The US and Israel’s war with Iran has triggered one of the biggest global energy shocks in decades. Asian economies, in particular, are facing disruptions to oil and gas supplies, while energy prices have surged worldwide. Climate activists say the shock should serve as a catalyst in the switch to renewable energy sources. 

Harjeet Singh, Strategic Adviser at the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative and Founding Director of Satat Sampada, says the conflict "has exposed a fatal flaw, that is Asia's overwhelming and unsustainable reliance on imported fossil fuels. For the Global South, transitioning to renewables is no longer just about meeting climate targets – it's about energy security and sovereignty." 

He cites Nepal and Pakistan as examples of countries which have already adopted renewable energy sources and are better equipped to withstand the shock. "Nepal has electrified its transport sector much faster. We've seen Pakistan importing 35 gigawatts of renewable energy, and a quarter of the population that is now  dependent on those renewable energy sources are able to deal with  the crisis much better. So  there is also a lesson in this crisis." 

While high petrol prices are pushing more French drivers towards electric vehicles, Singh says consumer demand can drive policy change. "We see that happening in the region, and in India in particular the middle class is very inclined to adopt EVs (...)  If you compare what's happening in the West, where EVs are generally luxury passenger cars, whereas the revolution that we see in the Global South and particularly India is heavily driven by two-wheelers and three-wheelers."