Experts at the 17th Asian Leadership Conference discussed the challenges of meeting Paris Agreement goals as major emitters like the US and China stall. The conversation shifted toward viewing the green transition as a necessity for economic competitiveness and national energy security rather than just an environmental goal. Key highlights include Estonia's move toward small modular reactors to reduce fossil fuel dependency and South Korea's aggressive carbon reduction targets. Former IPCC Chairman Lee Hoesung argued that true neutrality requires decarbonizing industrial materials, not just the electricity grid.
