Southeast Asia's latest climate outlook survey shows majority support for faster coal phaseout and carbon pricing. The ISEAS survey found 50.3% of respondents want existing coal plants closed or retired quickly, while only 9.2% support building new ones. Support for a carbon tax reached 62%, including clear majorities in the five largest ASEAN emitters. The public also backs cutting fossil fuel subsidies, with 41% in favor versus 17.9% against, though support is weaker in Brunei and Malaysia. Solar is the top clean energy choice in 9 of 11 ASEAN states. The survey suggests governments have more room to push energy transition policy than many assume, but implementation will still depend on funding, grid capacity, and subsidy reform politics.
