Catching Up On Climate 2026 Episode 3 | Peter Zaman, Partner, HFW Singapore

Decarbonization is shifting from a sustainability-driven endeavor to a strategic imperative centered on energy security and economic competitiveness. Geopolitical disruptions, such as conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, have forced nations to prioritize self-sufficiency, effectively making security of supply the primary driver for the energy transition. This shift rebalances the "energy triangle," where affordability and security now often outweigh environmental idealism. Consequently, nuclear power is re-emerging as a vital baseload solution to meet rising electricity demands from data centers, while the Paris Agreement increasingly functions as a tool for trade policy through mechanisms like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). As countries navigate this multipolar landscape, the pursuit of low-carbon energy is becoming less about carbon pricing and more about insulating domestic economies from volatile global energy markets.