Transboundary Environmental Governance in the Eu and Southeast Asia: Contesting Hybridity in the Biofuels and Palm Oil Regimes

Abstract

The research addresses the complexities of the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directives (EU RED and RED II), contextualising them within the palm oil sector in Southeast Asia, in which Indonesia and Malaysia are known to be the two largest producers and exporters of palm oil. It aims to question the effect of this expanding role of markets on power dynamics and political processes. Examining these developments at different organisational scales highlights the asymmetrical power relations that circulate through such transboundary networks to shape patterns of resource access and the distribution of environmental risks. Employing a qualitative approach, the research uses case study method to reflect on how market forces and broad political dynamics establish the hybrid environmental governance regime of biofuels. The research concludes that this transboundary market approach to biofuels and palm oil should be regarded with caution, as it (1) lowers regulatory quality within the biofuels sustainability regime, (2) undermines the sustainable palm oil market, and (3) indirectly bolsters unsustainable practices outside the palm oil sector.

Just Transition in Biofuel Development towards Low-Carbon Economy: Multi-Actor Perspectives on Policies and Practices in Indonesia

“…ILUC refers to clearing land originally destined for crop cultivation and feed markets induced by the diversion of the cropland for biofuel production. RED II targets feedstocks like palm oil that drive deforestation in tropical regions when diverted for European biofuel manufacturing [59]. It directly affects CPO-based biofuels from Indonesia, which are classified as high ILUC risk.…”

European Union Agreement in Oil Sector: a Systematic Literatur Review

“…Also, Researcher named Ibanez, J (2020) who discusses Spain and Italy, the main sector as energy production or synthesis of bio-lubricants is one of the most relevant priorities in the European Union normative context In many countries, the development of new production processes based on circular economy models , as well as future energy definitions and production targets, involve the utilization of waste as a raw material. Then according to Varkkey, H (2021) in the palm oil sector in Southeast Asia, where Indonesia and Malaysia are known as the two largest producers and exporters of palm oil. It aims to question the effect of the expanding role of the market on power dynamics and political processes.…”

Enhancing Global IR Knowledge Production in Southeast Asia Through Quality Publications

“…This is important because JAS, although it claims to be an IR journal, focuses on Southeast Asia and ASEAN as its empirical issues. We publish articles that engage in the issue of transnational environmental governance in Southeast Asia (Varkkey, 2021), domestic issues of particular ASEAN member countries such as the president public speech (Tyson & Apresian, 2021), to comparative analysis of two ASEAN member states focusing on how states policing cyberspace (Talamayan, 2020). However, we expect that such area studies could contribute to the particular debate.…”