For many, the 21st century will be remembered as the ‘Asian century’, due mainly to the extraordinary economic growth achieved by China, the Indian subcontinent and the countries of southeast Asia, which are growing exponentially across all parts of the global value chain. As well as increased demand for energy, Asia’s economic development has produced impressive results in terms of local populations gaining access to energy.

When it comes to energy supply and environmental concerns, the continent is facing up to the effects of its dependence on less sustainable sources of energy, such as coal, which continue to be of primary importance for electricity generation. Fighting pollution is a key priority, especially in China, but the need to reduce emissions and preserve the ecosystem will increasingly shape government choices and energy solutions throughout the region.

Asia’s current and prospective economic growth make it an excellent market for Eni’s operations, particularly those based on new technologies focusing on decarbonization and reuse of resources. We aim to produce natural gas for its host countries and to sell larger volumes of LNG in the region, which can replace coal and so greatly reduce emissions. Given Eni’s skills and innovation portfolio, there are ever-more opportunities for co-operation with regard to energy transition. These include the development of green products, promoting renewable energy and projects linked to the circular economy, including those relating to household waste and biomass. Alongside this, sustainability initiatives focused on education, healthcare and agriculture will benefit local populations.