Surging energy costs could cripple ASEAN economies, new study warns
The goal of the research was to understand what factors affect energy efficiency in ASEAN countries. The researchers used data from nine Southeast Asian countries between 2001-2014 and a method called Arellano Bond Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) panel data analysis. They found that higher GDP per capita and lower energy prices lead to better energy efficiency, while higher energy consumption per capita reduces energy efficiency. Trade openness and foreign direct investment did not have a significant impact on energy intensity.