Is the Coral Triangle Losing Ground to Fossil Fuels?

Fossil fuel expansion is destroying vibrant marine life and livelihoods in the Coral Triangle. If this is not stopped, a vast amount of environmentally sensitive regions, including 24% of the area's coral reefs, will suffer irrevocable damage. Communities across the Coral Triangle will not allow this to happen, especially when we have an abundant potential of renewables that we can instead tap for energy needs without destroying our coasts and seas.”

Gerry Arances, Executive Director, Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED)

The Coral Triangle is home to 76% of the world's coral species, earning it the nickname "Amazon of the seas."

The Coral Triangle, spanning seven Southeast Asian nations and covering 10 million square kilometers, faces increasing pressure from fossil fuel development. Expansion threatens critical marine ecosystems and could severely impact the region's $3 billion fishing industry and booming marine tourism sector, as oil and gas operations overlap significant portions of marine protected areas. Over 450 blocks, an area larger than Indonesia, pose potential risks that could be catastrophic for local economies and biodiversity.

Report Highlights Fossil Fuel Threats to Marine Biodiversity

According to the report Coral Triangle at Risk: Fossil Fuel Threats and Impacts by Earth Insight, SkyTruth, and CEED Philippines, oil and gas concessions intersect tens of thousands of kilometers of protected marine habitats, exposing the region to economic risks tied to environmental damage. 

Key findings include:

• Over 100 offshore oil and gas blocks are currently active, covering more than 120,000 square kilometers of marine area—about 1% of the Coral Triangle.
• Fossil fuel blocks intersect with 24% of coral reefs, 22% of seagrass areas, and 37% of mangroves.
• 11% of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) in the Coral Triangle overlap with fossil fuel extraction zones.
• Since 2020, 793 oil slicks have been recorded in the region, with 98% caused by transiting vessels dumping untreated oily wastewater.

The combined environmental risks of fossil fuel development, including methane leaks from LNG tankers and oil spills, pose major threats to the Southeast Asian economy. This expansion could impact fishing, tourism, and other industries heavily reliant on healthy ecosystems.

Rising Energy Investments in Southeast Asia Raise Concerns

Between 2016 and 2022, Southeast Asian countries invested more than $30 billion in LNG infrastructure, expanding fossil fuel operations and amplifying the risks of oil spills and chronic pollution. With more oil slicks recorded in the Coral Triangle, the risk to marine habitats grows as energy infrastructure increases. The financial and environmental stakes are high for industries that rely on clean ecosystems, such as fishing, tourism, and shipping.

The Coral Triangle, already a busy global shipping route, faces increased tanker traffic, raising the likelihood of methane emissions from LNG operations. Methane has 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide, pushing the region toward environmental tipping points that could trigger long-term economic consequences for Southeast Asia.

Recommendations for Sustainable Development in the Coral Triangle

The report calls for several urgent actions to address risks posed by fossil fuel expansion, including:

• Ban Industrial Activities in Sensitive Areas: Enact a moratorium on oil, gas, and mining in environmentally sensitive areas to safeguard ecosystems and local economies.
• Adopt Renewable Energy Solutions: Transition directly to long-term clean energy sources, bypassing LNG as a transition fuel.
• Designate the Coral Triangle as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA): Grant the Coral Triangle enhanced protections to prevent harmful maritime impacts, highlighting its ecological and socio-economic importance.

Protecting the Coral Triangle’s biodiversity is essential to sustain its role in the global marine economy and secure the livelihoods of millions who rely on its resources. The financial stakes are high, as unchecked fossil fuel development threatens not only marine ecosystems but also the economic future of Southeast Asia.