[Post 1653] Could spending more to prevent haze save Southeast Asia billions?

Summary

Southeast Asia has spent decades dealing with recurring haze – and the economic losses can run into billions of dollars. Indonesia’s 2015 fires were estimated to have cost its economy US$16.1 billion, while the 2019 fires caused another US$5.2 billion in damage and economic losses. CNA’s Olivia Marzuki examines whether greater investment in prevention could reduce the cost of haze, why such measures remain difficult to fund, and who should pay for them.