South-east Asia office workers swelter in energy-saving drive, heatwave

The New Normal for the Southeast Asian Office: Balancing Comfort and Crisis

For decades, the “frozen office” was a staple of corporate life in Southeast Asia. From Bangkok to Manila, air conditioning was often cranked to maximum, forcing employees to maintain sweaters at their desks despite the tropical heat outside. Today, that paradigm is shifting rapidly.

Driven by a combination of geopolitical instability—specifically the energy reserves drained by the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz—and extreme weather, governments are redefining what a productive workplace looks like. We are seeing a transition from mindless cooling to strategic energy conservation.

Redefining Comfort and Dress Codes

Temperature controls are no longer just suggestions. they are mandates. In Thailand, public sector offices have been directed to set air-conditioner temperatures between 26°C and 27°C. In the Philippines and Malaysia, the benchmark has been set at 24°C.

While some employees uncover this adjustment challenging—with some noting it can feel “hard to breathe” during peak heat—others see it as a necessary correction. In Malaysia, some workers have noted that the previous settings were unnecessarily cold, making the current shift a welcome change.

To compensate for warmer interiors, the professional dress code is evolving. We are seeing a move toward “ASEAN-inspired” or traditional attire. For example, the Philippines has allowed light, collared shirts in certain government offices, while Malaysia is promoting the use of traditional cotton batik shirts to keep workers cool without relying solely on electricity.

Beyond the Oil Shock: The Looming Food Crisis

The current energy crisis is not happening in a vacuum. Southeast Asia is facing what experts call a “double whammy”: the intersection of geopolitical energy shocks and the onset of the El Nino weather system.

El Nino is expected to trigger extreme heat, increasing the probability of both droughts and floods. This creates a dangerous chain reaction. Droughts can wither essential crops such as rice, palm oil, rubber, and sugar, while simultaneously depleting the water levels in dams used for hydroelectric power.

According to analysis from HSBC Holdings, if these conflicts persist alongside worsening weather, the region’s economies could shift from facing a primary oil shock to a secondary food shock. This intersection threatens not only economic growth but basic food security for millions.

Accelerating the Green Transition

While the current measures are born out of necessity, they are accelerating long-term strategies for energy independence. The reliance on imported crude oil is being viewed as a strategic vulnerability, leading to a faster rollout of alternative fuels.

Two notable trends are emerging in the region’s energy mix:

• Biofuel Expansion: Thailand is actively planning to increase its use of biofuel blends to dampen the demand for crude oil.
• Biodiesel Acceleration: Indonesia is speeding up the rollout of higher biodiesel blends, moving the timeline forward significantly to meet urgent energy needs.

These shifts represent a move toward a more circular economy, where regional agricultural strengths are leveraged to solve energy deficits.

The Economic Ripple Effect: Inflation and Fiscal Shifts

The financial burden of energy instability is trickling down to the consumer. Several nations, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, have had to sharply raise retail prices for petrol and diesel given that maintaining subsidies has become fiscally unsustainable.

This shift is leading to “demand destruction,” where consumers simply use less fuel because of the cost. While this helps reduce overall demand, it also contributes to faster inflation and higher fiscal deficits for countries heavily reliant on energy imports.

In Singapore, the approach has been more focused on efficiency. Government agencies are managing the operating times of elevators and lighting, while residents are encouraged to use government vouchers to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Southeast Asian offices getting warmer?
Governments have imposed temperature controls (typically between 24°C and 27°C) to conserve energy reserves that have been drained due to geopolitical conflicts and the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.

How is El Nino affecting the region’s energy and food security?
El Nino brings extreme heat and drought, which can damage key crops like rice and palm oil and lower water levels in hydroelectric dams, increasing the risk of a food shock alongside the existing energy crisis.

What are countries doing to reduce their dependence on crude oil?
Countries like Thailand and Indonesia are accelerating the adoption of biofuel and biodiesel blends to create a more sustainable and independent energy supply.

Are there changes to workplace dress codes because of the heat?
Yes. To adapt to warmer offices, some governments are encouraging traditional, breathable clothing, such as cotton batik in Malaysia or light, collared shirts in the Philippines.