Singapore Think Tank Warns of High Risk of Severe Transboundary Haze

Southeast Asia faces a high risk of severe transboundary haze episodes in the remaining months of 2026, with August and September identified as the peak danger period triggered by the El Niño weather phenomenon and the Indian Ocean Dipole, according to the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) on Wednesday (24/6). In its Haze Outlook 2026 report, the Singapore-based think tank issued a ‘Red’ risk rating, only the second time it has done so since the annual assessment was launched in 2019. The warning covers Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The report details that the potential return of El Niño conditions and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole could lead to hotter and drier weather, thereby increasing the risk of forest and land fires across the region. The institute also cited economic and market pressures, including rising demand for agricultural commodities and biofuels, which could potentially increase incentives for land clearing if not managed sustainably. Furthermore, the report calls for closer ASEAN cooperation, increased funding, and stronger implementation of haze prevention measures to mitigate the risk.