SIIA’s Haze Outlook 2026 report received strong media coverage across Singapore and the region following its launch on 24 June 2026, with leading international, regional, and local media highlighting its rare “Red” risk warning of a severe transboundary haze episode in Southeast Asia during the second half of 2026.
Coverage highlighted the report’s assessment that a convergence of El Niño conditions, a possible positive Indian Ocean Dipole, economic pressures, and rising biofuel demand could increase the risk of forest and peatland fires across the region.
SIIA Chairman Simon Tay was quoted across multiple reports, emphasising that while weather conditions point to a challenging dry season, governments, businesses and communities have an important role to play in strengthening fire prevention, climate resilience and ASEAN cooperation.
The report also underscored the importance of sustainable land management, continued investment in fire prevention, and regional collaboration to reduce haze risks.
Read the Haze Outlook 2026 report: https://siiaonline.org/report-haze-outlook-2026
Read the media release: https://siiaonline.org/siia-haze-outlook-2026-media-release
Selected Media Coverage
The Straits Times: High risk of severe haze in Singapore and South-east Asia in second half of the year
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/red-alert-high-risk-of-haze-in-se-asia-and-spore-amid-planet-warming-el-nino-biofuel-demand
Lianhe Zaobao (联合早报): 智库发“红色预警”：下半年或现严重跨境烟霾 尤其8至9月
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260624-9253345
Channel NewsAsia (CNA): High risk of severe haze for rest of 2026 amid El Niño, biofuel demand and Indonesia budget cuts: Report
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/severe-haze-risk-southeast-asia-el-nino-indonesia-prabowo-subianto-6203041
The Business Times: Haze beckons as South-east Asia’s planters come under strain. A ‘Godzilla’ El Nino may just be the start
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/haze-beckons-south-east-asias-planters-come-under-strain-godzilla-el-nino-may-just-be-start
Bloomberg: El Niño Is Raising the Risk of Severe Haze in Southeast Asia
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-24/el-nino-is-raising-the-risk-of-severe-haze-in-southeast-asia
Reuters: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei face high risk of severe haze this year, think tank says
https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/singapore-indonesia-malaysia-brunei-face-high-risk-severe-haze-this-year-think-2026-06-24
Bernama: Southeast Asia On Red Alert For Severe Transboundary Haze Risk In 2026 – Report
https://asean.bernama.com/news.php?id=2572577
The Jakarta Post: High transboundary haze risk puts Indonesian policy to test: Report
https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/06/25/high-transboundary-haze-risk-puts-indonesian-policy-to-test-report
