The push for renewable energy in Southeast Asia has triggered a mining boom for minerals crucial for clean energy technologies. However, mining for these minerals, such as cobalt, is leading to social unrest, conflicts, and human rights abuses according to a report by Global Witness. This highlights the darker side of the clean energy transition, necessitating tougher standards and protections against such negative impacts. The growing demand for renewable energy, as discussed in the upcoming COP29 summit, is underscored by the social and environmental costs associated with its supply chain. Moreover, the transition from fossil fuel-based energy sources to renewable alternatives, such as in Indonesia, faces challenges related to grid stability costs and the potential replicability of early coal retirement models. These factors bring out the complex dilemmas and intricacies involved in the energy transition, while emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions and strategies that consider environmental, social, and economic aspects. Similarly, in South Asia, the surge in solar energy projects is creating conflicts over land use in countries like India and Bangladesh, signaling the competing demands arising from a renewable energy push. As the world leans towards sustainable energy, it is imperative to address these socio-environmental challenges, ensuring that the clean energy transition does not come at the cost of human rights violations, land conflicts, or unaddressed financial implications.