Energy officials from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) are intensifying their collaborative efforts to accelerate progress towards a clean energy transition while ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the region. During the recent meeting of the APEC Energy Working Group (EWG) on May 21-22, Ariadne BenAissa, the Lead Shepherd of the EWG, emphasized the significance of energy as the foundation of economies and the enabler of all other activities. However, she also acknowledged that current energy systems are the primary contributors to climate change, posing the greatest existential threat.
According to APEC, the region accounted for 59 percent of the global total primary energy supply in 2020. Fossil fuels dominate APEC's energy mix, constituting 86 percent of the total primary energy supply and 75 percent of electricity generation, as highlighted in a statement released by the group. Despite this dominance, APEC is witnessing a rapid growth in renewable energy and is surpassing its existing goals of doubling renewable energy and improving energy intensity.
Elizabeth Urbanas, the United States Co-Chair of the EWG, acknowledged the collaborative efforts made thus far to enhance energy security, promote renewable energy deployment, and reduce energy intensity. However, she stressed the need to strengthen energy ambitions to expedite progress while safeguarding vulnerable populations affected by climate change. As the host of APEC 2023, the United States has proposed the adoption of a new aggregate goal for decarbonizing the power sector. This includes a target for carbon-free or carbon-neutral electricity sources by 2035. Urbanas also emphasized the importance of reducing methane emissions through measures such as leak detection, methane abatement technologies, and sustained commitment to these endeavors.
In addition to addressing the technical aspects of the energy transition, APEC recognizes the necessity of taking care of the people in the region as economies adapt to new energy paradigms. In a policy dialogue on just energy transition preceding the meeting, energy officials, experts, academia, and civil society explored practical actions that member economies could consider. These actions involve reducing reliance on fossil fuels for power and energy production while increasing the adoption of clean energy sources. The dialogue also underscored the importance of inclusivity and supporting various segments of the workforce, including women, small and medium enterprises, and others with untapped economic potential.
While discussions revolve around offshore wind deployment, hydrogen infrastructure, and digital solar mapping, BenAissa emphasized that the core focus remains on taking care of people. The efforts to accelerate the clean energy transition in the APEC region must prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities, ensuring that no one is left behind in this transformative process.
