SINGAPORE, Singapore, August 29, 2007.
Countries in southeast Asia must adopt binding targets for renewables and energy efficiency in order to mitigate climate change, according to the environmental group Greenpeace.
Energy ministers from the ten-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as China, Japan and Korea (ASEAN+3), met to discuss energy security and cooperation on energy issues. The agenda included a discussion of nuclear energy in the region; Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam have said they want to develop atomic power by 2020.
By shifting to renewables, Asia could save US$2 trillion in fossil fuel costs over the next 23 years while reducing GHG emissions by 22% from 2003 levels, say Greenpeace officials. A recent joint report by Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council said the adoption of proposals for nuclear power are dangerous due to the inherent risks nuclear power poses, in addition to ASEAN's geologically unstable areas and governance problems.
A final statement of the meeting noted the significant achievements gained in strengthening and furthering the cooperation of countries on energy under the five program areas, of which renewables is one, along with energy security, oil market, oil stockpiling, natural gas and energy efficiency and conservation. Noting the prevailing situation of instability of energy prices, limited reserves of fossil fuels and growing concern on the environment, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ensure energy security in the region.
They agreed to improve energy efficiency where possible in all sectors, through setting individual goals and formulating action plans for improving efficiency. They welcomed the positive developments in the use of renewables, acknowledging the initiatives of countries to develop, produce and utilise biofuels in a sustainable manner, and agreed to forge further regional cooperative partnership to promote solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and biomass energy.
“As one of the fastest growing regions, ASEAN requires increasing energy supplies,” said the deputy prime minister of Singapore, S Jayakumar, in opening the conference. The four key priorities for the group are improving energy efficiency, development of competitive regional energy markets, promoting a clean environment and the signing of a memorandum of understanding on a regional power grid.
ASEAN comprises Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. The region is ranked as the third highest in CO2 emissions among developing countries, following China and India.
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