Ensuring an energy resilient Apec

LAPU LAPU CITY, Cebu—The 12th Apec Energy Ministers’ Meeting (EMM12) kicked off in Cebu, where more than 200 delegates from member-economies discuss ways of ensuring functioning power systems amid weather swings and surging demand, among others.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said energy ministers and private sector representatives convened for the EMM12 to discuss best practices on climate-proofing energy infrastructures, avenues for promoting cutting edge energy efficiency technologies and community-based clean energies.
More importantly, the meeting between energy ministers and company executives will set directions on how they can work together to ensure that resilient energy infrastructure will facilitate energy trade and investment in the Apec community.

Among the chief executives expected in the meetings are those from Japan, Korea and the United States.

The ministers are also expected to come up with what will be called “the Cebu Declaration” embodying and focusing on plans and strategies “Toward an Energy Resilient Apec Community.”

The Energy Working Group will be tasked by the energy ministers to develop and implement action plans to carry out the agreements that will be contained in the declaration. These may cover the following: Resiliency of energy infrastructures, energy investments, low carbon development/clean energy technologies, energy-water nexus, eco-tourism sites, regional standards on energy products and services, inventory and mapping of energy resources, human resources development and gender fair approaches in energy.

Proposals to double renewable energy capacities by 2030 from 2010 levels and reducing energy intensity by 45 percent by 2035 from 2005 levels are also up for discussion.

Although experiences vary in magnitude and complexity, Apec member-economies are undergoing policy and program shifts to promote climate change readiness and energy resiliency.

Likewise, member-economies will announce the chosen community for the Low Carbon Model Town (LCMT), which is a project of the Apec Energy Working Group to encourage communities in the region to embark on city planning initiatives promoting low carbon technologies to manage the rapidly increasing energy consumption and mitigate the adverse effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment. There are only three LCMT nominees, namely: Mandaue City, Philippines; Subang Jaya, Malaysia and Krasnoyarsk City, Russia.

In an effort to boost local tourism, the DOE, the tourism department and the local government of Cebu have arranged a Heritage Tour showcasing the culture and historic beauty of the province.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific.