Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister is travelling to Japan to represent Australia at a new regional initiative focussed on reducing emissions in Asian nations while maintaining energy security and sustainable economic growth.
Assistant Minister McAllister is set to represent Australia at the first ministerial meeting of the Asia Zero Emissions Community, along with representatives from 11 Asian nations.
The inaugural meeting of the community will take place in Tokyo on 4 March and Assistant Minister McAllister said it was an important event.
"Asia remains the engine room of the global economy and at the centre of energy demand expansion. Emissions reduction in Asia is vital for our collective efforts to tackle climate change," she said.
"I welcome the Japanese Government's initiative in bringing together Asian nations to discuss decarbonisation and the regional energy transition.
"I am looking forward to hearing from other ministers, and Australia is committed to working constructively with partners to share perspective and discuss our different challenges.
"Australia is capitalising on its renewable energy resources to develop new energy export industries. Through building these new industries, Australia has an opportunity to support emissions reduction in Asia and create new sources of economic prosperity."
According to the IEA, energy demand in southeast Asia has increased, on average, by 3% a year over the past 20 years, and this trend is expected to continue. Three-quarters of the increase in energy demand to 2030 is expected to be met by fossil fuels, leading to almost 35 per cent increase in CO2 emissions.
In the lead-up to the meeting, on 3 March, Assistant Minister McAllister will attend a Public Private Investment Forum in Tokyo that will focus on Australia-Japan cooperation on the energy transition.
Assistant Minister McAllister will leave for Japan on 1 March and return to Australia on 5 March.
