Facing the stagnation of the clean energy transition to combat climate change, energy ministers from APEC economies convened at the 14th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting in Lima to shape effective policies and foster partnerships to spur efforts for sustainable and inclusive transitions across the Asia-Pacific region.
The meeting, chaired by Peru's Minister of Energy and Mines Rómulo Mucho, focused on innovative strategies, capacity building, public-private partnerships, and equitable energy access, with a special emphasis on the development of clean and low-carbon hydrogen and the need to safeguard these transitions to be inclusive for people and communities.
"When Peru decided to assume the presidency of APEC 2024 under the theme of Empower. Include. Growth., we set one of our priorities to be sustainable growth for resilient development, with the latter mainly focusing on the promotion of transition to clean energies," said Minister Mucho in his opening remarks at the meeting.
"This recognizes the need to intensify efforts to accelerate clean, sustainable, just, affordable and inclusive energy transition," Minister Mucho added.
Ministers engaged in a robust discussion on how APEC economies can leverage innovative technologies to ensure just, inclusive, and sustainable energy transitions, at the same time addressing potential socio-economic impacts this transitions on vulnerable populations, so that the benefits of clean energy can be distributed across all segments of the society.
In her report to the ministers, Ariadne BenAissa, lead shepherd of the APEC Energy Working Group, highlighted an aquavoltaics development project in Chinese Taipei, one of the 10 winners of the 6th APEC Energy Smart Communities Initiative Best Practices Awards, as a "perfect example of a just transition effort that would be beneficial to learn from throughout APEC."
"The aquavoltaics project in Chinese Taipei involved working with local communities to install solar panels on ponds used for fish farming," reported BenAissa. "What is especially notable about this case is that the project implementers were able to go from strong opposition from the community to full support through stakeholder engagement," she explained.
The importance of enhancing energy access in rural and remote areas was highlighted as a key driver for sustainable growth. Ministers explored effective policies and technologies that can overcome barriers to energy access, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and vulnerable populations. The discussion stressed the need for targeted government interventions to unlock untapped economic potential through improved energy access.
"While we have done well, we can do more in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energy," said Dr Rebecca Sta Maria, the Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat. "APEC is known as an incubator of ideas. As such we must lead in promoting clean and low-carbon energy transitions."
Ministers also endorsed the "APEC Policy Guidance to Develop and Implement Low-Carbon Hydrogen Policy Frameworks in the Asia-Pacific" -a pivotal document aimed at guiding APEC economies in their hydrogen development strategies. This policy guidance is expected to play a crucial role in the region's transition to clean and low-carbon energy, contributing to long-term sustainability goals.
"This innovative document proposes key areas to advance the implementation, such as standards and certifications, value chains, research, finance and investment, and public awareness, and emphasizes the relevance of the principles of coherence and inclusiveness," said Ambassador Carlos Vasquez, 2024 Chair of APEC Senior Officials' Meeting.
"Increasing the share of renewable energy in our energy mix is crucial in addressing the severe impacts of climate change," Minister Mucho concluded. "To achieve this, I reaffirm Peru's commitment to advancing the transition to clean and low-carbon energy."
