APEC Energy Ministers Adopt Framework on Energy Resiliency

Lapu-Lapu City (PNA) — Energy ministers of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies on Tuesday came up with a framework on energy resiliency at the conclusion of the 12th APEC Energy Ministers’ Meeting (EMM) here.

In a joint press conference, Department of Energy officer-in-charge and Chair of this year’s EMM, Secretary Zenaida Monsada, announced that in the said framework, the energy ministers of the 21 APEC member economies agreed that climate proofing of energy Infrastructure is a significant endeavor toward energy resiliency.

Monsada said the ministers adopted the recommendation of the APEC Energy Working Group (EWG) to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of energy efficiency.

“We agreed to develop minimum energy performance standards and explore the potential adoption of vehicle efficiency standards,” she said.

The recommendation also involves equal and gender-fair human resource capacity development, Monsada added.

Ministers likewise agreed to explore strategies to drive the shift toward green building via energy efficiency measures.

According to Monsada, the ministers also agreed to improve energy trade and investment in the APEC community.

She noted that the signing of the Joint Statement on EWG puts in place a platform for cooperation on broad areas.

Monsada said to support the collective efforts of expert groups are the two centers of excellence of the APEC energy cooperation — the Asia-Pacific Energy Research Centre, and the APEC Sustainable Energy Center.

The EWG has also recommended coming up with an energy eco-tourism development framework.

Monsada further announced that Mandaue City in Cebu has been chosen as the APEC’s Low Carbon Model Town Project.

This entitles Mandaue City to a study grant to determine measures to realize targets for green technology opportunities.

Meanwhile, APEC Executive Director Alan Bollard announced that in areas of cooperation in energy, APEC has a connectivity blueprint in place.

For his part, Australian Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said the issue of energy access is one of the important ones discussed during the ministerial meeting.

“What we are doing here in terms of enhancing infrastructure is sharing best practices,” said Frydenberg. (PNA) LGI/PND/EDS