16 July 2015: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies have announced accelerated support for sustainable city development in the region. According to the APEC Energy Working Group, APEC officials are advancing technical support for solar-powered, energy-efficient buildings and high efficiency lighting, improved vehicle fuel efficiency labeling and consumer information, and accessible green energy financing.

These efforts, discussed at the 49th Meeting of the Energy Working Group in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea, on 22-26 June 2015, aim to address the detrimental effects of rapid urbanization on the environment, energy security and economic growth. APEC members have previously committed to cooperation on the development, testing and deployment of new technologies and approaches in order to double their renewable energy use by 2030 and reduce energy intensity by 45%.

Phyllis Genther Yoshida, Energy Working Group Chair and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy, spoke on the need to increase access to clean, low-cost energy supplies to ensure the sustainability of urbanization, growth and improved living standards in the region. She stated that “Access to energy supplies must also be integrated with increased energy efficiency. Coordinated action that is timely, far-reaching and ambitious is central to APEC’s agenda.”

Among the initiatives APEC is undertaking are the Energy Smart Communities Initiative and Low Carbon Model Towns programme. Expansion of the latter programme will be considered by APEC Energy Ministers at their meeting on 12-14 October 2015 in Cebu, the Philippines. APEC members are also working to cut tariffs to 5% or less on 54 environmental goods including solar panels, wind turbines and air pollution control equipment. [APEC Press Release] [APEC Energy Working Group Webpage] [IISD RS Story on APEC Renewable Energy Goal]