16 Jan 2007 - Cebu, the Philippines – A declaration on
regional energy security signed by 16 leaders of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a first step in a
process that needs to be taken forward and strengthened
if it is going to have any impact on greenhouse gas emissions
and the effects of climate change on the region, says WWF.
The Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security is the
first ever regional statement on the need to tackle climate
change. Although the statement falls short of what will
be needed to face up to the clean energy transformation
needed in the region, WWF agrees with the declaration's
call for decreasing dependence on oil and increasing reliance
on renewable energy sources.
"Climate change clearly poses a major threat to the
livelihoods and environments of the ASEAN region, "
stressed Hans Verolme, Director of WWF's Global Climate
Change Programme.
"The most efficient and economic way to reduce oil
dependence will be through a stronger region-wide effort
on energy efficiency. Little will be achieved without targets
and a regional target on reducing energy intensity could
be a next step."
WWF believes ASEAN countries should constructively engage
in the negotiations towards a meaningful Kyoto-Plus agreement
that will keep the world safe from dangerous climate change.
The developed economies need to commit to further deeper
emissions reduction targets, whereas emerging economies
need to consider how to put their economies on the path
towards a low-carbon future.
The acknowledgement of the growing need for renewable energy
is positive, but the 16 signatory nations will need to implement
new incentives and regulations if these cleaner energy sources
are to become a major source of energy.
In particular, WWF supports the advancement of biofuels
but warns that if these fuels are developed unsustainably
there will be loss of Asia's rich biodiversity.
"The transition to clean energy is full of opportunities
for reducing our dependence on volatile energy imports,
creating new energy efficient technologies and opening new
green markets for goods and services," Verolme said.
END NOTES:
• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is
a regional political and economic organization that includes
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The ASEAN region has a population of about 500 million,
a total area of 4.5 million square kilometers, a combined
gross domestic product of almost US$700 billion, and a total
trade of about US$ 850 billion (Source: ASEAN Secretariat).
• The ten ASEAN countries signed the Cebu Declaration on
East Asian Energy Security together with China, Japan, South
Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
Brian Thomson, Press Officer
WWF International
