APEC 2014: Climate Change is important because APEC economies account for approximately 60 percent of world energy consumption

As the region becomes increasingly industrialised and the population shifts from rural to urban areas, these consumption levels will continue to rise. The use of fossil fuels to satisfy demand results in greenhouse gas emission and this causes climate change - also known as "global warming." Climate change can cause extreme weather conditions, damage and deplete natural resources and accelerate the spread of disease. This impacts both individuals and economies, at large, with developing economies experiencing the most adverse effects. In addition, climate change is believed to contribute to the increasing number of natural disasters, about 70 percent of which occur in the Asia-Pacific region. The APEC commitment to climate change In 2007, APEC Leaders proposedi a regional goal to reduce energy intensity by at least 25 percentii by 2030. In 2011, APEC Leaders set a higher target to reduce energy intensity by at least 45 percent by 2035. To this end, APEC Ministers determined to improve energy efficiency and support the use of cleaner and more efficient energy technologies by setting individual goals and action plans; collaborating with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to develop energy efficiency indicators; sharing information on energy efficiency policies and measures; and encouraging APEC economies to contribute to and utilise the APEC Energy Standards Information System (ESIS). Economies are held accountable through the APEC Peer Review Mechanism on Energy Efficiency. This peer review is also a vehicle for economies to share their respective policies, experiences, information and ultimately to improve energy efficiency. How APEC assists economies to meet their climate change goals Many established APEC Working groups assist economies meet climate change goals: The Energy Working Group : informs energy policymakers, draws advice from the business community and industry experts, and collaborates with other international bodies, including the IEA, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership and the Energy Charter Secretariat. The Asia-Pacific Network for Energy Technology : enables economies to collaborate in energy research in the region, particularly in areas such as clean fossil energy and renewable energy resources. The Energy Security Initiative : comprises short-term measures and long-term policy responses to address the challenges facing the region's energy supply. The Environmental Goods and Services Work Programme This year, as APEC Trade Ministers prepared for economic recovery, they recognised climate change as "one of the biggest challenges confronting the world" and determined to "ensure that economic growth is consistent with environmental sustainability." In order to support the development of the Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) Sector and to coordinate relevant APEC projects, the EGS Work Programme comprises four main components: Developing new and better environmental goods and services through innovation, research and development; Focus efforts and investment to increase the supply of cleaner and more energy efficient technologies; Support projects that facilitate and liberalise trade in environmental goods and services; and Create incentive for the market to increase research and development and investment in environmental goods and services. i. APEC Leaders' Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development ii. Using 2005 levels as a baseline for measurement For more information, contact: media@apec.org