Asia-Pacific Progress in Sustainable Energy
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A Global Tracking Framework 2017 Regional Assessment Report Asia-Pacific Progress in Sustainable Energy United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the regional development arm of the United Nations and serves as the main economic and social development centre for the United Nations in Asia and the Pacific. Its mandate is to foster cooperation among its 53 members and nine associate members. ESCAP provides the strategic link between global and country-level programmes and issues. It supports governments of the region in consolidating regional positions and advocates regional approaches to meeting the region’s unique socioeconomic challenges in a globalizing world. The shaded areas of the map indicate ESCAP members and associate members. Information and statistics presented in this publication include only those member and associate member States located in the Asia-Pacific region. The ESCAP office is located in Bangkok, Thailand. Please visit our website at http://www.unescap.org for further information. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontier or boundaries. Asia-Pacific Progress in Sustainable Energy: A Global Tracking Framework 2017 Regional Assessment Report United Nations publication Sales no. E.18.II.F.8 Copyright © United Nations 2017 All rights reserved Printed in Bangkok ISBN: 978-92-1-120768-2 eISBN: 978-92-1-362960-4 ST/ESCAP/2812 This publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for educational or non-pro t purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided that the source is acknowledged. The ESCAP Publications Office would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a source. No use may be made of this publication for resale or any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission. Applications for such permission, with a statement of the purpose and extent of reproduction, should be addressed to the Secretary of the Publications Board, United Nations, New York. Cover image © Asian Development Bank/Flickr.com i ForEwOrd Sustainable energy will play a central role in building a future based on sustainable development. Secure, clean and affordable energy is needed to address poverty, underpin economic growth and social development, while minimizing environmental pollution and mitigating climate change. The centrality of energy to economic progress, human welfare and environmental well-being is acknowledged by the 2030 Agenda, which includes a dedicated goal on sustainable energy incorporating targets for renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access. In support of this goal, the Global Tracking Framework (GTF) offers a valuable tool for policymakers and stakeholders to take stock of how the Asia-Pacific region is progressing on shared goals in the areas of energy access, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. This report is the result of collaboration between agencies under the GTF consortium and offers a detailed overview of the results achieved to date. It highlights examples of positive actions and progress, and pinpoints areas requiring additional attention. There are significant challenges in realizing these goals. Across the Asia-Pacific, an estimated 420 million people lack access to electricity and nearly half the region’s population still relies on polluting and unhealthy cooking fuels and technologies. Significant energy access disparities exist between rural and urban populations. Rural populations, in particular, women and children, bear the largest burden of energy poverty. Though much progress has been made, particularly in rural electrification, bridging the remaining gaps are difficult, calling for a focus on implementation by the region’s policymakers. We are continually reminded of the consequences of air pollution and climate change in our region, which are primarily the result of our reliance on fossil fuels. Renewable energy is a key solution to these challenges. The Asia-Pacific region leads the world in renewable energy installation. Yet further efforts are needed to expand the role of renewable energy within the energy mix. Greater investment, a supportive policy environment and innovative business models are needed to accelerate the transition towards a cleaner energy future. Energy efficiency holds enormous promise to both decarbonize our energy systems and drive more productive economies. Over the past decade, the region has made significant progress in decoupling energy demand from economic output through energy efficiency, with significant advancements occurring in the industrial sector. Innovative technology has been developed, with countries such as China and Japan acting as global leaders. Nonetheless, Asia and the Pacific remains one of the most energy-intensive among the global regions, and the uptake of energy efficiency measures varies greatly among member States. Given the scale and complexity of the challenges facing sustainable energy, regional cooperation is instrumental in developing comprehensive, integrated and durable solutions. Countries of the region have already demonstrated their capacity for cooperation. In 2013, ministers convened the first Asia Pacific Energy Forum (APEF), which set an ambitious sustainable energy agenda, exhibiting the leadership of regional policymakers. Since then, regional momentum has been building with the addition of interlinked objectives and commitments made under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement. In 2017, a significant milestone was reached with the establishment of the ESCAP Committee on Energy. A dedicated Asia-Pacific intergovernmental platform on energy was created. In April 2018, the second APEF will be held to review and shape the regional energy agenda. A Global Tracking Framework 2017 Regional Assessment Report Asia-Pacific Progress in Sustainable Energy ii This regional analysis under the Global Tracking Framework report plays a key role in assessing the efforts and progress in the three critical areas of sustainable energy, helping policymakers identify the most urgent areas for action. The region needs to work towards providing all people with vital energy services; and to fast track a transition towards low-carbon, nonpolluting energy, with increased energy efficiency. ESCAP as the regional arm of the United Nations in the Asia-Pacific region, will continue to provide a platform that brings governments, development partners, civil society and the private sector together. We strive to build new partnerships and strengthen ongoing collaborations, including with our regional partner, the Asian Development Bank, to support our members in their efforts. I believe this report provides a practical contribution to regional dialogue among the many stakeholders who will contribute to the realization of our shared vision for sustainable energy. Shamshad Akhtar Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Executive Summary iii Executive Summary Background Progress in access to energy: According to the GTF data, China achieved electrification universal access in 2014. During the The Asia-Pacific region comprises 58 period 2012-2014, Afghanistan, Bhutan, economies,1 ranging from developed to Key Figures Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic least-developed, with a population of 4.3 Republic, the Marshall Islands and Nepal billion, representing 60 per cent of the world More than 421 million people, or 9.7 reported some of the region’s most rapid total. Economies of the region produce per cent of the Asia-Pacific population, progress in raising their electrification rates. approximately one third of the world’s gross remained without access to electricity in Approaches varied, but countries such as domestic product (GDP) and consume more 2014. 389 million of those are located Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic than half of the global energy supply. In in rural areas. Republic combined grid extensions with 2014, Asia and the Pacific was responsible broad solar home system distribution efforts for 55 per cent of global emissions from fuel Between 2012 and 2014, an estimated to boost rural electrification. Other countries, combustion, nearly two thirds of which were 93.1 million people in Asia and the such as India and Nepal, have demonstrated from coal. Eighty-three of the world’s top Pacific gained access to electricity as the the potential for microgrids to offer higher 100 polluted cities, as measured by PM2.5 population grew by 83.8 million. quality and economically sustainable off- levels,2 are found in the region 3. grid power. Public-private and public-civil The regional rate of electrification rose society partnerships have also emerged, With the world’s fastest rising regional energy to 90.3 per cent, up from 89.8 per cent pioneering new models to incorporate the demand and some of the largest national in 2012, though national rates are varied latest technologies and approaches to off- deficits in energy access, the decisions and widely. grid renewable power systems. These new actions taken by Asia-Pacific countries partnerships are working to provide the will largely shape the face of progress Urban areas are gradually