Asia-Pacific leaders agreed on Saturday to adopt a
"long-term aspirational goal" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
Australian Prime Minister John Howard said.
Leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
members adopted a Sydney Declaration on Climate Change, Energy
Security and Clean Development, in support to United Nations'
global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, Howard
said.?
"We are serious about addressing in a sensible way, compatible
with our different economic needs, the great challenge of climate
change," Howard told reporters at the end of the first day
of?the APEC Leaders Meeting.
Howard announced four key components of the declaration.
He said "there should be a long-term aspirational goal for
reducing global greenhouse gas emissions" to guide an effective
post-2012 international arrangement on climate change.
"All economies should contribute to achieving that goal, taking
into account national circumstances and allowing for a range of
market-based policy measures," Howard said.
He also said that APEC will adopt regional goals to reduce
energy intensity and increase forest cover. New technologies will
support the actions towards the goals.
Under the declaration, the goals are to reduce energy intensity
by at least 25 percent by 2030 from the 2005 level, and to increase
forest cover in the region by at least 20 million hectares of all
types of forests by 2020.
An Asia-Pacific Network for Energy Technology will be
established to strengthen collaboration on energy research in the
region.
Another regional network, Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable
Forest Management and Rehabilitation, for sustainable forest
management and rehabilitation will be set up to enhance capacity
building and strengthen information sharing in the forestry
sector.
The measures also include low emissions technology and
innovation, alternative and low carbon energy uses, trade in
environmental goods and services, and policy analysis
capability.
Founded in 1989, APEC has become a major regional forum acting
as the primary regional vehicle for promoting open trade and
practical economic and technical cooperation in the Asia-Pacific
region. ?
It has 21 members: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China,
China's Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines,
Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United States and
Vietnam.
Hu Expounds China's Stance on Climate
Change
China to Strengthen Capacity to Adapt to Climate
Change
China Proposes Setting up Forest Rehabilitation
Network
(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2007)
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