APEC agreement generates momentum for global climate negotiations

14 November 2011

The agreement reached by APEC leaders in Hawaii shows that there is still an appetite internationally to take action on dangerous climate change and clean up our energy supply, according to the Clean Energy Council.

Clean Energy Council Policy Manager Tim Sonnreich said that along with Australia’s decision to introduce a price on carbon, the APEC agreement will provide some much needed momentum going in to the international climate negotiations in Durban later this month.

“These are very good signals for the clean energy industry in Australia and internationally,” Mr Sonnreich said.

“Asia is the new powerhouse of the global economy and it is great to see a major trading bloc outside Europe take such a strong line on clean energy while the rest of the world is going through a financial crisis.

“Another strong signal is the commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, which will act as a very large stimulus for renewable energy across the region.  Fossil fuels currently attract large subsidies and the clean energy industry looks forward to competing on a more level playing field,” he said.

Australia’s emerging manufacturing base for renewable energy technologies is still in its early stages, with solar components, wind turbine towers, double glazing and solar hot water systems making up the bulk of products.

“We already have a significant manufacturing industry in solar hot water systems and if this agreement can help us break into some foreign markets then that’s obviously a good thing,” Mr Sonnreich said.

“Tariffs in Australia are already low and it’s likely to be business as usual for most local industries. This is principally a win for our exporters who can take advantage of  exponential growth in demand for energy in Asia.

“APEC’s list of ‘green goods’ is yet to be developed, but we would expect it to include a full range of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies,” he said.

 For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Clean Energy Council Media Manager Mark Bretherton on 0413 556 981.