TOKYO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined other leaders of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) on Monday in making a commitment to adopt measures on decarbonization to address climate change. The leaders, in their joint statement released in Tokyo on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit, pledged to advance cooperation towards carbon neutrality and net zero emissions with the end goal of maintaining the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Recognizing Asia, particularly the ASEAN region, as the engine of the global economy with significant energy demand, the leaders agreed to promote decarbonization while also achieving economic growth. They welcomed the outcome of the first AZEC Ministerial Meeting held in March 2023 in Tokyo, which laid the foundation for common understanding among partner countries.
To achieve their goals, the leaders agreed to promote policy support and collaboration in tangible projects through a tailored approach to decarbonization. This approach involves utilizing various technologies such as heat pumps, scaling up renewable energy, energy storage, regional interconnectivity, improving grid flexibility, and the use of nuclear energy, including small modular and advanced reactors.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of utilizing hydrogen and its derivatives, electrolyzer technology, biomass, and carbon capture utilization and storage across sectors and industries. They also highlighted the significance of recycling common minerals, promoting electrification and fuel switching, and the use of liquefied natural gas.
In addition to these measures, the leaders agreed to deploy reliable renewable-based micro-grids to remote islands, incorporate perovskite solar cells and offshore wind power, and adopt technologies such as electric vehicles, biofuels, and hydrogen and its derivatives. These initiatives will play a crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality and net zero emissions.
To accelerate energy transitions, the leaders pledged to foster public-private partnerships and cooperation among private sectors. They also welcomed collaboration with other countries within and beyond Asia that wish to support the region’s energy transition and energy security.
President Marcos made a separate commitment on Monday to promote and shift to clean energy in the Philippines. He invited AZEC partners to invest in the renewable energy industry and emerging technologies in the country. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of introducing energy efficiency and conservation measures in the Philippines.
The President highlighted that the Philippines, along with its AZEC partners, recognizes the need to accelerate a clean, sustainable, just, affordable, and inclusive energy transition towards carbon neutrality or net-zero emissions.
The commitment of the AZEC leaders and President Marcos to decarbonization measures is a significant step towards addressing climate change. By working together and adopting innovative technologies, Asia can lead the way in achieving carbon neutrality and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Source: The Manila Times