Winds of Change : East Asia's Sustainable Energy Future

Abstract

This report demonstrates that a
 "climate-smart" energy strategy is possible for
 countries in the East Asia region, with support from the
 international community. In the past three decades, the East
 Asia region has experienced the fastest economic growth in
 the world, accompanied by rapid urbanization. As a
 consequence, energy consumption has more than tripled and is
 expected to further double over the next two decades. This
 remarkable growth and rapid urbanization have led to twin
 energy challenges in the region: improving environmental
 sustainability and enhancing energy security. The region has
 many of the world's most polluted cities, resulting
 from fossil fuel combustion. The region also contains some
 of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the world,
 although their per capita and historical emissions are much
 below the levels of industrialized countries. Concerns with
 energy security have grown because of increased risks of
 price volatility and possible disruptions in supplies for
 oil and gas. To move the region to a sustainable energy
 path, the commitment of the respective governments and
 communities is essential. The governments will need
 energy-pricing reforms that no longer encourage the use of
 fossil fuels, and put in place regulations and incentives
 that improve energy efficiency and support low-carbon
 technologies. The governments also will need to ramp up
 research and development for new technologies to leapfrog to
 the clean energy revolution. The countries cannot move to a
 sustainable energy path alone. They will need the support of
 the international community. Substantial concessional
 financing is essential to motivate energy efficiency and
 low-carbon technology investments. Transfer of low-carbon
 technologies and institutional strengthening also will be needed.