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ASEAN can accelerate achievement of Paris Agreement goals 

Published by , Editorial Assistant
World Coal,


Investing in low emissions coal plants in Southeast Asia is one of the most efficient strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the region, according to a new report by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the World Coal Association (WCA). 

The report, ASEAN’s Energy Equation - the role of low emission coal in driving a sustainable energy future, is a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of climate and energy policies, and sustainable development opportunities that cleaner coal technologies provide to a region that is looking to coal to fuel its growing economy. 

Climate finance for low emissions coal would reduce emissions equivalent to 1.3 billion t in the next 20 years, a reduction equivalent to annual emissions from China, the US and the EU - the top three CO2 emitters- combined.

 

This action is expected to accelerate the achievement of global climate objectives without sacrificing economic and social development needs in the region.

 

WCA Chief Executive Benjamin Sporton. “It is important to inject realism into the debate on how to reduce emissions across Asia. There is no question that cleaner coal is the lowest cost option among all available low-carbon technologies in ASEAN- a region that is rapidly urbanising and industrialising. Coal is forecast to be an essential part of ASEAN’s economic growth. This reality means that it is only logical that the rapidly industrialising and urbanising economies of Asia that are choosing to use coal do so with the lowest emissions technologies.” 

“According to the 4th ASEAN Energy Outlook, ASEAN’s energy demand is expected to grow by 2.7 times in the next two decades, and coal continues to be a major contributor in our energy mix (ACE, 2016),” notes ACE Executive Director, Dr. Sanjayan Velautham. “With about 100 million people without electricity, the delivery of affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity is crucial to ASEAN’s predicted economic growth. That’s why, we at ACE believe that viable modern coal technologies are essential in ensuring that coal is used in a sustainable way that will balance both the economic needs and climate commitments. Collaborative efforts support ASEAN to make informed decisions on energy policies.” 

Read the report here 

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/17052017/asean-can-accelerate-achievement-of-paris-agreement-goals/

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