"The final communique from this crucial meeting lacks the vision
to address the region's current energy and environmental crises and
most importantly lack the sense of urgency to address climate
change. If this meeting is the yardstick to address the greatest
environmental threat we are facing today, our leaders have
condemned us to dangerous climate change and a dirty, expensive
energy future", said Tara Buakamsri, Campaign Manager, Greenpeace
Southeast Asia.
The most alarming outcome of the meeting is ASEAN's active
promotion of the use of nuclear power, an unacceptable proposition
in one of the world's most seismically and politically volatile
regions. This clearly demonstrates the ASEAN's Energy minister's
limited understanding of the dangers associated with nuclear energy
and is neglectful to the welfare of the region's people.
The citizens of ASEAN member states are among the most
vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and yet, the region's
leaders are also promoting coal, the primary climate killer, under
the guise of "clean coal". Clean coal is a myth perpetuated by the
industry to clean up its dirty, carbon intensive image.
Sections in the ASEAN statements on renewable energy and energy
efficiency fall way short of the minimum requirements for achieving
the carbon emissions reductions to address climate change and
promoting the clean energy solution. ASEAN again failed to show its
commitment to the development of renewable energy by failing to set
clear, binding renewable energy targets.
ASEAN can cut its carbon dioxide emissions without jeopardizing
economic growth. Only through utilizing its abundant renewable
energy resources can Southeast Asia leapfrog over the polluting
fossil fuel age into a low carbon future to achieve real energy
security and address climate change
"The business as usual scenario, is not an option for future
generations. CO2 emissions would almost triple by 2050. The Energy
Ministers need to reverse all decisions taken at this meeting and
revisit the need to implement legally-binding target for renewable
energies and introduce a renewable energy legislation to enable
investments in renewable energy technologies. ASEAN member
countries must provide strict and detailed regulations on how to
implement renewable energy projects to minimize bureaucracy and
avoid ambiguous interpretation for existing regulation." concluded
Jasper Inventor, Greenpeace Southeast Asia climate and energy
campaigner.
Renewable energy can and will have to play a leading role in the
world's energy future. For the sake of a sound environment,
political stability and thriving economies, now is the time to
commit to a truly secure and sustainable energy future-a future
built on clean technologies, economic development and the creation
of millions of new jobs.