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* Atleast Project Title is Required.
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Project No. |
EWG 13 2011A
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Project Title |
Workshop on Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) for APEC Economies with a Focus on Energy and Transport
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Project Status |
Completed Project
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Publication (if any) |
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Fund Account |
APEC Support Fund
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Sub-fund |
ASF: Energy Efficiency
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Project Year |
2011
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Project Session |
Session 2
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APEC Funding |
66,644
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Co-funding Amount |
61,000
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Total Project Value |
127,644
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Sponsoring Forum |
Energy Working Group (EWG)
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Topics |
Energy
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Committee |
SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE)
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Other Fora Involved |
Not Applicable / Other
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Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved |
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Proposing Economy(ies) |
United States
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Co-Sponsoring Economies |
China; Japan; New Zealand
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Expected Start Date |
20/06/2011
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Expected Completion Date |
31/12/2012
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Project Proponent Name 1 |
Jennifer Hendrixson White
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Job Title 1 |
Foreign Affairs Officer
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Organization 1 |
U.S. Department of State APEC TATF
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Postal Address 1 |
Rm 5317, 2201 C St NW, Wash DC 20520
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Telephone 1 |
+1.202.736.4787
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Fax 1 |
202.647.0136
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Email 1 |
whitejh@state.gov
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Project Proponent Name 2 |
Ann Katsiak
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Job Title 2 |
Project Director and Trade Specialist
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Organization 2 |
S. Department of State APEC TATF
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Postal Address 2 |
2101 Wilson Blvd
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Telephone 2 |
+1703-516-7743
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Fax 2 |
Not Applicable
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Email 2 |
akatsiak@nathaninc.com
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Declaration |
Not Applicable
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Project Summary |
This one-day workshop, held on the margins of the joint Energy and Transport Ministerial Conference in September 2011, will highlight linkages between APEC green growth and energy goals and Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS). LEDS is a strategic framework that helps economies articulate concrete actions, policies, programs and implementation plans to meet development objectives, improve environmental management, and boost economic growth. It would thus include officials from APEC member economies’ energy and transport ministries, as well as interested private firms and experts, who plan to participate in the Ministerial Conference. Given APEC’s commitment to “sustainable growth” as articulated in the 2010 Yokohama from Leader’s Growth Strategy; the APEC 2011 green growth priority; and the extensive work underway in the EWG related to transitioning APEC to a clean energy future, we believe this project is both strategic and timely. The workshop would familiarize APEC members with ongoing efforts related to LEDS, provide information resources, insight and case studies from APEC economies that are developing LEDS or supporting LEDS-related work in other countries, and identify opportunities for other APEC economies to develop or support LEDS and contribute to achieving APEC’s green growth goals.
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Relevance |
The 2010 Yokohama Vision set forth “sustainable growth” as one of the five key pillars for APEC’s work going forward. Building upon that vision, one of the three 2011 priorities for APEC is “green growth.”
APEC leaders have expressed support for the UNFCCC and the global climate change negotiations and encouraged APEC economies to fulfil their commitments under that process. Although Low Emission Development Strategy (LEDS) is not directly linked to those discussions, LEDS is a concept that has emerged in the climate change community in recent years.
The Energy Working Group (EWG) and Transportation Working Group (TPTWG) have done a great deal of work on concrete initiatives related to reducing energy-intensity and helping APEC transition to a clean energy future. Much of this work will be showcased at the Joint Energy-Transportation Ministerial at SOM3 in September 2011 or at the Leaders Meeting in November. Examples include best practices for improving the energy efficiency of buildings and expanding the role of renewable energy options on power grids, efforts to share information on standards and testing methods to promote trade in energy-efficient appliances, capacity building on technologies for carbon capture and storage, and projects to examine the energy, cost, and emissions reduction potential of transit oriented development, bus rapid transit and intermodal freight.
A LEDS is an overarching framework or set of tools that helps economies think and plan strategically about how to mainstream climate change considerations in their economic and development plans. A LEDS provides a foundation for achieving long-term, measurable greenhouse gas emission reductions from a business-as-usual development pathway, which is critical to addressing the problem of global climate change. A LEDS will be different in each economy, responding to unique economic priorities and development objectives. One LEDS may focus on improving energy efficiency in key energy end-use sectors – transport, buildings and industry, while another emphasizes increasing the share of lower-carbon generating sources in the electric power sector. A LEDS may incorporate efforts related to smart buildings, smart transport, smart grids and smart jobs that are the focus of the new Energy Smart Communities Initiative for the Asia Pacific and key components of Low Carbon Model Towns at the city level.
Understanding LEDS concepts will help energy and transportation officials—who often approach this issue from different perspectives—to develop a common language and develop sector specific goals, such as renewable energy deployment strategies for the electric power sector and energy efficiency deployment strategies in buildings and transport.
The APEC meeting provides a unique opportunity to present this information to an audience outside of economies’ environment ministries; in particular agencies with equities in development, transportation and energy that do not lead climate change negotiations or coordinate formally with environment ministries. The workshop would familiarize APEC members with the concept of Low Emission Development Strategies, provide information from economies that are undertaking or supporting such strategies, and inform them about opportunities to develop their own or support other economies’ development of LEDS to contribute to achieving APEC’s green growth goals.
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Objectives |
1. Illustrate the importance of long-term and low-carbon planning to achieve green growth goals, including the integration of climate change considerations across government and the economy, and highlight the link of planning to achievement of APEC energy priorities.
2. Engage audiences outside of environment ministries with vital roles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in particular agencies with equities in development, transportation and energy and private firms and non-governmental organizations with expertise in these areas.
3. Familiarize APEC members with the concept of LEDS; build interest in LEDS by APEC economies sharing their experiences in undertaking LEDS strategies or supporting LEDS-related activities; and inform economies about opportunities to develop their own or support other countries’ development of LEDS to contribute to achieving APEC’s green growth goals.
4. Point out how APEC Low Carbon Model Towns and the smart building, smart transport, smart grid and smart jobs components of the Energy Smart Communities Initiative can be integrated into economy-wide LEDS efforts.
5. Provide information about opportunities for collaboration, resources, and lessons learned from other APEC members, particularly on future capacity building needs.
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Alignment |
The LEDS workshop provides strong linkages to “sustainable growth” and “green growth”, both of which are key APEC priorities. These priorities were articulated in a number of leaders statements including the Leader’s Growth Strategy in Yokohama in 2010 and the APEC 2011 green growth priority. In the 2010 statement, leaders specifically stressed that “It will be critical for our region to develop more resource-efficient economies in order to address the world’s biggest challenges, including addressing climate change and its adverse effects. This will enable us to continue to prosper as a low-carbon society.”
The same statement also calls for APEC to “help to establish a low-carbon society in which we maintain economic growth while protecting the environment. It can do so by taking steps to facilitate the diffusion of clean energy technologies and systems, including by reducing barriers to trade and investment in energy efficient products, conducting international joint research, building capacity, promoting public-private partnerships, and providing appropriate incentives for investment in energy efficient and low-carbon energy supply, buildings, industry, and transport.” LEDS efforts respond directly to this call in an effort to work towards lower-emissions policies and economic structures.
The LEDS workshop will look to leverage and build upon work in the low carbon area in which many APEC working groups are engaged. In particular, the Energy Working Group (EWG) and the Transportation Working Group (TPTWG) have done a great deal of work to advance concrete initiatives related to reducing energy-intensity and emissions in transportation as a means to helping APEC economies transition to a clean energy future.
Much of this work and opportunities for future collaboration will undoubtedly be discussed the Joint Energy-Transportation Ministerial at SOM3 in September 2011.
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TILF/ASF Justification |
APEC Support Fund: As part of the workshop, we will fund up to two participants from each APEC developing economy to ensure that they will have the opportunity to attend the training. In developing and implementing a LEDS, developing economies could benefit from strengthened economic data collection and analysis of production, competitiveness and employment impacts, which could inform policy decisions, topics which will be elements of the workshop’s one-day agenda. In addition, at least two developing economies Viet Nam and Mexico, will be asked to present on their experience in developing a LEDS, in order to share their experiences with other APEC developing economies in attendance. Based on presentations on best practices, it is hoped that future capacity building needs will be identified for follow up work in specific APEC developing economies.
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Beneficiaries and Outputs |
As previously noted, the primary beneficiaries for the LEDS Workshop are APEC officials in who hold positions in development, energy and transportation as well as other stakeholders responsible for low-emissions energy and transport strategies. This will include but is not limited to officials from the private sector, government, and civil society from across APEC’s 21 member economies, and APEC EWG and TPTWG members. We will work with APEC EWG and TPTWG members as well as the APEC Business Advisory Council to identify other participants that could benefit from an overview of LEDS.
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Dissemination |
The target audience includes APEC member economy public sector officials, especially from developing economies, involved in development, energy and transport policy as well as planning officials of rapidly developing urban areas in APEC economies. It will also include private firms and NGOs with expertise in low-emissions energy and transport strategies.
Turning to publications, relevant APEC fora will also be provided with a workshop summary report and recommendations. Project overseers will look to identify an already developed LEDS that can be used as an example strategy during the workshop. In addition, workshop presentations with supplementary documentation including a compiled summary of recommendations from the workshop will be disseminated. Consideration will also be given to uploading some or all documents to other relevant websites – e.g. the ABAC website. No paper publication or sale of these documents is contemplated following the workshop.
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Gender |
The project overseers will take care to implement the project in a manner sensitive to gender considerations, and to ensure that it benefits both men and women and in particular does not disadvantage women. During the planning stages, the overseers will actively seek to achieve gender balance in the selection of seminar speakers. During the nomination phase, APEC member economies will be encouraged to nominate of qualified women participants, where appropriate. Care will be taken to ensure that the seminar and all related administrative arrangements are executed in a gender-neutral manner, and in particular in a manner that does not disadvantage women. Implementing LEDS would benefit all members of the private and public sector, irrespective of gender.
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Work Plan |
The project will be implemented as a one-day workshop on the margins of SOM III in San Francisco, CA. Below is a detailed breakout of the timeline of actions:
May-July: Develop seminar agenda and identify speakers and participants. Project overseers will consult with co-sponsors, and other relevant APEC fora (e.g., EWG and TPTWG) to develop a comprehensive and balanced agenda. The workshop will consist of speakers and panel discussions. Participants will consist of representatives from ministries of energy and transport as well as mayors and planning officials in rapidly developing urban areas of APEC economies, to be identified through the Low Carbon Model Towns initiative. We will also seek to attract private firms and non-governmental organizations with expertise in low-emissions energy and transport strategies. Event invitations will be sent out in early July.
August: finalize agenda and all administrative arrangements, including compilation of materials for distribution at the workshop.
September: The seminar is tentatively scheduled to take place on September 11-12 (afternoon of the 11th and morning of the 12th), 2011 in San Francisco, California, on the margins of the Energy and Transport Ministerial Conference.
Sept. – Dec. 2011: Project overseers will facilitate post-workshop collaboration to ensure that the information and views gathered under this initiative will contribute to the dialogue on green growth and energy.
Co-sponsorship of this project has been confirmed by China, Japan and New Zealand. We will work with these Member Economies specifically asking them to contribute in the following:
· Share experience in determining key issues for inclusion in the workshop discussion
· Provide input into the workshop program and suggestions of expert speakers.
Government and private sector representations of all 21 member economies are expected to attend this workshop.
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Risks |
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Estimated Date
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Activity
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Output
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Risk
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Management of Risk
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May – Sept 2011
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Work with co-sponsors to draft a workshop agenda
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Draft agenda established
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Draft agenda not completed, inputs not receive in a timely manner, lack of focus in agenda
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Work closely with co-sponsors, other relevant APEC fora (e.g., EWG and TPTWG), and champion economies to draft agenda. schedule bi-weekly conference calls to keep progress on track. Develop an agenda that provides specific target areas of LEDS that will be the focus for this workshop in order to ensure continuity and cohesion of topics. Ensure that speakers discuss presentations with each other to coordinate on panels, etc.
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May-July 2011
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Begin to Invite/confirm speakers; confirm program, issue speaker invitations allowing sufficient time for processing of US entry visa
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Speakers invited and confirmed; program established
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Speakers unavailable
Delays in invitation letter issuance
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Work closely with co-sponsors, other relevant APEC fora, to identify and confirm alternate speakers.
Continually follow up with economy representatives to ensure that nominations are received in time.
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July 2011
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Issue workshop invitations to participants
Allow sufficient time for processing of U.S. entry visas.
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Invitations issued
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Delay in issuance
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Host economy will monitor to ensure timely issuance, particularly to avoid US visa entry issues.
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Aug 2011
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Speaker presentations collected
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Collection of presentations; posting to internet
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Not all speakers provide presentations in a timely manner
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Project overseers and co-leaders to work closely with Secretariat, member economies and EWG, TPTWG to ensure timely submittal.
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Sept 2011
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Workshop conducted
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Conduct workshop
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Participants/speakers do not show up or cancel at last minute, last minute travel issues
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Project overseers will be in close contact with speakers and participants throughout the process to minimize any last minute cancelations.
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Monitoring and Evaluation |
Project overseers will work closely with experts, project co-sponsors, and representatives from the EWG and TPTWG to ensure that the draft agenda meets the objectives and needs of the relevant fora. The number of participants attending the workshops (as a percent of those invited) will provide a rough indicator of the success of the project in reaching a broader cross section of stakeholders. Finally, we will design an evaluation and ask feedback from participants after the workshop has concluded. The questionnaire will then be summarized into one document and circulated to project overseers and co-sponsors, so that they can be informed of what did and did not work, as well as see feedback for possible related future activities that will build off of this workshop. At the second Senior Officials meeting in 2011, Senior Officials expressed their support for this activity, and one determinant of success will be if APEC Leaders will express their support for LEDS as well. Success will also be determined depending on whether follow on capacity building work is seen as a good use of APEC resources in building on to the September event.
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Linkages |
Although APEC has not undertaken work on LEDS, the workshop will build on and incorporate the work of APEC subfora such as EWG and TPTWG on development and deployment of low-emissions technology, on energy efficiency technologies and policies to help achieve the Leaders’ energy intensity reduction goals (green buildings and appliances, SMART Grids, transit-oriented development and intermodal freight transport) and on fossil fuel subsidies reduction. It will also incorporate elements of the APEC low carbon model town, launched in 2010. In addition to providing economies with a foundation on which to begin exploring development of a LEDS, information shared at the workshop can inform optimal green house gas strategies. LEDS are simply a way of bringing to bear expertise and long-term planning visions on achieving objectives and projects undertaken in the APEC working groups on energy, transport and other areas.
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Sustainability |
The purpose of this project is to initiate collaboration on LEDS development and its application in the APEC region by APEC members, thus illustrating the importance of low-carbon planning as a key component in green growth goals. The output of this project will help governments understand the basic components and processes involved in a LEDS. While only serving as a foundation, public and private sector representatives will understand the long term benefits of developing a LEDS and the options available to mitigate climate change through attracting and mobilizing investments in clean energy. Based on the discussion at the workshop, stakeholders will have a foundational understanding of LEDS and the components necessary to undertake LEDS development in their home economies or support development in partner economies.
Strong endorsement of the results by the APEC Senior Officials and Leaders encouraging all APEC economies to develop their own LEDS frameworks is the single most important way to ensure future action takes place. In addition, the active participation by key supporting partners in the project will deepen their commitment to provide funding and technical assistance for follow-up work, which could include charting capacity building plans if indeed LEDS becomes a key component of APEC’s growth strategy. LEDS work through APEC should be economy-driven. In the future, APEC, through member participation, could assist in identifying and providing targeted technical assistance to support the elaboration of long-term, low-emission development strategies that would promote efficient and transparent policies.
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Project Overseers |
Jennifer Hendrixson White is a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Office of Economic Policy based out of Washington, DC. The Office of Economic Policy reports to the U.S. Senior Official for APEC who is responsible for coordinating APEC activities for the U.S. Government. Ms. White has worked on economic and development issues in the Asia Pacific region since 2005 and currently covers a portfolio of issues in APEC related to energy, environment and green growth.
Ann Katsiak is a Managing Associate in the Trade and Investment Group at Nathan Associates. She is Project Manager and Trade Specialist, based out of Washington DC for the U.S. funded APEC Technical Assistance and Training Facility, which is designed to support APEC and the APEC Secretariat in furthering regional economic integration, support the Bogor Goals of free and open trade, and help APEC become a more strategically managed regional institution. Ms. Katsiak has worked with the APEC TATF team to successfully managed and/or implemented several technical assignments, including recently managing workshops for the BMC under the EC.
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Cost Efficiency |
This project is roughly 50% self-funded, so project overseers have a shared interest along with the APEC Secretariat and forum to ensure a high return on investment in this workshop. Project overseers intend to implement this workshop as part of the events associated with 2011 SOM III in San Francisco, in the hopes that this will maximize attendance (saving travel costs) and by inviting APEC delegates attending both of these events to participate in the workshop. Holding the event on the margins of a SO, hopefully obviates the need for most or all spending on venue costs. Finally, all meeting materials will be made available electronically on the APEC website, thereby offering a cost-effective way of disseminating the information and findings associated with this workshop.
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Drawdown Timetable |
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Direct Labour |
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Waivers |
Speakers/active participants may request advance payment of travel expenses.
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Are there any supporting document attached? |
No
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Attachments
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