Side Event

Future Development of Sustainable Urban Energy in Asia Pacific – Maximizing the Benefits of Integrated District Energy Systems


Background:

Cities occupy only two percent of the world’s landmass but consume over two-thirds of the world’s energy and account for more than 70 percent of global CO2-emissions. There are 33 Mega Cities (cities with a population of 10 million or more) in the world where 17 is located in the Asia Pacific region. In 2030, it is projected that, there will be 43 Mega Cities globally and 35 of them will be in the Asia Pacific region. With this rapid urbanization rate cities are at the forefront to adopt innovative, sustainable energy solutions. With 10 years remaining for the world to reach the 1.5 degrees Celsius target set out in the Paris Agreement, it is imperative to rapidly employ efficient solutions, including in the energy sector, to reduce carbon emissions and limit global warming.

Building on the ACEF 2020 theme, “Vision 20/20: Cross-sectoral Innovations for a Sustainable Future”, this session aimed to explore what challenges cities are facing to develop sustainable urban energy schemes. The session discussed opportunities and challenges with integrated urban energy systems as well as the importance of cross-sectoral engagement to develop sustainable urban energy. The session also shared regional experiences and international best practices.

It is important to remember that climate change includes society as a whole which also means that solutions have to be directed to all sectors, this again shows the importance of cross-sectoral solutions. With the growing evidence of climate change that is visible today, we believe it is safe to say that the future is already here and that we have to act now and speed up the transition to a sustainable society.

Objectives of the Session

  1. Provide insights in the challenges which cities are facing to develop sustainable urban energy schemes
  2. Share perspectives on Renewable Energy developments in cities post-COVID19
  3. Discuss opportunities and challenges with integrated urban energy systems
  4. Discuss the importance of cross-sectoral engagement to develop sustainable urban energy
  5. Disseminate regional experiences and international best practices

Agenda

Time (Manila) Session/Speakers
20:00 - 20:05 p.m. Opening remarks

  • Mikael Jakobsson, Executive Director, Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association (APUEA)
  • Jacqueline Lam, Deputy Regional Director, East, Southeast Asia and Oceania, C40 Cities
20:05 - 20:15 p.m. Cities strategies for accelerating clean energy transition in a post-pandemic world

  • Constant Alarcon, Programme Manager, Clean Energy Network, C40 Cities
20:15 - 20:25 p.m. Sustainable Urban Energy Systems

  • Mikael Jakobsson, Executive Director, Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association (APUEA)
20:25 - 21:00 p.m. Panel: Maximizing the benefits of integrated urban energy systems
Moderator: Mikael Jakobsson, Executive Director, Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association

  • Teruhisa Oi, Principal Energy Specialist, Asian Development Bank
  • Arnaud Dauvillier, Head of Aden Smart City, CEO of Adenergy
  • Pär Dalin, President, Devcco
  • Reji Kumar Pillai, President, India Smart Grid Forum
  • Rebecca Chan, Project Manager, Climate Action Planner, Southeast Asia, C40 Cities
21:00 - 21:25 p.m. Q&A
Audience
21:25 - 21:30 p.m. Closing remarks

READ MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

About the Organizers

Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association (APUEA)

The Asia Pacific Urban Energy Association (APUEA) actively promotes the development of sustainable urban energy systems in the Asia Pacific region. Through the secretariat located in Bangkok, the association convenes cross-sectoral stakeholders, shares global and regional experiences and best practices, and promotes market development for sustainable urban energy systems. The APUEA platform serves as a bridge between the Association’s members and governments/international agencies in the Asia Pacific region, helping cities to accelerate the development of sustainable urban energy systems. APUEA is an initiative of the International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC), with support from an advisory board comprising representatives from United Nations Environment (UN Environment), Euroheat & Power (EHP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Tsinghua University (China), and Danish Board of District Heating (DBDH).

C40 Cities

C40 is a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. C40 supports cities to collaborate effectively, share knowledge and drive meaningful, measurable and sustainable action on climate change. C40 Cities supports our 96 member cities to take bold climate action, leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future. Representing 700+ million citizens and one quarter of the global economy, mayors of the C40 cities are committed to delivering on the most ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement at the local level.

Point of Contact:

Peter Lundberg, APUEA
Email: [email protected]