ISLAMABAD: A ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ hub for Asia and Pacific was launched on Wednesday aimed at mobilising investment and finding innovative ways to bring clean, modern energy to people in the region.

With the creation of the hub, the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) was formally launched during the course of ‘Asia Clean Energy Forum’ at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Manila.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in partnership with the UNDP and ADB simultaneously launched a ‘Regional Hub’ to tackle energy issues at the country level.

It is estimated that 628 million people in the Asia-Pacific region – almost half the world’s energy poor – do not have access to electricity and more than 1.8 billion people are using traditional fuels, such as wood.

Recognising the need to bring sustainable energy to all globally, UN declared 2014-2024 as the Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), underscoring the importance of energy in the post-2015 development agenda.

It is one of three regional hubs under the global Sustainable Energy for All Initiative set up in 2011 by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with three objectives to be met by 2030: to ensure universal access to modern energy services; double the annual global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

The hub will leverage the existing structures of ADB, UNDP and ESCAP energy programmes and support to countries in conducting rapid assessments, building constructive dialogue on policy, and catalysing investments and mobilising bilateral and global funds for clean energy development.

Asia’s demand for energy is soaring as the region’s economies expand apace and as populations move to cities where energy use is higher. By 2035, developing Asia will account for 56 per cent of global primary energy use, up from 34pc in 2010. This needs to be met by increasing the use of renewable energy and by achieving greater energy efficiency if the environment is to be safeguarded.

Access to electricity, particularly from clean energy resources, and to improved cook-stoves can have tremendous impacts on the environment and the socio-economic situation of people.

It provides the opportunity for income-generating activities, improves conditions for students and reduces the strains on environment, especially through the reduction of GHG emissions and indoor air pollution.

The International Energy Agency estimates that Asia and the Pacific will need investments of more than $200bn to provide full access to energy by 2030.

ADB invested $2.3bn in 2013 in clean energy and has pledged to continue investments of at least $2bn per year.

Pakistan’s representation at the energy forum is missing, while on the other hand, a high-level ministerial dialogue with energy ministers from Bhutan, Japan, Maldives, Philippines, and Tajikistan, is discussing the three-fold energy problem of energy affordability, sustainability, and energy security during the five-day forum meeting.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2014