BANGKOK, Thailand, Feb 22 (IPS) – The previous 12 months is one which few of us will overlook. Whereas the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have performed out inconsistently throughout Asia and the Pacific, the area has been spared lots of the worst results seen in different elements of the world. The pandemic has reminded us {that a} dependable and uninterrupted power provide is important to managing this disaster.
The excellent news is our area’s power programs have continued to operate all through the pandemic. A brand new report Shaping a sustainable power future in Asia and the Pacific: A greener, extra resilient and inclusive power system launched immediately by the United Nations Financial and Social Fee for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reveals the power demand reductions have primarily impacted fossil fuels and depressed oil and fuel costs. Renewable power growth in international locations throughout the area, corresponding to China and India, has continued at a wholesome tempo all through 2020.
Because the Asia-Pacific area transitions its power system to scrub, environment friendly and low carbon applied sciences, the emergence of the pandemic raises some basic questions. How can a reworked power system assist guarantee our resilience to future crises corresponding to COVID-19? As we get better from this pandemic, can we launch a “inexperienced restoration” that concurrently rebuilds our economies and places us on observe to fulfill international local weather and sustainability objectives?
A clear and sustainable power is central to a restoration from COVID-19 pandemic. By emphasizing the significance of the SDGs as a guiding framework for recovering higher collectively, we should give attention to two important aspcets:
First, by making significant progress on the SDGs, we will tackle lots of the systemic points that made societies extra susceptible to COVID-19 within the first place – well being, first rate work, poverty and inequalities, to call a number of.
Second, by directing stimulus spending to investments that assist the achievement of the SDGs, we will construct again higher. If international locations focus their stimulus efforts on the industries of the previous corresponding to fossil fuels, we threat not creating the roles we want, or transferring in the precise path to realize the worldwide objectives which might be important to future generations. The power sector presents a number of alternatives to align stimulus with the clear industries of the longer term.
The proof reveals that renewable power and power effectivity tasks create extra jobs for a similar funding as fossil gas tasks. By growing expenditure on clear cooking and electrical energy entry, we will improve financial exercise in rural areas and produce fashionable infrastructure that may make these communities extra resilient and inclusive, notably for the wellbeing of girls and kids.
Moreover, investing in low-carbon infrastructure and applied sciences can create a foundation for the extra bold local weather pledges we have to attain the Paris Settlement targets of a 2-degree international warming restrict. On this observe, a number of international locations have introduced carbon neutrality, demonstrating a long-term imaginative and prescient and dedication to an accelerated transformation to sustainable power. Phasing out using coal from energy technology portfolios by substituting with renewables, ending fossil gas subsidies, and implementing carbon pricing are a number of the steps we will take.
The COVID-19 disaster has compelled us to vary many facets of our lives to maintain ourselves and our societies secure. It has proven that we’re extra adaptive and resilient than we might have believed. However, we must always not waste the alternatives this disaster presents for transformative change. It shouldn’t deflect us from the pressing job of creating fashionable power accessible to all and decarbonizing the area’s power system by a transition to sustainable power. As an alternative, it ought to present us with a renewed sense of urgency.
We should harness the capability of sustainable power to rebuild our societies and economies whereas defending the setting within the pursuit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Growth.
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana is Beneath-Secretary-Basic of the United Nations and Government Secretary of ESCAP
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