Wednesday 30 May 2007

Declaration signed but no emissions targets

Daily Advertiser
Wednesday 30/5/2007 Page: 12

ENERGY ministers from the Asia-Pacific region have signed a declaration confirming their commitment to improving energy efficiency, the security of oil supplies and cross-border trade. But the measures in the Darwin Declaration are voluntary and do not include a region-wide carbon trading emissions scheme or targets.

Speaking at the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting in the Northern Territory capital yesterday, federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said the ministers - from 21 countries - had agreed on a peer review scheme for energy efficiency.

There was also widespread support for information sharing, renewable energy and a broader acceptance of nuclear power. `A number of countries that have been traditionally opposed to nuclear energy are now investigating its potential in a future energy mix," Mr Macfarlane said.

Nuclear power was part of a region-wide attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing energy production, the minister said, adding that billions of dollars would be required to develop clean energy technology.

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