APEC Project – SD STRATEGIES

Integrating Sustainable Energy and Transport in Islands

Background

Many APEC islands spend a high share of their GDP on the imports of fossil fuels. Often, this makes them dependent on foreign energy supplies and vulnerable to price fluctuations. The burning of fossil fuels pollutes local environments, endangers the health of citizens, and contributes to climate change. It also prevents innovative new technical advancements. Alternatives to socially, economically and environmentally unsustainable energy systems exist.

The Project

We work with political personnel and leading experts to investigate current island energy situations and alternative future scenarios. We have developed a roadmap methodology that can guide economies – of all sizes and in all circumstances – in how to transition to energy-efficient, renewable-based, electric transport system.

Key components of the project are:

1. An integrated renewable energy and EV roadmap
2. Three “champion” island profiles
2. An in-person training and consultation workshop
4. An online webinar and broad dissemination of insights and final results
5. An alumni network of experts and decision-makers and their integration in the activities of the LEDS Global Partnership and other leading initiatives.

Energy and transport integration roadmap

This report highlights the economic, social, and environmental benefits that a transition towards EV-based mobility based on domestic renewable energy sources can create in APEC islands. Two tools are presented that islands can apply to plan their transition: The Avoid-Shift-Improve framework and its use in Island Mobility Plans define the role of EVs within a broad set of sustainable transport options. The multi-criteria decision-making method allows for the evaluation of different energy pathways, and the selection of one as part of an effective stakeholder dialogue.

Press Release

Island's Profiles

Our three island profiles present key information and observations on the energy and transport sectors in Cat Ba (Vietnam), Easter Island (Chile), and Romblon (The Philippines). The islands were selected in cooperation with national, subnational and local authorities in supportive APEC economies. They have in common that they carry the potential to become Champion Islands for quick and ambitious integration of their energy and transport sectors based on electric vehicles and the efficient use of domestic renewable power. The island profiles served as important case studies for discussion at the workshop and create key reference points for the final project output, the Roadmap for the Integration of Sustainable Energy and Transport (RISET).

Easter Island

Cat Ba Island

Romblon Island

In Person Workshop

On 14 and 15 January 2020, we brought together 30 individuals representing APEC islands and economies, international organizations and leading research institutes for a workshop on Deep Transition and Integration of Power and Transport Systems. The meeting took place at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Washington D.C. Office. Objectives of the workshop were to jointly advance the roadmap, including through sharing regional experiences and best practices as well as results from technology assessments, modelling exercises and the use of other tools; to discuss the roadmap overall concept, its methodology and major assumptions; and to learn from successful and failing transitional efforts in the region and beyond. Participants in the workshop jointly explored regulatory and institutional frameworks that can attract clean energy and transport investments.