Energy Policy Consultation

ADB will organize discussions at ACEF 2021 that provided an opportunity to review and update the ADB Energy Policy and ensure its relevance to the needs of ADB’s Developing Member Countries (DMCs). Discussions covered:

  • What emerging new technologies and innovations in the next 5–10 years could be game-changers for meeting energy access and climate goals?
  • What cross-sectoral issues (e.g., the energy-water-transport nexus) should be considered in ADB’s new energy policy?
  • Which needs and priorities of developing countries in Asia and the Pacific require more support and assistance from ADB?
  • What is the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the energy sector and what should be ADB’s response?
Building on past consultations with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), ADB conducted a Virtual Consultation Roundtable (VCR) with CSOs on Tuesday, 15 June, 2:00-3:30 PM (GMT+8). The aim of this roundtable consultation was to provide CSO representatives the opportunity for continued engagement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) in preparing ADB’s new energy policy.
Background

In response to the challenges and energy sector outlook in Asia and the Pacific region, and to reflect the findings and recommendations of the Sector-Wide Evaluation of ADB’s current energy policy and program for 2009-2019 conducted by ADB’s Independent Evaluation Department, inputs from stakeholders concerned, lessons learned, and the policy analysis, ADB is in the process of preparing the 2021 Energy Policy aiming to guide ADB’s energy sector operations to help its developing member countries (DMCs) develop sustainable and resilient energy systems through low-carbon energy transition.

The 2021 Energy Policy will be consistent with ADB’s Strategy 2030 that sets to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, align with the goals of Sustainable Development Agenda and the Paris Agreement, and make all finance flows

consistent with low greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilient development pathway. To this end, the policy implementation will be based on the following five guiding principles:

(i) securing energy for a prosperous and inclusive Asia and the Pacific,
(ii) building a sustainable and resilient energy future,
(iii) engaging with institutions and framing policy reforms,
(iv) promoting regional cooperation to enhance energy security, and
(v) providing integrated solutions and cross sectoral operations to maximize development impact.

In supporting the 2021 Energy Policy, ADB has strengthened its commitment to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and pledged that at least 75% of its committed operations, including sovereign and non-sovereign operations, will be designed to support climate change mitigation and adaptation by 2030, and climate finance from ADB’s own resources will reach $80 billion cumulatively from 2019 to 2030.

There were a series of consultation meetings with various stakeholders including global energy experts since June 2020 to discuss key findings and recommendations of ADB’s Sector-Wide Evaluation, specific issues for clean energy transition, and engage dialogue with stakeholders to seek views and feedback for preparation of the 2021 Energy Policy. ADB has launched a website and posted a draft 2021 Energy Policy in May 2021 for public consultation, which can be found in the following link:

https://www.adb.org/documents/draft-energy-policy-supporting-low-carbon-transition-asia-and-pacific

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