Asia-Pacific Partnership e-Newsletter U.S. APP Update

Released by the Office of Global Change, U.S. State Department

More Than 100 Attend Inaugural APP Breakfast Briefing

Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky kicked off the Inaugural APP Breakfast Briefing on July 17, 2008 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC, before a crowd of more than 100 attendees from media, industry, and government. The Under Secretary gave an overview of U.S. involvement in the APP and its integral place within U.S. climate strategy. A panel of representatives from the World Resources Institute, Portland Cement Association, Solar Turbines, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Energy discussed their experiences under the APP and highlighted its successes through both on-the-ground projects and through its power to convene global industries and governments to combat climate change. The event launched a series of Breakfast Briefings that will be held throughout the year to provide updates on Partnership and Task Force activities. To read the full text of under Secretary Dobriansky’s speech, visit http://www.state.gov/g/rls/rm/107181.htm

Resounding Response to Call for Clean Development Proposals for China

In June, 2008, the U.S. Department of State released a Request for Assistance (RFA) to address a total of 19 Concept Papers on clean development issues in China as put forward by each of the eight Task Forces under the APP. The China RFA Solicitation brought in 89 full length proposals from industry stakeholders, NGOs, universities, and state and local governments. In addition to the large number of proposals led by U.S. organizations, the Department of State also received multiple proposals led by Chinese organizations in conjunction with U.S. partmers. Total requested funding from all proposals topped $75 million, which is complemented by a total of $125 mil-lion in potential cost sharing from proposal organizations. To stay informed about upcoming grant opportunities from the APP, visit the U.S. Government APP Website at http://www.app.gov and register with our Partnership Network.

One Stop for the Latest APP News — www.app.gov

The United States Government’s new website for the APP, www.app.gov, provides an opportunity to stay in-formed about current and upcoming USG APP activities. In addition to detailed information on U.S.-led APP projects and participation, the site also provides a convenient opportunity to register with the U.S. Asia-Pacific Partnership Network, submit projects for consideration for APP endorsement, and locate key APP contact information. Please visit soon!

Suppliers Sign "Manila Compact" to Rid Asian Market of Shoddy Energy-Efficient Lighting Products

The world's four largest lighting companies—Philips, OSRAM, General Electric, and Havells Sylvania—have signed the “Manila Compact,” an agreement to establish common regional standards for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Maintaining consumers’ confidence in CFLs is critical to ensuring they are widely adopted. Since each CFL can help reduce nearly 75 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over its lifetime, CFLs are a key, near term technology to address climate change. Under the agreement, suppliers will develop performance levels to rate CFL quality, a system for product marking, and a regional database so consumers can identify which CFLs meet quality standards. Half of the CFLs sold in Asia are substandard, producing less light or burning out more quickly than advertised, according to a 2007 report by ECO-Asia Clean Development and Climate Program. Lighting associations from Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, and India co-signed the agreement with the intent to represent several hundred lamp suppliers within these countries. ECO-Asia CDCP organized the meeting as part of its efforts over the past year to replace sub-standard CFLs in the Asian market and address Asia’s surging energy demand and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The supplier network is supported by USAID and the Australian Government as part of the Asia-Pacific Partner-ship on Clean Development and Climate (APP). Partners expect to develop performance standards by the end of this year and will spend the next few months outlining a strategy to implement the Compact.

Recent and Upcoming Events

- 5th Policy and Implementation Committee Meeting, Seattle, Washington - May 19-20, 2008
- Workshop on Grid Connected Renewable Energy, Chandigarh, India - August 3-4, 2008
- Buildings and Appliances Task Force Meeting with World Sustainable Buildings Conference 2008, Melbourne, Australia - September 22-25, 2008
- Coal Mining Task Force Meeting in conjunction with Mine Expo 2008, Las Vegas, Nevada - September 20-24, 2008
- 6th Policy and Implementation Committee Meeting, Vancouver, Canada - October, 2008

APP is a U.S. Government-wide effort with agency partners including:

U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Agency for International Development U.S. Department of State U.S. Trade and Development Agency U.S. Department of Treasury

This e-newsletter is designed to keep you and your organization informed of APP activities and successes, and to connect you with the community of U.S. government and business leaders, NGO representatives, academics, and others who are part of the APP knowledge-sharing team. We welcome your insights and expertise on U.S. efforts to support APP goals. Questions or comments? Please e-mail us at reachapp@state.gov