EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. • The APEC Model of originates from APEC 2010 Japan year, when sustainable growth was given due recognition as one of the five growth attributes important for member economies to develop.

2. • The green growth initiative assumes that increases in production (agricultural and industrial) as well as rising levels of consumption exert great pressure on the environment.

3. • The key deliverables in the APEC model of green growth are an improvement in energy efficiency; a reduction in tariff barriers for environmental goods and services; and the promotion of the low-carbon sector in member economies.

4. • While the lack of a legally binding structure has often been perceived to have weakened APEC's ability to carry out reforms, in another sense, it has provided strength from its inclusiveness, and this has helped to cultivate a spirit of cooperation among member economies

5. • Potentially, the “APEC way” may ultimately prove to be an effective approach to control greenhouse gas emissions, given how internationally binding talks have so far failed (for example, the Doha Development Agenda), and given the uncertainty of the present climate change talks.

INTRODUCTION

Indonesia assumes the chairmanship of the Asia Pacific Economic Communities (APEC) in 2013, adopting the theme of “Resilient Asia-Pacific: The Engine of Global Growth” in the process. Its three proposed priorities — pressing forward on the Bogor Goals, promoting sustainable growth with equity, and improving connectivity — clearly embrace some ongoing long-term goals propounded by the organisation, such as capital market development, food security, and cutting supply chain costs.

The APEC model of green growth fits into the second priority. This model originates from APEC 2010 Japan year, when sustainable growth was given due recognition as one of the five growth attributes important for member economies to develop.143 The organization also realised that it should help establish low-carbon societies, for which some measures for green growth were proposed. Subsequently in 2011 and 2012, the US and Russia continued where Japan had left off, further adding ‘meat’ to the model.