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Environmental sustainability

APEC's Green Growth Agenda: China's Pioneering Role in Asia-Pacific's Low-Carbon Transition

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Over the past two decades, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum has transformed the region's approach to growth, with a focus on green growth at the heart of its agenda. Since the 2011 Honolulu Leaders' Declaration, Apec has made significant progress in environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency has become a central commitment. The region is on track to meet its goal of reducing energy intensity by 45% by 2032, three years ahead of schedule.

Key Takeaways:

  • Apec economies account for about 56% of global energy demand and 60% of CO2 emissions.
  • China's energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by 11.6% between 2021 and 2024, equivalent to around 1.1 billion tonnes of CO2, or nearly half the European Union's annual emissions.
  • China's natural ecosystems, such as forests and grasslands, absorb about 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 each year, which is around 3% of global emissions.
  • China has launched its first large-scale green hydrogen project with over 10,000 tonnes of annual output, expected to cut about 485,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
  • China's efforts in clean energy storage have led to the establishment of a large-scale energy storage system in Singapore, constructed by Chinese companies, which enhances grid stability and reliability.
  • Apec economies have already avoided billions of tonnes of emissions and saved trillions of dollars in energy costs through collective efforts.

Statistics:

  • Apec economies aim to reduce energy intensity by 45% by 2032, with the region on track to meet this target three years ahead of schedule.
  • China's energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by 11.6% between 2021 and 2024.
  • China's natural ecosystems absorb about 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 each year, which is around 3% of global emissions.
  • China's first large-scale green hydrogen project has produced over 14,900 tonnes of hydrogen, and is expected to cut about 485,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
  • China's hydropower output was approximately 1,226 terawatt-hours in 2023, making it the world's largest producer of hydropower.

Sources:

  • Apec Energy Review 2025
  • State Council of China
  • National Forestry and Grassland Administration
  • International Banker
  • Apec's 2011 Honolulu Leaders' Declaration
  • Green hydrogen project in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang
  • Singapore's energy storage system on Jurong Island

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