Energy security must benefit Asia's people and the planet

The world is at a critical juncture. Energy consumption is rising dramatically; total primary energy demand in the Asia-Pacific region alone is expected to nearly double between 2010 and 2030.

How will the region meet this demand? How will we grow in a sustainable way? How can universal energy access be achieved? These are some of the key questions being addressed at the World Energy Congress in Daegu, South Korea, this month.

The world today faces two main energy challenges: providing enough light, warmth and power for every household, while shifting to cleaner energy sources.

Ensuring sustainable energy for all is additionally challenging in Asia and the Pacific - there are still 628 million people in the region without access to electricity, and 1.8 billion still use traditional fuels such as wood, charcoal, agricultural residues and animal waste.

Widespread energy poverty condemns billions to darkness, ill-health and missed opportunities. We must end this inequality, but we need to do so in a way that is smart and sustainable, utilising natural resources, while preserving the integrity of the ecosystems on which we depend.

The Asia-Pacific region also has some of the highest levels of carbon intensity. Our primary energy intensity is among the highest in the world, despite significant reductions in recent decades. This limits national and regional competitiveness - jeopardising employment opportunities and income levels.

The region has some of the largest exporters and importers of fossil fuels, as well as the highest rates of fossil fuel subsidies. The increasing dependency on fossil fuel imports exposes our region to the risks of oil price volatility, and the impacts of climate change.