APEC - Terms of Reference

I.MISSION

1.1. The mission of the APEC Expert Group on New and Renewable Energy Technologies(EGNRET) is to facilitate an increase in the use of new and renewable energy technologies in the APEC region. The activities of the EGNRET will be directed towards addressing the energy challenges identified and fulfilling the tasks outlined by APEC Leaders and Energy Ministers. In addition, the EGNRET will develop and implement projects and activities that contribute to the EWG’s objectives and strategic initiatives. These efforts will be primarily focused on contributing to the implementation of the following initiatives stated in Energy Ministers’ Statements and Leaders’ Declarations:

Doubling the share of renewables in the APEC energy mix from 2010 levels by 2030;

Energy Security Initiative (ESI);

Just Energy Transition Initiative (JETI);

Energy Smart Communities Initiative (ESCI);

APEC Smart Grid Initiative (ASGI).

APEC Policy Guidance to Develop and Implement Clean and Low-carbon Hydrogen Frameworks in the Asia-Pacific.

II.OBJECTIVES

2.1 The purpose of aforementioned APEC Energy Minister endorsed initiatives is to advance the use of renewable energy to promote sustainable economic development and growth within the APEC region. The initiatives address the principal objectives of the APEC EWG by fostering a common understanding of regional renewable energy technology issues, facilitating trade and investment in new and renewable energy technologies and services, and reducing the environmental impact of the energy sector through applications of new and renewable energy technologies to seek to advance APEC’s goals as outlined in APEC’s other guiding documents – the Putrajaya Vision 2040, the Aotearoa Plan of Action and APEC Leaders and Ministerial Statements.

2.2 In addressing these objectives, the Expert Group may be involved in the following types of activities, depending on the level of available funding and membereconomies’ priorities relating to renewable-energy development:

to reiterate efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally through existing targets and policies as well as demonstrate similar ambition with respect to other zero and low emissions technologies including abatement and removal technologies in linewith domestic circumstances by 2030;

to develop a roadmap to double the share of renewables from 2010 levels in the APEC energy mix by 2030, including in power generation;

to promote research, development, deployment, demonstration, and commercialization of clean and low-carbon energy technologies;

to facilitate workforce transitions, reskilling, and upskilling to accelerate clean, sustainable, just, affordable, and inclusive energy transitions;

to conduct research and share best practices to fulfill APEC Leaders’ energy commitments, including carbon intensity reduction and expanding renewable energy access;

to enhance cooperation among APEC economies, international organizations, and stakeholders to minimize duplication of efforts through joint projects, workshops, and initiatives;

to facilitate knowledge sharing on energy-smart communities through the Energy Smart Communities Initiative (ESCI) Knowledge Sharing Platform (KSP) and the ESCI Best Practices Awards;

to promote exchanges on best practices integrating utility-scale battery energy storage systems and demand response mechanisms into the energy systems of APECeconomies, including on economic, technological and regulatory aspects.

to promote exchanges on best practices on energy access for Indigenous, rural, and remote communities using autonomous hybrid power systems based on solar, wind,and energy storage technologies.

to advance smart energy/power systems by deploying intelligent grids and digital technologies including Artificial Intelligence to enhance the flexibility, resilience andreliability of power systems;

to promote Just Energy Transitions by integrating gender equality, well-being, and inclusive development in renewable energy deployment, ensuring engagement ofMSMEs, Indigenous Peoples, and remote communities.

to monitor and evaluate progress of implementing the APEC Policy Guidance on clean and low-carbon hydrogen frameworks.

to promote urban sustainable development in the APEC region through sustainable cities development and the exchange of best practices on deployment of new andrenewable energy technologies combined with smart grid, energy efficiency, etc.;

to conduct research related to doubling the share of renewables by 2030 in APEC’s energy mix, and supporting the reduction of carbon intensity in the APEC region;

to strengthen collaboration with other APEC fora such as EGCFE, EGEDA, EGEEC, APERC, APSEC, Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS), Policy Partnership onScience, Technology, and Innovation (PPSTI), Transportation Working Group (TPTWG),and disseminating results of related APEC projects, e.g., APEC Peer Review on LowCarbon Energy Policies (PRLCE), and APEC Peer Review on Energy Efficiency (PREE),etc.;

to collaborate with International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Energy Research Institute Network (ERIN), Clean Energy Solutions Center from the Clean Energy Ministerial, and International Copper Association Ltd. (ICA) on promotion of renewable energy in the APEC region.

III.STRATEGIES

3.1 In carrying out the above tasks, the Expert Group is to be guided by the following strategies:

to foster technology transfer for renewable energy based on local and regional industrial development;

to engage industry, financial institutions, government officials, and NGOs, as appropriate;

to improve the level of information exchange between member economies on existing initiatives to address market barriers;

to assess the potential for replicating successful initiatives to breakdown market barriers;

to identify and pioneer new initiatives to breakdown market barriers;

to establish links with - and use of - existing technology-information databases and clearing houses;

to encourage the development and use of energy planning tools that include renewable energy.

IV.ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS and OPERATION

4.1 The Terms of Reference of EGNRET will be reviewed every two years.

4.2 The chair and vice-chair of the expert group are elected by consensus at expert group meeting for a two-year term of office. Any elected Chair or Vice-Chair can normally serve no more than two consecutive terms of office.

4.3 An EGNRET secretariat will be established to assist the chair in organizing EGNRET meetings and provide administrative support to the EGNRET. The secretaries will be nominated by the chair, and endorsed by EGNRET Representatives to hold the EGNRET secretariat.

4.4 In the event that the chair cannot attend a specific EGNRET meeting, then the vicechair will serve as chair for that meeting, or alternatively the chair may designate the EGNRET secretariat or co-chair to chair the meeting on his/her behalf.

4.5 The hosting of expert group meetings is on a voluntary basis. The EGNRET meetings will be held once or twice per year depending on whether there are member economies volunteering themselves to host. The host economy shall do its best to assist with the conduct of expert group meetings, including the provision of support/secretarial staff.

V.Quorum

5.1 Quorum for EGNRET meetings constitutes attendees from 14 economies. Should the EGNRET fail to meet quorum for two consecutive meetings it will be referred to Senior Officials for a decision on whether it should continue to exist.

VI.REPORTING

6.1 EGNRET will report to the EWG at minimum, annually.

VII.ADHERENCE TO APEC GUIDELINES POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

7.1 All APEC branded products, actions, project proposals and events must be endorsed in advance by EWG. EGNRET will operate in full compliance with APEC rules, and established practices, including APEC Guidelines on Managing Cooperation with non-

7.2 All outputs of EGNRET must be made available in English for public use.

7.3 EGNRET cannot establish new study centers, websites, platforms, substructures or other institutions without the approval from the EWG and SCE.

VIII.Term and Review

8.1 EGNRET assumes the same term as its parent body, the EWG and has a term of four years starting from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029. Prior to the expiration of this and any subsequent term, EGNRET and its ToR shall be reviewed (by EGNRET and EWG) and subsequently by the SCE and a recommendation on renewal put to Senior Officials for approval. EGNRET must be explicitly renewed by Senior Officials in order to continue prior to the expiration of this Terms of Reference.