Energy Efficiency Guide for Asian Industries Debuts in Bangkok

BANGKOK, Thailand, January 18, 2006 (ENS) - Industry in Asia has a vast untapped potential to improve energy efficiency that is urgently needed as energy demands increase to serve a growing population, according to a new guidebook introduced today by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The "Energy Efficiency Guide for Industry in Asia" explores energy solutions through case studies in over 40 companies in nine countries across Asia.

Over 200 participants representing industry, government agencies, the finance sector, and other industry stakeholders attended this launch event. The guide will be launched nationally in eight other countries over the next three months.

The guide gives companies information they can use to reduce production costs through real company examples, a methodology, technical information, tools, and a contact and information database.

Armed with the guide, companies can improve environmental performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change.

Map Ta Phut Olefins Plant in Thailand's Rayong Province uses natural gas as fuel. (Photo courtesy National Petrochemical Public Co Ltd)

The 40 Asian companies in the cement, chemicals, ceramics, pulp and paper, and steel sectors were each able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by several tons to more than 85,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year by taking energy efficiency measures.

In the process, each company saved money - from a few hundred dollars up to US$4 million a year.

The guide was developed by UNEP with national bodies in Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

The Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research worked with six Thai businesses to improve energy efficiency.

"Energy efficiency is vital because rising oil prices threaten Thailand's energy security and economic growth," said Thai Minister of Science and Technology Pravich Rattanapien. "Technological research can help companies to find new technologies that reduce energy consumption."

Thai Minister of Science and Technology Pravich Rattanapien also chairs the National Science and Techology Development Agency. (Photo courtesy NSTDA)

"Thai and other Asian companies face growing competition and energy efficiency reduces industry's production costs while also addressing public concerns about climate change," Namchaisiri said.

The "Energy Efficiency Guide for Industry in Asia" is available in English, Bahasa Indonesia, Chinese, Sinhala, Thai and Vietnamese. A more detailed guide is available on CDrom and at: www.energyefficiencyasia.org.

The guide will be distributed at the 9th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council and Global Ministerial Environment Forum to be held February 7 to 9, 2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Topics that will be discussed during the session are energy and the environment, and tourism and the environment.

The "Energy Efficiency Guide for Industry in Asia" is the primary output of the project Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction from Industry in Asia and the Pacific (GERIAP) which seeks to support Asian businesses to address climate change by becoming more energy efficient, and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and costs. Based in Bangkok, GERIAP is online at: www.geriap.org