The LEDS workshop was held over two half-days on the margins of the joint Energy and Transport Ministerial Conference in September 2011, The central objective of the event was to highlight linkages between APEC green growth and energy goals and Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS).  LEDS is a strategic framework that helps economies articulate concrete actions, policies, programs and implementation plans to meet development objectives, improve environmental management, and boost economic growth. The event sought to illustrate the importance of long-term and low-carbon planning to achieve green growth goals, including the integration of climate change considerations across government and the economy, and highlight the link of planning to achievement of APEC energy priorities. In addition, the workshop Engage audiences outside of environment ministries with vital roles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in particular agencies with equities in development, transportation and energy and private firms and non-governmental.

Experts and participants strongly agreed that in both energy and transport sectors, it is critical to engage the private sector in low emissions development.  Sustainable development has benefits that extend far beyond economic, and include research and development, energy security and health.APEC can continue to expand the knowledge base on LEDS, as participants expressed a strong interest in APEC continuing work on LEDS. Specifically, based on discussions held with participants, APEC could look at ways to hold in depth sessions on the following topics for regional experts:

–          Strategies and effective approaches for mobilizing private sector finance

–          Understanding price signals and getting them right.

–          In depth training on LEDS actions for energy and transportation

–          Data collection, statistics and modeling for the energy and transport sectors