The APP Work Plan calls for the use of government-industry task forces to develop sustainable solutions to the industry's shared challenges using "bottom-up practical action," according to a press release from the Aluminum Association, Washington. The plan uses private sectors, research communities and governments to drive sustainable development.
"The plan will bring together key experts and leaders focusing on these issues from the public, private and research sectors of our economies to share experience and technologies that help ensure the best results," J. Stephen Larkin, president of the Aluminum Association, said at the meeting's conclusion.
John Howard, the Australian prime minister, said "the partnership would result in a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the six countries by 2050 compared with what their emissions would be if they continued on their present path," citing research from the Australian government's resources bureau.
The Asia-Pacific Partnership has set up eight "task forces" covering areas such as power generation, steel, aluminum, cement and coal mining to develop technology programs and co-operate on ways to reduce emissions.
The Aluminum Task Force, co-chaired by the United States, cites that Asia-Pacific Partners account for 37 percent of the world's aluminum production. The aluminum industry is one of the fastest growing sectors, with rapid growth in developing countries. The industry can make additional improvements in environmental performance through the use of existing equipment (in particular perfluorocarbons emissions management), increased uptake of best available and affordable technology (including improved instrumentation), continued development and deployment of new technologies and increased recycling, according to a release from the Aluminum Association.
The APP aims to enhance current aluminum production processes by implementing best practice-use of existing equipment and to advance the development and deployment of new best practice aluminum production processes and technologies across partnership economies. It will also enhance sector-related data, including recycling and performance, and facilitate increased aluminum recycling rates across the partnership.
"Aluminum is an industry sector that can make practical, measurable contributions to clean development and the reduction of greenhouse gasses," said Steven J. Demetriou, chairman and CEO of Aleris International, Cleveland, representing the Aluminum Association in the United States.
"We are committed to harnessing the advantages of aluminum to achieve economic and social progress and to maintaining measurable improvement on environmental quality. Aluminum contributes to a sustainable future when efficiently recycled saving up to 95 percent of the energy required for virgin material. Other efficiencies include energy conservation from lighter-weight aluminum-constructed consumer vehicles, fully recyclable buildings and packaging," Demetriou said.
The APP meeting attracted minister-level government and private sector officials from Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the United States. Government ministers signed the APP Charter and Communique, establishing the operating structure to proceed. Ministers had the input of industry representatives on sustainable energy issues and technology development and deployment, and how industry and government can capture opportunities that meet objectives.
Representing the aluminum industry in their respective countries are the Aluminum Association (U.S.), the Aluminium Association of India, the Australian Aluminium Council, the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, the Japan Aluminium Association and the South Korea Nonferrous Metals Association.
Representing the U.S. government at the APP were Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton.