Climate body to review government energy policy

MANILA, Philippines - The Climate Change Commission (CCC) will lead a six-month comprehensive review of the government’s national energy policy in a bid to cut down the country’s dependence on coal.

President Aquino, as chairman of the commission, signed a resolution that will pave the way for the conduct of a national policy review and framework development on energy.

The review will be in accordance with a low carbon development pathway and national goals and targets for climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.

It is envisioned to set in place a clear government policy on coal-fired power plants, which are the biggest sources of man-made carbon emissions, according to a CCC statement released yesterday.

“We are happy that President Aquino signed the resolution, which is a major step to steer the country away from coal and accelerate the transition to clean, renewable energy that is consistent with our efforts to fight climate change and pursue the development of a green economy,” CCC vice chairman and secretary Emmanuel de Guzman said.

“It is the obligation of the government to act to save the people from climate change and not wait. The poor and the vulnerable stand to lose if we don’t act with urgency,” he added.

De Guzman said the review will pave the way for a swift transition to renewable energy, enhance energy efficiency and conservation, and ensure clean, affordable and reliable energy for the entire country.

He said this is an affirmation of the government’s resolve to mainstream low carbon development in accordance with the country’s commitment under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its intended nationally determined contribution (INDC).

Last October, the Philippines submitted during the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC its INDC in which the country pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2030, subject to support provided by developed countries.

The resolution urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy and the National Economic and Development Authority to harmonize policies and regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plants and assess their impacts on the environment.

The agencies are also urged to include low-carbon development and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in the formulation of all national and local development plans.

The CCC is chaired by the President and headed by three commissioners, one of whom will have a rank of Cabinet secretary and concurrently serve as vice chairperson of the agency.

The current commissioners – De Guzman, Frances Veronica Victorino and Noel Antonio Gaerlan – are serving fixed terms and will continue to serve under the administration of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte.

During his term, Aquino was criticized by various sectors following the approval of establishing more coal plants in the country.