EDITORIAL - Shifting to clean energy

As the nation prepares for a change of leadership, the Climate Change Commission is set to undertake a six-month review of the country’s energy policy, reportedly with the aim of reducing coal consumption. The CCC review is in line with the country’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2030.

Businessmen have cautioned the government about the measures that might be imposed to achieve the goal, warning about moves that would dampen investments, cut jobs and raise consumer prices. The 70 percent cut was committed by President Aquino at the historic climate conference in Paris last year, during which 150 countries agreed to limit global warming to an annual average of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte has promised to honor the country’s commitments to the international community. At the same time, however, Duterte has also made it clear he would not stop the construction of 25 coal-fired power plants that President Aquino approved in 2015 alone.

Both the President and Duterte have pointed out that developing countries such as the Philippines need assistance from affluent states, many of which are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, in reducing carbon emissions. Wealthy nations used cheap coal extensively in industrialization, causing global warming, and now want developing countries to avoid the same route and instead leapfrog to clean but expensive renewable energy.

In a country with limited, unreliable and expensive electricity, coal remains the cheapest source of power. Even with the change of leadership, there is no indication that the government will apply the brakes on the use of coal for power plants. What the government can do is to pursue what proponents say are cleaner technologies for utilizing coal. At the same time, the government must boost support for the development of renewables so the nation can be gradually weaned away from fossil fuels.

Apart from having international commitments to fulfill, the nation must consider the health of people and the environment in areas where coal-fired power plants are built. Fighting global warming has always been complicated. The nation is blessed with renewable energy resources such as geothermal and natural gas reserves. The country may not be able to drastically cut its dependence on fossil fuels in the immediate future, but it’s never too early to begin shifting to clean energy.