DENR holds forum to promote low-carbon economy today

MANILA, Philippines - A forum to promote low carbon economy is set today at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as part of initiatives on “greening” local industries to help in global efforts to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change and global warming.

DENR Secretary Lito Atienza said the forum, which will be held at the agency’s social hall, is expected to emphasize the importance and benefits of utilizing low carbon production practices for the country’s local industry sector.

The forum is among the DENR’s activities to highlight the celebration of June as the Philippine Environment Month, and in support of the World Environment Day last June 5 amid international consensus to combat climate change.

“The shift to a low carbon economy will change how industries operate, the products that we use and our lifestyles. Businesses and consumers can benefit from significant savings and resource efficiency measures that will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and help make our climate a safer one,” Atienza noted.

According to Atienza, resource persons for the forum are technical experts and leaders in the business sector, who will talk about topics on low carbon production patterns in various industry sectors.

Among those who will present their company’s best practices are representatives from the Philippine Business for the Environment, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines, and Holcim Philippines, Inc.

Particularly, the DENR chief said the conference discussion would focus on policies, strategies, regulatory and institutional framework as well as support services required by industry to shift to more sustainable patterns of production.

How countries in the region can best benefit from new opportunities created by the shift to a resource-efficient and low-carbon economy will also be tackled at the conference, he added.

Further, Atienza said the forum is in preparation for the Philippine hosting of the International Conference on Green Industry in Asia on Sept. 9-11 this year at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

He said the DENR is spearheading the hosting of the conference, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).