Greenpeace lauds Phl shift to renewable energy

 (The Philippine Star) - June 5, 2016 - 12:00am

http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/06/05/1590063/greenpeace-lauds-phl-shift-to-renewable-energy

MANILA, Philippines – Environment group Greenpeace has lauded the Philippines’ renewed push to address climate change by shifting to renewable energy (RE), calling on the incoming administration to put the resolution into practice.

Greenpeace said the Climate Change Commission’s (CCC) recently issued Commission Resolution 2016-001 calls for a national policy review of the country’s energy policy in order to reduce the country’s dependence on coal, implement a swift and just transition to RE, and pursue the development of a green economy.

 “It’s about time that the Philippine government agencies come together to address the escalating climate problem facing Filipinos. Our global demand will only have the proper moral ascendancy if we walk the talk and are also applying our same recommendations at home, “ Greenpeace Philippines country director Amalie Obusan said.

Greenpeace said RE sources abound in the country but its development has been hampered by bureaucratic and administrative hurdles in policies and business models that favor fossil fuels.

With the incoming administration, Greenpeace said it is looking forward to president elect Rodrigo Duterte putting the CCC resolution into practice.

“The Philippines is at the forefront of climate impacts. Filipinos lose their lives, livelihood and opportunities year after year as a result of extreme weather events. We know we cannot afford to go on a path of development that is not sustainable and which will negate our economic gains in the long run. The government has an upper hand in our fight against climate change at the national and international level.” Obusan said.

The recently released CCC resolution was likewise welcomed by Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change.

Legarda expressed alarm over the adverse environmental impacts of coal-fired power plants in the country and as such renewed here call on the government to tap cleaner and less wasteful sources of energy.

“I am in full support of President Benigno Aquino’s order to government to review the current energy policy and I hope he will seize the opportunity to push for pro-environmental projects to mitigate climate change which our country badly needs. Our goal to reduce carbon emissions will be impossible if we will continue to allow the construction and operation of additional coal-fired power plants, the nation’s top source of greenhouse gas emissions and the primary cause of global warming,” Legarda said.

“ I am optimistic that with the CCC resolution, stricter standards will be followed in the issuance of ECCs for plants, which should include the measurement of their greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on health and environment,” she added.