Groups welcome ADB support to PH clean energy goals
Civil society groups on Wednesday welcomed the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to the Philippines’ clean energy goals.
“ADB is fully supportive of the COP21 (Paris climate talks) outcomes. We are fully supportive of the country’s clean energy ambitions,” Richard Bolt, ADB’s country director for the Philippines, said on the sidelines of the 11th Asia Clean Energy Forum.
Bolt reacted to calls demanding the bank to respond to the review of the Philippine energy pathway, consistent with the 1.5°C global warming limit referenced in the Paris climate talks as well as with global energy trends.
“The Duterte administration’s goal to transition early to clean energy deserves full support from the international investment community. We applaud ADB’s positive response and hope they will follow through,” said Renato Redentor Constantino, executive director of Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities.
“They will find ready partners in incoming NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) chief Ernesto Pernia and Department of Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez. It feels like change is coming,” Constantino said.
Pernia earlier said that the Philippines should not push for too many coal-fired power plants in the country.
“We need to revisit those (coal-fired power plant) projects and I think we probably should not push too many coal-fired plants because they are bad especially for communities where power plants are built,” Pernia has said as quoted by Reuters.
“We are supposed to gradually, in due time, move toward more renewable energy,” Pernia added.
Last April, Duterte said his administration would work on the eventual phase out of coal power plants.
“The Duterte Administration agrees with the eventual phase out of coal power plants and other plants that use harmful fuels and steer the country for more investments in [renewable energy]. The timeframe of the phase out will be determined by the speed RE sources can replace coal,” Duterte stated in response to the Green Thumb Coalition survey late last April.
In the Green Thumb Coalition survey, Duterte achieved an overall rating of 56.77 percent clinching commendable scores on the issues of mining (61 percent) and people-centered sustainable development (74 percent). He, however, obtained the lowest score among the five presidential candidates in terms of energy transformation and democracy with 43 percent.
Civil society groups reiterated their call on the ADB to stop coal financing.
“The legacy of ADB in financing dirty energy is unquestionable,” said Glenn Ymata, the energy transformation officer of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice.
“We are prepared to take direct actions against the bank if their support for clean energy turns out to be rhetorical,” Ymata added.
Despite ADB’s commitment, the financing institution needs to be watched.
“ADB needs to be watched. Despite its commitment to the Paris outcome, its president is still encouraging the Disneyland notion of clean coal in Asia,” said Gerry Arances, convenor of Center for Energy, Ecology and Development. RAM
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