Baguio execs vow zero carbon emissions by 2050

WALKABLE CITY | Baguio City’s Wright Park is packed with tourists during Christmas holiday in this photo taken on Dec. 29, 2023. The summer capital is promoting carbon-free mobility in support of the global efforts to address climate change. (Photo by NEIL CLARK ONGCHANGCO / Inquirer Northern Luzon)

BAGUIO CITY, Benguet, Philippines — Officials of this city have declared an ambitious plan to achieve a “net zero carbon emission” by 2050 across all sectors in the city.

“We commit to enhancing energy efficiency across all sectors, including transportation, buildings and industries, through implementing innovative technologies and sustainable practices,” Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in a statement posted by the Baguio City Public Information Office (BCPIO) on Facebook on Sunday.

A key part of the goal would be for the city to transition toward electric vehicles and expand public transportation while establishing more safe bicycle lanes to promote carbon-free mobility, according to Magalong.

Baguio, which has been attracting thousands of tourists, especially during weekends and holidays due to its cool climate, has also had to deal with congested streets and heavy traffic. This despite calls from local officials for tourists to leave behind their vehicles in their accommodation areas while going around the city.

According to Magalong, Baguio would continue to strengthen its identity as a “walkable city” by continuously improving pedestrian infrastructure to reduce transportation emissions.

“We will promote a circular economy, minimize waste, and maximize recycling efforts to shrink the carbon footprint associated with waste management,” the mayor said.

He said the city government also committed to “raising public awareness around carbon reduction and sustainable living, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship among Baguio citizens.”

Only last week, the city council took steps to help manage Baguio’s waste by confirming the memorandum of agreement entered into by Magalong and the Metro Global Renewable Energy Corp. for the city to supply its acceptable solid waste to be used as feedstock to the proposed waste-to-energy facility that would be built in Sablan town of Benguet province, a report from the BCPIO said on Sunday.

Paris Agreement

According to the BCPIO, the city’s zero carbon emission declaration was aligned with keeping global heating below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as protected by the Paris Agreement and required by climate science to avoid catastrophic warming impacts.

“Recognizing the urgency of addressing the root cause of climate change and understanding [that] transitioning to a carbon-free world is not only a responsibility but an opportunity to build sustainable and resilient future for all, the city government of Baguio declares our steadfast support for the global efforts to make the world carbon-free,” Magalong said.

The mayor assured that the city government and the local business sector and communities have shown willingness to “transition towards renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, carbon, sequestration, circular resource flows, and nature-based solutions.”