Gov’t, private sector urged: Invest in climate-resilient houses

The Philippines’ Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Tuesday said that government and the private sector should start constructing houses and buildings that are resistant to climate change.

“The buildings sector has an oversized environmental footprint. More than 30 percent of global GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions are buildings-related, and emissions could double by 2050 if we carry on business as usual in a time of rapid urbanization and explosive demographics,” CCC Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman was quoted as saying during a climate change forum in Makati.

The Philippine government earlier vowed to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent.

De Guzman said this can be done by transforming the way buildings are designed, built and operated.

“The social sector housing needs to provide access to low-cost yet resilient homes to ensure security and safety for occupants. The design, construction and operation of today’s houses and buildings need to incorporate and address concerns of adaptation to climate change,” he said.

He said the National Shelter Program, for example, could be revisited since it was first undertaken by the government in 1978 when climate change was still not a global issue.

“[Are] current government housing units being built to climate change standards? Do the community plans include green environment and green infrastructure? We should find out about current public housing projects in order to make them NAMAs (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions)-oriented, climate-resilient and green,” the secretary said.

He said changes in the sector are economically beneficial and cost-effective ways to reduce energy demands.

“Providing more than 50 percent of global wealth, and one of the largest employers at the local level, this sector also offers a path to poverty alleviation,” he said.

De Guzman said they are willing to work with the private sector to reach the government’s climate change response goals.

De Guzman represented the country during last year’s Paris climate change negotiations, which resulted in an agreement that aims to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

READ: Nations adopt Paris agreement on climate change

Last week, the CCC said it has been directed by President Benigno Aquino III to review the country’s energy policy. De Guzman said there was a need to address the growing number of coal-fired power plants.

READ: Aquino orders climate commission to review coal, energy policy

Environmental group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) welcomed the plan, saying it was “better late than never.”

“If Aquino really wants to save face, he still has the power in his last month in office to suspend or cancel all contracts and permits of coal-fired power plants that have not yet started,”  Kalikasan PNE campaign coordinator Leon Dulce said.

In a month, Aquino will be replaced by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. His pick for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is not yet known but environmental groups fear that he will appoint a former military man with ties to mining companies and loggers. RAM