Low Carbon News in Philippines in October 2013
1 October 2013
Prospects for Carbon Capture and Storage in Southeast Asia
his report was produced under the Technical Assistance Grant: Determining the Potential for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Southeast Asia (TA 7575-REG), and is focused on an assessment of the CCS potential in Thailand, Viet Nam, and specific regions of Indonesia (South Sumatra) and the Philippines (Calabarzon).
It contains inventories of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission sources, estimates of overall storage potential, likely source-sink match options for potential CCS projects, and an analysis of existing policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks with a view toward supporting future CCS operations.
The report also presents a comparative financial analysis of candidate CCS projects, highlights possible incentive schemes for financing CCS, and provides an actionable road map for pilot, demonstration, and commercial CCS projects.
Source: Asian Development Bank, http://www.adb.org/publications/prospects-carbon-capture-and-storage-southeast-asia
1 October 2013
EU Commissioner Collaborating with Philippines to Curb Carbon Emissions
EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, has voiced appreciation of the Philippines’ support for the next climate deal, making all countries “equally and legally bound” to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“I think that we share some views on how, in the process between now and 2015, we both need to inject ambition into the talks [on climate change],” Ms Hedegaard said in a press conference in Makati earlier this month
Source: Climate Action Programme, http://www.climateactionprogramme.org/news/eu_commissioner_collaborating_with_philippines_to_curb_carbon_emissions/
2 October 2013
Mangroves are PH’s Best Shield vs Climate Change
Mangroves are the Philippines’ best hope for mitigating climate change.
While this conclusion was made in panel discussion at the 4th ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference here, an expert said the country’s original 500,000 hectares of mangroves has whittled down to 100,000 hectares or less – no thanks to coastal development, land conversion, and reclamation.
“Mangroves in general are one of nature’s best ways for combatting global warming,” said Filiberto Pollisco, policy and research specialist of ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), one of the speakers at a discussion on the relationship between biodiversity and climate change
Source: Rappler, http://www.rappler.com/science-nature/40420-ph-mangroves-climate-change
4 October 2013
Asia LEDS Forum 2013: Low Emission Development Can Improve Quality of Life
More than 240 government officials, practitioners, and experts gathered at the second annual Asia Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Forum in Manila, Philippines during October 1-4, 2013 to discuss and share best practices, tools, and ideas for achieving sustainable, climate-smart development in the largest and fastest growing region of the world. Participants came from 22 Asian and Pacific countries, and were joined by representatives from countries in Africa, North America, South America, and Europe.
Source: Asia LEDS Forum, http://lowemissionsasia.org/news/Asia_LEDS_Forum_2013_summary
5 October 2013
Low Emission Development Can Deliver Better Quality of Life
Approximately 250 government officials, practitioners, and experts gathered at the second annual Asia Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Forum in Manila, Philippines during October 1-4, 2013 to discuss and share best practices, tools, and ideas for achieving sustainable, climate-smart development in the largest and fastest growing region of the world. Participants came from 22 Asian and Pacific countries, and were joined by representatives from countries in Africa, North America, South America, and Europe.
Source: Asia LEDS Forum, http://forums.asialeds.org/?page_id=983
20 October 2013
Energy Outlook for Asia and the Pacific (2013)
This report attempts to identify policy, social, infrastructure, and technology issues that must be addressed to meet the future energy needs of members of ADB in Asia and the Pacific. Two cases of the projected energy demand and supply up to 2035 for ADB members in Asia and the Pacific are presented:
- a business-as-usual (BAU) case, which reflects the impact of existing policies and current technology levels on future energy demand and energy choice and which assumes that current trends in the development of new and renewable energy sources will continue into the future; and
- an alternative case that considers the potential for energy savings on both the demand and supply sides through the deployment of advanced and low-carbon technologies to increase energy security in the region.
For both outlook cases, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated and the investments required on the supply and demand sides were estimated.
Source: Asian Development Bank, http://www.adb.org/publications/energy-outlook-asia-and-pacific-2013
21 October 2013
Green Mobility 2023: Moving Transport Development Directions Toward a Safer and Environmentally Sustainable Goal
Its vehicular population also increases to around 600,000 inside the city and 2.1 million passing through its major thoroughfares, which means a mind-boggling 2.7 million vehicles putting a strain on the city’s infrastructure in a single day and presenting constant challenges to both national and city-level governing and administrative bodies. It is Makati City, and these population facts form the premise upon which the Makati City Transport and Traffic Summit 2013 was organized.
The beginning of this month saw the summit held at the Makati City Hall with the theme Green Mobility 2023: Moving Transport Development Directions Toward a Safer and Environmentally Sustainable Goal. The last traffic summit before this one was held almost a decade ago, so you can imagine how big a deal it was for Makati city.
Source: Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, http://www.ejeepney.org/which-city-is-home-to-530000-people-during-evenings/
23 October 2013
Palawan Aims for a 100% Renewable Energy Future
Palawan needs energy, and it needs it now, said Palawan Provincial Advisor for Energy Caesar Ventura to around a hundred Palaweños gathered in Mendoza Park, in the provincial capital Puerto Princesa on Tuesday, October 22.
It was the eve before the start of consultations for the province’s master energy plan. The goal is for the province to be 100%-powered by renewable energy and reduce electricity costs for the entire province.
The plan is long overdue. Palawan, an emerging tourist destination known for its natural wonders, is besieged daily by brown-outs and black-outs that sometimes last as long as 10 hours. The island is not connected to the national grid and is dependent on bunker or diesel fuel shipped in from other countries.
Source: Rappler, http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/173-power-and-energy/41998-palawan-renewable-energy-plan
26 October 2013
Is it Time to Retire the Philippine Jeepney?
A new electric shuttle wants to replace the jeepney and the system it represents and thrives in.
The COMET (City Optimized Managed Electric Transport) is a fully electric-powered city shuttle designed to render the jeepney obsolete.
Its state-of-the-art lithium iron phosphate batteries lets it travel 80 to 100 kilometers a day until the next battery charge. These batteries can last up to 7 years unlike the lead acid batteries of older e-vehicles which have to be replaced after one year.
Just like the jeep, the COMET is designed for in-city roads instead of major thoroughfares and highways. That’s why it can only go as fast as 60 kilometers/hour, slow for some but quite reasonable given the pace of city traffic.
Source: Rappler, http://www.rappler.com/nation/42273-e-shuttle-comet-ph-jeepney
27 October 2013
Third Asia Regional Dialogue of the Mitigation Action Implementation Network (MAIN)
The Third Asia Regional Dialogue of the Mitigation Action Implementation Network (MAIN) was held in Manila, Philippines from October 22-24, 2013. Sponsored by CCAP and hosted by the Philippines Climate Change Commission, the event aimed to build the capacity of developing countries to develop and advance the implementation ofNationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). The MAIN initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Building, Germany’s International Climate Initiative, and other funders.
Source: Center for Clean Air Policy, http://ccap.org/event/third-main-asia-dialogue/
28 October 2013
ADB, Japan to Help Promote Green Growth in Philippines’ Watersheds
A $1.8 million technical assistance (TA) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) will help local government units (LGUs) better manage three critical watersheds in the Philippines, reducing economic losses due to floods and landslides and improving the resilience of communities vulnerable to climate change.
“Integrating climate change concerns into the future development plans of these critical watersheds will help ensure that communities see fewer losses due to climate-related disasters and are better equipped to bounce back from impacts of climate change and variability,” said Ancha Srinivasan, Principal Climate Change Specialist in ADB’s Southeast Asia Department.
Source: Asian Development Bank, http://www.adb.org/news/philippines/adb-japan-help-promote-green-growth-philippines-watersheds
30 October 2013
Transport Takes Center Stage at Asia Low Emission Development Strategies Forum in Manila
The transport sector is the fastest growing major contributor to global climate change – it accounts for 23% of energy related CO2 emissions. In Asia, CO2 emissions are expected to experience a three- to five-fold increase by 2030 compared to the year 2000 if investment strategies and policies do not change.
In an effort to address climate change in Asia, the Asia Low Emission Development Strategies Global Partnership (LEDS GP) 2013 Forum was held during the first week of October 2013. Experts and decision-makers from Asia, Africa, and South America gathered in Manila, Philippines to collaborate and learn from one another with the intention of facilitating climate actions. The forum helped the LEDS Transport Working Group identify that the need of decision-makers and technical experts is neither to understand the importance of prioritizing climate action in the transport sector nor to know what to do, but rather how to plan, fund, and implement the appropriate transport programs and projects to reduce emissions. This finding supports the LEDS GP approach that provides the necessary networks, information, and tools to enable low emission development in Asia as it fights to decrease its vulnerability to climate change.
Source: The City Fix, http://thecityfix.com/blog/transport-takes-center-stage-low-emission-development-strategies-forum-leds-gp-manila-philippines-benoit-lefevre-angela-enriquez-camille-cauchois/