Low Carbon News in Philippines in May 2016
7 May 2016
Philippines investigates Shell and Exxon over climate change
Last month, lawyers for the petitioners met with the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR), a constitutional body tasked with investigating human rights violations. Their goal was to identify expert witnesses for a hearing into the liability of 50 of the biggest fossil fuel companies for violating the human rights of Filipinos as a result of catastrophic climate change.
12 May 2016
Philippines: World Bank Approves Two Projects To Expand Electricity Access For Poor, Remote Households
The World Bank has approved two projects to boost investments in renewable energy in the Philippines and help bring electricity to millions of poor families in far-flung areas of the country.
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$44 million guarantee under the Philippines Renewable Energy Project (PhRED) to help reduce risks of commercial lending to electric cooperatives. This guarantee will enable these cooperatives to expand their electricity network, invest in renewable energy like small hydroelectric and solar power plants, and expand electricity access for poor households.
13 May 2016
Philippines climate body urges new president to ditch coal
The government has approved 29 coal-fired power plants and counting. It puts the polluting fuel on course to generate 56% of electricity by 2020, according to consultancy firm IHS.
That conflicts with efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the CCC warned, calling for a lower carbon mix.
Prior to the 9 May poll, Duterte – who campaigned on a crime-cutting platform – said the country should remain open to having new coal-fired power plants.
18 May 2016
Climate Change Commission sets sweeping review of PHL energy policy
President Benigno S. Aquino III has set into motion an urgent and comprehensive review of the government’s energy policy to cut down the country’s dependence on coal and move to a low-carbon future.
In Commission Resolution No. 2016-001, which President Aquino signed on 18 May 2016, the Climate Change Commission will lead key government agencies in facilitating within the next six months “a national policy review and framework development on energy, through a whole-of-nation approach, in accordance with a low carbon development pathway and national goals and targets for climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.”
Source: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/on-alert-the-philippines-and-climate-change
25 May 2016
First Philippine Holdings Corporation, subs to draw up low-carbon roadmap
Two subsidiaries of Lopez-led First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPH) will spearhead decarbonisation efforts of the group’s non-energy subsidiaries by eventually sourcing all their power needs from low-carbon sources.
The two subsidiaries – Rockwell Land Corporation and First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) – are drafting roadmaps, under which all their power needs will eventually come from low-carbon energy suppliers. The low-carbon preference will serve as guide in future power supply contracts to be signed by Rockwell and FPIP.
Source: http://www.rappler.com/bulletin-board/134203-fph-subs-low-carbon-roadmap
26 May 2016
Lopez firms vow to tap low-carbon suppliers
Following a bold declaration by Lopez-led First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH) to shun any investment in coal energy, two non-energy subsidiaries have committed to contribute to climate change mitigation initiatives by sourcing all their power needs from low-carbon suppliers.
In a statement Wednesday, FPH said two of its subsidiaries—property developer Rockwell Land Corp. and industrial estate developer First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP)—were drafting roadmaps toward a low-carbon preference. This will serve as guide in future power supply contracts to be signed by Rockwell and FPIP.
Source: http://business.inquirer.net/210577/lopez-firms-vow-to-tap-low-carbon-suppliers#ixzz4B3F00K2I