Energy transition: Collaboration as catalyst for change

CLIMATE change is not merely an environmental issue; it is a multifaceted challenge that transcends borders, disciplines and sectors. It is a crisis that affects our health, livelihoods, ecosystems and very way of life. The Philippines is no stranger to being at the forefront of climate impacts. Our country faces increasingly severe weather events, rising sea levels and shifting climate patterns. Typhoons, flooding, droughts and other climate-related disasters have far-reaching consequences for our lives, communities and economy.

In recognition of the urgency of climate action, the Philippine government has prioritized this issue in our development agenda. The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) ranks the Philippines 7th, one position lower than 6th in 2023, while still maintaining an overall high-performance status. As the top-ranked country in Southeast Asia, the Philippines receives mixed ratings across the four main CCPI categories: very high in energy use, high in greenhouse gas emissions, medium in climate policy and low in renewable energy.

During the Philippines-Canada Forum on Energy Transition hosted by the Stratbase Institute, in partnership with the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines and Natural Resources Canada, Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, Department of Environment and Natural Resources undersecretary for finance, information systems and climate change, highlighted key initiatives that illustrate the government’s commitment to energy transition.

Among these initiatives are the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP), which serve as blueprints for mitigating and adapting to climate impacts, enhancing our resilience and facilitating a shift toward a low-carbon development pathway.

The NAP identifies four significant climate impact drivers: rising temperatures, sea level rise, intensifying rain-fed flooding and increased typhoons — threats that are expected to worsen over the coming decades. It estimates that the cost of continuing inaction up to the 2030s can reach P645 billion annually across eight priority sectors.

Implementing the NDCIP will require around $72 billion, with 59 percent allocated to the energy sector, 21 percent to agriculture, 7 percent each to the waste and transport sectors, and the remaining 6 percent to industrial processes and product use. Ongoing efforts include updating the Nationally Determined Contribution, developing a Long-Term Strategy to Combat Climate Change, creating a Just Transition road map and exploring the potential of carbon markets.

In the development of the country’s Just Transition road map, there are six key considerations, which include socioeconomic development; environmental protection and ecosystem conservation; skills development, reskilling and upskilling of the workforce; exploration of new industries that may arise from this transition while supporting conventional industries in their decarbonization efforts; ensuring energy security, access and affordability; and addressing the transition challenges and opportunities within the transport sector.

Working as one

As the government pursues these initiatives, we must continue to recognize that addressing climate change and advancing energy transition is a collective effort. Collaboration is paramount, as no single entity can tackle the challenges posed by climate change alone. Partnerships with international allies, the private sector, civil society and local communities are essential.

The key is working together as one community, one nation, one humanity and one planet.

One community. Understanding climate change begins at the community level. It is within our neighborhoods and localities where we feel its effects most intimately. We must acknowledge that communities are not merely victims of climate change but are bastions of resilience.

One nation. While crucial, community-level action must be complemented by national policies and programs. Climate change is a complex issue that requires coordinated efforts across all levels of government, industry and civil society. Our nation must unify its goals and strategies, ensuring that we address climate change comprehensively and inclusively.

One humanity. The impacts of climate change are global in nature, reinforcing the notion that we are all part of one humanity. Climate change knows no borders; it affects every nation, every people and every individual. It reminds us that our fates are intertwined. The actions we take or fail to take will reverberate far beyond our national boundaries.

One planet. Ultimately, our planet is the common home that sustains us all. We are responsible for protecting it and ensuring it remains habitable for future generations. Climate change is a symptom of larger systemic issues, like unsustainable consumption, environmental degradation and the unequal distribution of resources. As stewards of this Earth, we must reexamine our relationship with nature and commit to a sustainable and regenerative approach.

Together, we can build resilient communities equipped to adapt to changing conditions. We can advocate for national policies that prioritize sustainability and climate action. We can ensure that our global community works harmoniously to combat this pressing issue. And all together, we can protect our planet for generations to come.

The author is the founder and chief strategic advisor of the Young Environmental Forum and a director of Climate Tracker Asia Inc. He completed a climate change and development course at the University of East Anglia (UK) and an executive program on sustainability leadership at Yale University (USA). You can email at [email protected].