RENDER holds Climate and Energy Convening in Dumaguete

Last September 30, RENDER, in collaboration with the Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) Environment Committee, held a Climate and Energy Convening at Silliman University Campus, Dumaguete City. The convening aimed to explore the nexus between climate and energy, particularly on the fronts of climate mitigation via renewable energy, social engagement, and systems transformation.

RENDER Director under the Manila Observatory (MO) Tonichi Regalado, discussed the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) towards clean energy and climate change. The country’s ambition is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent, 2.71 percent of which is unconditional and 72.29 percent conditional, by the year 2030 within the sectors of agriculture, waste, industry, transport, and energy. In the Philippines, the private sector has been a driving force behind the country's energy transition initiatives. Technical experts argue that a net-zero commitment in the Philippines would undoubtedly prevent investment in inflexible fossil fuels and instead incentivize and accelerate renewable energy efforts by providing a clear long-term policy framework that reduces uncertainty for businesses.

Private companies have started to recognize the economic and environmental benefits of shifting away from fossil fuels, and many have made substantial investments in renewable energy projects. Given this, Regalado states further that a net-zero commitment in the country is plausible, provided that Southeast-Asian nations have an abundance of untapped RE potential, including ocean energy and geothermal energy. The Philippines particularly has immense offshore wind potential; the World Bank estimated over 178 GW of technical offshore wind potential in the country. However, the Philippines’ untapped energy potential and clean energy goals raise a more urgent question: if the country is to pursue a future in RE, how will this transition affect public health and livelihood? This question poses a multi-faceted issue of climate justice in the country, according to Mr. Regalado. It becomes clear that addressing climate justice involves ensuring that the benefits of these green initiatives are equitably distributed, particularly among vulnerable communities who are most affected by the impacts of climate change; this is where systems transformation comes in.

“Transformation entails system transitions strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and society, founded on equity and justice.” — Tonichi Regalado

A "Just Transition" in the context of climate change is a pivotal step towards ensuring that the path to a more sustainable future is both equitable and inclusive. At its core, a Just Transition seeks to ensure that the shift towards a low-carbon, sustainable economy is environmentally responsible and socially equitable. It encompasses a set of principles and actions that, when integrated into climate policies and strategies, can safeguard the rights and well-being of everyone involved - be it workers, vulnerable communities, and the environment. Investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate-resilient infrastructure are essential components of this transformation. Of course, governments play a crucial role in enacting and enforcing climate policies locally. Ms. Ruby Descalzo, Programs Manager at Verne Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping the government transition to “greener” energy sources, provided an overview of a Sustainable Energy Transition Roadmap for Dumaguete City that the LGU and the Manila Observatory are currently working on implementing.

Why Dumaguete? Negros Oriental has taken the pioneering step of implementing a renewable energy ordinance. This ordinance not only formalizes the adoption of renewable energy-focused policymaking but also introduces measures to encourage and regulate investments in clean energy. The Roadmap promotes energy reliability, security, and transition that will allow Dumaguete City, as a pioneer, to reach net zero by 2050. In fact, plans to apply solar PV systems on top of the Dumaguete City Hall are underway. The applications of solar panels will reduce the cooling load of the building and increase the building’s energy savings. The next steps in the future are to hold training sessions and seminars for the staff of the city hall to allow them to be self-sustaining and, eventually, to manage and replicate the pilot project in other structures within the city.Text Sample

To cap the day's discussions, the Director of For the Future Philippines, Raph Galvez, encouraged participants to think about the importance of social engagement and education. By contextualizing FTF’s capstone projects, such as “Fund the Forest,” a tree-planting and livelihood-building initiative, as well as “Sponsor a Student,” which is a scholarship program aimed to aid students in climate-affected areas, Sillimanians (and the youth) can help promote efforts to bring climate, culture, and education at the forefront of climate mitigation and adaptation to their local communities. Among other projects of the FTF, participants were provided a platform to volunteer and ignite discussions with one another on the social implications of climate adaptation in the country, better yet, in their locality.

Overall, the Climate and Energy Convening held at Silliman University was a fruitful event. It provided a platform for students and experts alike to engage in thought-provoking discussions that not only shed light on the critical intersection of climate and energy but also underscored the urgency of addressing climate justice and fostering a "Just Transition" toward a sustainable future. The event served as a catalyst for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative ideas, emphasizing the vital role that universities, communities, and individuals can play in driving positive change in the face of the climate crisis.