Carbon neutrality by 2050
As the world marks the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, a promising movement for carbon neutrality is taking shape. By next month, countries representing more than 65 percent of harmful greenhouse gasses and more than 70 per cent of the world economy will have committed to achieve net zero emissions by the middle of the century......»»
EDC funneling P60B for geothermal push
Energy Development Corp., or EDC, the renewable energy subsidiary of Lopez-led First Gen Corp., is investing roughly P60 billion over the next three years to drill 40 new wells to sustain existing operations and stabilize its geothermal capacity. Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Net-Zero Carbon Alliance or NZCA Conference on Monday, EDC vice chairman and CEO Francis Giles B. Puno said the planned drilling will be done across the Visayas and Mindanao areas. “A lot of it will be in Leyte and also in the Mt. Apo area — all of that will help to sustain EDC’s operations. Geothermal plants are a 24-hour baseload source of renewable energy. Having said that, over the next three years, we’re in a campaign to make sure that it’s sustainable; we need to make sure that we can continue to extract sustainable steam from the ground,” Puno told reporters. Puno said EDC will bankroll the capital-extensive plan through internally generated funds, which will be done in phases. Of the total P60 billion required budget, half will be allocated for drilling operations, while the other half will be used to finish the steam extraction. Net-zero pact EDC is at the forefront of ushering in a consortium of Philippine enterprises to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The EDC’s NZCA Conference on Monday, for instance, discussed challenges and opportunities for local corporations on a net-zero journey, including solutions for hard-to-abate sectors. According to a report released by a group in June, nearly half of the world’s 2,000 biggest publicly listed companies have committed to a net-zero strategy. However, the report highlighted that a number of these companies fail to account for emissions generated by their supply chains or depend on unreliable methods to offset their carbon production. EDC is First Gen’s fully renewable energy subsidiary that has over 1,480 MW total installed capacity — accounting for 20 percent of the country’s total installed renewable energy capacity. Its 1,185.40-MW geothermal portfolio accounts for 62 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity, making the Philippines the third largest geothermal producer in the world. The post EDC funneling P60B for geothermal push appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
UN chief convenes ‘no nonsense’ climate summit, without China or US
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set Wednesday to host a climate meeting marred at its outset by the absence of speakers from the world's top two emitters, China and the United States. Despite increasing extreme weather events and record-shattering global temperatures, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and fossil fuel companies reap handsome profits. Guterres has thus billed the "Climate Ambition Summit" as a "no nonsense" forum where leaders or cabinet ministers will announce specific actions that deliver on their commitments under the Paris Agreement. The bar for making the podium was set high, with the UN chief making clear that only leaders who had made concrete plans to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions would be allowed to speak. After receiving more than 100 applications to take part, the UN finally released a list on Tuesday night of 41 speakers which did not include China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan or India. "Tomorrow, I will welcome credible first movers and doers to our Climate Ambition Summit," Guterres said Tuesday. Several major leaders didn't bother making the trip to New York for this year's UN General Assembly, including President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from the United Kingdom, who said he was too busy. US President Joe Biden, who addressed the General Assembly on Tuesday, sent his climate envoy John Kerry to the meeting -- though Kerry won't be permitted to speak. "There's no doubt that the absence of so many leaders from the world's biggest economies and emitters will clearly have an impact on the outcomes of the summit," Alden Meyer of climate think tank E3G said. He blamed competing issues -- from the Ukraine conflict to US-China tensions and rising economic uncertainty. "But I think it's also the opposition in many of these countries from the fossil fuel industry and other powerful interests to the kind of transformational changes that are needed," said Meyer. Catherine Abreu, executive director of nonprofit Destination Zero, said it was "perhaps a good-news story that we see Biden not being given a speaking slot at the summit" because the United States is continuing to expand fossil fuel projects even as it makes historic investments in renewables. "I think about this as being a correction from past summits, where leaders have been given the opportunity to take credit for climate leadership on the global stage, while they continue to pursue plans to develop fossil fuels, and continue driving the climate crisis back at home," she added. While the United States won't take the rostrum, California will be represented by Governor Gavin Newsom. From Britain, London Mayor Sadiq Khan will also attend. Growing anger The event is the biggest climate summit in New York since 2019, when Greta Thunberg stunned the world with her "How Dare You" speech before the UN. Anger is building among climate activists, particularly younger people, who turned out in thousands last weekend for the "March to End Fossil Fuels" in New York. Observers are eager however to see what Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and European Union President Ursula von der Leyen say both on their own goals and on financing commitments for the developing world. The failure of advanced economies, responsible for the majority of historic emissions, to honor their promises to the worst affected lower-income nations has long been a sore point in climate talks. There are some bright spots, including the announcement that Colombia and Panama are joining a grouping called the Powering Past Coal Alliance -- particularly notable as Colombia is the world's sixth biggest coal exporter. Wednesday's summit comes weeks ahead of the COP28 climate talks in the United Arab Emirates, where goals include tripling renewable energy by 2030, and ending by 2050 the generation of fossil fuel energy that isn't "abated" by carbon capture technology. The post UN chief convenes ‘no nonsense’ climate summit, without China or US appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
COP28 will include first local climate summit
A summit for non-national authorities will take place during crunch UN climate talks in the United Arab Emirates, officials said Tuesday, in recognition of the role of cities and local governments in averting ecological disaster. Named the "COP28 Local Climate Action Summit," it was announced on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the president-designate of the COP28 talks, and billionaire philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, who will co-host. Its chairs include US climate envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua, with the event to be held December 1-2. "Cities are where the climate battle will largely be won or lost," said United Nations chief Antonio Guterres in a statement. "Mobilizing and equipping local governments with the capacity and financing to accelerate climate action is necessary if we are to bend the emissions curve." In the fight to prevent climate disaster and hold long-term warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, the pledges and policies of national governments have long hogged the spotlight. But, according to a report by the C40 coalition of cities, a network of nearly 100 mayors, "three-quarters of C40 cities have outpaced their respective nation-states in per-capita emission reduction, illustrating the clout of city-led policies and initiatives." Around 70 percent of the world's people are expected to call cities home by the year 2050, and more work needs to be done to ensure subnational governments are prepared to meet the challenges of increasing climate disasters, organizers said. "By bringing hundreds of local leaders to COP28, we will foster new, multi-level partnerships to help fast-track the energy transition, fix climate finance, focus on people, lives and livelihoods, and make sure local voices are heard at the international climate table," said Jaber. Local leaders first convened informally on the sidelines of COP21 in 2015, where the Paris Agreement was adopted. "In the climate crisis, big leadership comes from small governments, and that's a great trend," Oscar Soria, campaign director for the nonprofit Avaaz, told AFP. "However, it also shows the lack of leadership from national governments, who are ultimately the ones that set the tone on ambition and progress on climate." The UN's first official progress report on climate published earlier this month concluded the world is perilously off course in meeting goals for slashing carbon pollution and boosting finance for the developing world. The post COP28 will include first local climate summit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Climate protesters throng New York, demand end to fossil fuels
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of New York on Sunday, calling for increased action against climate change ahead of the opening of the UN General Assembly. Taking up multiple city blocks, protesters from some 700 organizations and activist groups carried signs reading "Biden, end fossil fuels," "Fossil fuels are killing us" and "I didn't vote for fires and floods" in a demonstration that came on the heels of a summer marked by multiple climate change-linked disasters. US President Joe Biden is among the world leaders set to attend the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which is scheduled to formally open on Tuesday. "We are here to demand that the administration declare a climate emergency," said Analilia Mejia, director of the activist group Center for Popular Democracy. "We must wake up and take immediate action," she told AFP. A UN climate report released this month named 2025 as the deadline for global greenhouse gas emissions to peak -- followed by a sharp drop thereafter -- if humanity is to cap global warming in line with Paris Agreement targets. The 2015 Paris Treaty has successfully driven climate action, but "much more is needed now on all fronts," said the report, which will underpin a crucial climate summit in Dubai at the end of the year. Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 -- another Paris goal -- will also require phasing out the burning of all fossil fuels whose emissions cannot be captured or compensated. Mejia, 46, pointed to recent extreme weather events -- from fires in Canada, Hawaii, and Greece to flooding in Libya -- as demonstrating the seriousness of the "existential crisis" posed by climate change. Another activist, Nalleli Cobo, 22, told AFP she'd like to see political leaders "come to my house" in the western US state of California and "spend the night living next to an oil and gas well." Cobo, who has worked with Sweden's Greta Thunberg on climate campaigns, blames the "toxic air" she has been exposed to at her home for the ovarian cancer she contracted at 19. "Our lives are on the line," she said. Biden has made a historic push for green manufacturing, offering billions of dollars for clean energy projects, but some young activists say he has not acted forcefully enough to lead the United States off dependence on fossil fuels. California filed a lawsuit Friday against five global oil majors, alleging the firms caused billions of dollars in damages and misled the public by minimizing the risks from fossil fuels. Top world scientists warn that the world is likely to experience new record heat in the next five years and that global temperatures are more likely than not to breach a crucial threshold of an average 1.5 degrees Celsius rise. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has organized a Climate Ambition summit for Wednesday, during the General Assembly, at which he hopes to accelerate the ongoing work to counter climate change by governments as well as private sector organizations and financial institutions. "History will remember their action, or inaction," said Mejia. "And if we're lucky, human beings will be around to remember what (world leaders) did in this summit." The post Climate protesters throng New York, demand end to fossil fuels appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meralco bumps up RE source shift
The Manila Electric Company or Meralco has secured 1,880 megawatts or MW of renewable energy capacity — surpassing its initial target of 1,500 MW under the Renewable Portfolio Standards or RPS policy. The company reiterated over the weekend that increasing a portion of its supply portfolio from renewable energy is an integral part of its long-term sustainability strategy. “We will continue to elevate and evolve our sustainability initiatives as we implement our long-term sustainability strategy that involves the adoption of next-generation clean technologies and deep decarbonization efforts as we aspire to be coal-free by 2050,” Meralco first vice president and chief sustainability officer Raymond Ravelo said. Through Meralco’s strategic sourcing initiatives, renewable energy is expected to account for 22 percent of the distribution utility’s supply portfolio by 2030, and 18 percent of Meralco’s retail electricity supplier, MPower, by 2025. This will eventually allow the company to reduce its total carbon emissions by 15 percent vis-à-vis its projected baseline 2030 emissions, in line with its energy transition commitment. 35 percent RE by 2030 Under the RPS Policy, electricity suppliers are mandated to source a portion of their requirements from RE given the government’s goal to increase the share of clean energy in the country’s energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Currently, the RPS requirement is set at +2.52 percent per annum. Amid an aggressive sustainability drive, Meralco PowerGen Corp. or MGen, the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. or Meralco, recently announced that it earmarked P18 billion to accelerate its renewable energy expansion. The investment will bankroll the development of over 2 gigawatts or GW of gross RE capacity from solar and wind power — targeted to be delivered by the end of the decade or by 2030. The allotted budget will also help MGen and its renewable energy unit MGen Renewable Energy or MGreen augment its RE capacity to 1,500 MW as it will fund investments in larger green energy projects, including those with battery energy storage systems. The post Meralco bumps up RE source shift appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t seeks Indon capital
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno presented to Indonesia’s business community the Philippine economic plans for securing investments in infrastructure, energy and technology. In a statement by the Department of Finance on Thursday, it said Diokno conducted the talk in Jakarta City on Wednesday ahead of the 10th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting from 24 to 25 August. The listeners included members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Philippine Business Club Indonesia, and officials of foreign embassies in Jakarta. Diokno said the Philippine lawmakers are now studying all measures for faster public-private partnerships or PPPs as the Marcos administration aims to build 197 infrastructure flagship projects, including railways, airports and water management, among others. PPP crucial “The PPP Act, which is currently pending in the Senate, consolidates all legal frameworks on PPP and creates a unified system for investors to refer to when engaging in PPP projects,” DoF said. To build more capital for Philippine infrastructure development and diversify investment channels, Diokno said government agencies are now crafting the rules and regulations of the Maharlika Investment Fund. “This is the Philippines’ first sovereign investment fund that will serve as a platform for investors to engage in direct equity investments in Philippine ventures,” he said. Diokno said both the legislative proposal and newly approved sovereign fund will support economic expansion from liberalized investment laws passed by the previous Duterte administration. Diokno shared amendments to the Public Service Act which now allows full foreign ownership from 40 percent previously of various businesses, such as airlines and telecommunications. Amid growing concerns with climate change, the finance chief said this applies also to renewable energy facilities, such as solar plants. Indonesia, along with China and India, is among the world’s largest exporter of coal, according to the International Energy Agency. However, Indonesia vowed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, while it is 2050 for the Philippines. To ensure efficient management and profitability of infrastructure, Diokno said the government also eased processes for foreign investors under the Build-Operate-Transfer Law. “To help foster the development of high quality, modern, and sustainable infrastructure in the country, we wasted no time in building a fertile business and investment ecosystem for private players,” Diokno said. The post Gov’t seeks Indon capital appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meralco infusing P18B for RE bid
Amid an aggressive sustainability drive, Meralco PowerGen Corp. or MGen, the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. or Meralco, has earmarked P18 billion to accelerate its renewable energy or RE expansion. The company disclosed over the weekend that the investment will bankroll the development of over 2 gigawatts or GW of gross RE capacity from solar and wind power — targeted to be delivered by the end of the decade or by 2030. The allotted budget will also help MGen and its renewable energy unit MGen Renewable Energy or MGreen augment its RE capacity to 1,500 MW as it will fund investments in larger green energy projects, including those with battery energy storage systems. MGen started its journey towards a balanced, low-carbon energy mix through the opening of BulacanSol’s 55 MWac solar plant located in San Miguel, Bulacan in 2021. MGreen currently has an RE portfolio that also includes the 68MWac solar farm in Currimao, Ilocos Norte with Vena Energy’s Pasuquin Energy Holdings Inc. and the PH Renewables Inc.’s or PHRI 75 MWac solar farm in Baras, Rizal with Mitsui & Co.’s Mit-Renewables Power Corp. PHRI recently completed the commissioning tests for Phase 1 of its project involving 67.5 MWac which is scheduled for commercial operations by mid-August 2023. Phase 2 of the project is targeted to be operational by mid-2024. MGen president and CEO Jaime T. Azurin said the company is currently assessing other possible RE developments that it could take on in the future. It is aligned with One Meralco’s target to reduce its direct emissions by 20 percent through 2030 as it drives to be coal-free before 2050. Collaboration continues “We will continue to work with the energy industry, government, and other pertinent stakeholders to help further accelerate the country’s energy transition as we aggressively pursue more renewable energy projects,” Azurin said. This is in line with Meralco’s long-term sustainability strategy to embark on a just, affordable, and orderly transition to clean energy,” he added. These include the two solar projects: the 49MWac solar plant in Cordon, Isabela; and the 18.75 MWac solar plant in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija — both of which are among the winning bidders in the Department of Energy’s second round of Green Energy Auction Program. Based on the targets set by the DoE, the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix should increase to 35 percent by 2035 and 50 percent by 2040. However, it is still notable that despite an aggressive stance on clean energy use, the Philippines still relies heavily on coal. Coal, which is cheaper compared to other forms of power but more detrimental to the environment, is still the highest contributor to the power generation mix at nearly 60 percent. Renewable energy only takes a little over 20 percent of the mix as of last year. The post Meralco infusing P18B for RE bid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indonesia capital becomes world’s most polluted major city: monitor
Indonesian capital Jakarta has become the world's most polluted major city, according to air quality monitoring firm IQAir, topping global charts for days as authorities fail to grapple with a spike in toxic smog. Air pollution is estimated to contribute to seven million premature deaths every year and is considered by the United Nations to be the single biggest environmental health risk. The capital and its surroundings form a megalopolis of about 30 million people that has outpaced other heavily polluted cities including Riyadh, Doha and Lahore all week for its concentration of tiny particles known as PM2.5. It has topped Swiss company IQAir's ranking of pollution data -- which only tracks major cities -- every day since Monday, according to an AFP tally. Jakarta has regularly recorded "unhealthy" levels of PM2.5, which can penetrate airways to cause respiratory problems, many times the World Health Organization's recommended levels. President Joko Widodo told reporters Monday he plans to tackle pollution levels by reducing "Jakarta's burden" as the country prepares to move its capital to Nusantara on Borneo island next year. He also said a planned metro train network across Jakarta "must be finished" to reduce pollution. Residents have complained that the pollution caused by industrial smog, traffic congestion and coal-powered plants was affecting their lives and health. "I have to wear a mask all the time. Both my body and my face are suffering," Anggy Violita, a 32-year-old officer worker in Jakarta, told AFP. "Last week my entire family was sick for a week and the doctor told me I should stay indoors," the mother-of-two added. In 2021 a court ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by activists and citizens against the government, ordering Widodo to clean up the city's notorious air pollution and ruling he and other top officials had been negligent in protecting residents. Indonesia has pledged to stop building new coal-fired power plants from 2023 and to be carbon neutral by 2050. But despite an outcry from activists, the government is expanding the enormous Suralaya coal plant on Java island, one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. According to Greenpeace Indonesia, 10 coal-fired power plants are operating within a 100-kilometre (62 miles) radius of the capital. The post Indonesia capital becomes world’s most polluted major city: monitor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SM Prime commits to net zero by 2040
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia commits to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. SM Prime continues to collaborate with partners to pursue a climate-resilient future and mitigate the phenomenon’s harshest impacts. SM Prime is aware that the window of opportunity to act decisively is of utmost importance. This is why climate action and the transition to a net-zero business are at the top of SM Prime’s sustainability agenda. "We have been working with WWF-Philippines to help us establish our commitment and targets, and align with the global commitment which is to achieve net zero by 2050. SM Prime strives to work on achieving net zero emissions, or the point where our generated greenhouse gas emissions are in balance with our emissions reduction activities. We established our near- and long-term science-based targets for 2030 and 2035 respectively. This is currently being verified by WWF Philippines. We commit to achieving net zero by 2040", SM Prime President Mr. Jeffrey Lim said. SM Prime has been managing the transition to a low-carbon economy, which is why climate health, resilient design, and disaster risk reduction have played pivotal roles in its construction and design activities over the past decades. SM Prime addresses climate change by 1) expanding its renewable energy portfolio, 2) optimizing energy efficiency, and 3) conserving and protecting natural carbon sinks. Moreover, SM Prime is already implementing a large-scale energy and water conservation program that has produced outstanding results. SM Prime achieved its 2022 commitment to sourcing renewable energy for at least 50% of its electricity consumption. This development strengthens its commitment to the Department of Energy’s program of moving up the renewable energy supply component of the Philippines to 35% by the year 2030. SM Prime continues to support the transition to renewable energy through direct sourcing. Moreover, it has invested in various forms of manufactured, intellectual and social capital to prepare for a carbon-neutral future. SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. The post SM Prime commits to net zero by 2040 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Setting out on a journey towards climate goals
In order to build its climate strategy, Cebu Pacific (CEB) established a cooperation with South Pole, which will aid them towards their environmental goals. Leading climate organization South Pole creates the initiatives and solutions required to empower people all around the world to combat climate change. In support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Civil Aviation Organization approved the long-term global aspirational targets of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in 2022. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced its "Fly Net Zero" promise to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 a year early. "Cebu Pacific supports global aviation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. With South Pole’s guidance and expertise, we will develop a robust plan of action to prioritize interventions for emission hotspots in our operations. This roadmap will consider and fuse together the tangible initiatives that we have already put in place, as well as plans that will contribute towards our aspirations of meeting aviation’s net-zero commitment," said Mike Szucs, Cebu Pacific’s Chief Executive Officer. Szucs added that the engagement with South Pole involves CEB going through the rigorous process of understanding the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from its operations and setting its near-term and long-term emission reduction pathways. This roadmap will build into CEB’s current decarbonization strategy, which includes its fleet modernization program, fuel efficiency measures, successful integration of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its operations, transition to electric vehicles, and tapping renewable energy, among others. "CEB has been monitoring and reporting its Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2018. But as with other companies, Scope 3 emissions are a blind spot for Cebu Pacific, and we recognize the complexities in accounting for these emissions. To set a credible emissions reduction pathway, it is essential to have a comprehensive validation of our material emissions. Hence, we are tapping into South Pole’s climate expertise in this area," said Alex Reyes, Chief Strategy Officer, who also leads sustainability in Cebu Pacific. South Pole will support CEB in scoping its activities to identify the relevant Scope 3 emissions from its entire upstream and downstream value chains. "To drive a sustainable long-term recovery in the aviation industry, we must continue to facilitate global climate action to achieve net zero by 2050... By placing climate at the center of its strategy, we are confident that CEB will make great strides in its climate journey, and we are proud to support CEB in achieving its sustainability goals," said Shruti Singh, South Pole’s Director, Climate Strategies for Asia Pacific. CEB’s climate strategy roadmap that will be developed under the engagement ensures that its emissions reduction pathway is aligned with climate science and with the global temperature targets under the Paris Agreement. The aviation industry, which, according to IATA, is responsible for 2–3% of global emissions, has a crucial role to play in this transition. The post Setting out on a journey towards climate goals appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
APAC energy leaders reaffirm commitment to sustainable power
In pursuing a sustainable energy future, the Technical Committee of the Association of Electricity Supply Industry of East Asia and the Western Pacific has once again convened to lay down plans to meet the evolving requirements of the new generation of consumers. The AESIEAP Technical Committee, in a recent conference, tackled innovative opportunities, particularly in the areas of smart grid and asset management, sustainable power generation, electric mobility, and standardization and adoption of next-generation technologies. Hosted by an AESIEAP Team Philippines coalition composed of Manila Electric Company, National Power Corporation, National Transmission Corporation, and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the conference was attended by key executives and technical officers from power and energy companies from China, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau. AESIEAP Technical Committee chairman Ronnie L. Aperocho said the goal of the group was to lay the foundation for a low-carbon and green energy future, which will be the focus of this year's Conference on Electricity Power Supply Industry that will be held in China in October. The Department of Energy, meanwhile, called on the electricity supply industry to be sensitive to the needs of current and future customers while exploring new and efficient technologies and climate-proofing energy infrastructures. Given the need to diversify the country's energy mix, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara reiterated the Philippine government's proactive efforts to prioritize the acceleration of renewable energy development towards a sustainable and low-carbon energy future. "Innovations, the ability to adopt new technologies, and adapt to new situations are the key characteristics of an electric supply industry that will survive until 2050 when we hit Net Zero," Guevara said. Aperocho, who also currently sits as Meralco's executive vice president and chief operating officer, also emphasized the importance of harnessing already existing technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced metering infrastructure, renewable energy integration and nuclear energy, to further elevate the electric power industry. "AESIEAP will continue to be a major driver and an influential coalition that would relentlessly prepare the industry, set standards and put in place enabling policies toward achieving a sustainable energy future," Aperocho concluded. Established in 1975, the AESIEAP is the largest organization of the power and energy industry in the Asia-Pacific region that aims to foster cooperation through the exchange of expertise and technology among electric power companies. The post APAC energy leaders reaffirm commitment to sustainable power appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Shell says cutting output could worsen living standards
Shell's chief executive told the BBC on Thursday that cutting gas and oil output would be "irresponsible" because it could further lift energy bills and worsen the cost-of-living crisis. Wael Sawan was asked about recent comments from UN head Antonio Guterres, who had declared it was "moral and economic madness" to invest in new fossil fuel infrastructure. Guterres made the remarks in April when he also accused governments and businesses of lying about their efforts to stem climate change. "I disagree with him, respectfully," Sawan told the BBC in an interview aired on Thursday. "I think what would be dangerous and irresponsible is actually cutting out the oil and gas production so that the cost of living -- as we saw just last year -- starts to shoot up again." He warned that strengthening demand from China and cold winter weather in Europe could send energy prices and bills surging. Domestic electricity and gas bills sky-rocketed after key energy producer Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine early last year. In turn, that sent inflation surging and squeezed living standards worldwide. Shell had meanwhile announced plans last month to keep its oil output steady until 2030, triggering an outcry from green campaigners. "The reality is (that) the energy system of today continues to desperately need oil and gas," Sawan added on Thursday. "And before we are able to let go of that, we need to make sure we have developed the new energy systems of the future. "And we are not yet collectively moving at the pace that requires that to happen." Shell insists that its overall goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 remains intact. The post Shell says cutting output could worsen living standards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
We are hurtling toward disaster, eyes wide open
I am very worried about where the world stands on climate. Countries are far off-track in meeting climate promises and commitments. The climate agenda is being undermined. At a time when we should be accelerating action, there is backtracking. At a time when we should be filling gaps, those gaps are growing. Meanwhile, the human rights of climate activists are being trampled. The most vulnerable are suffering the most. Current policies are taking the world to a 2.8-degree temperature rise by the end of the century. That spells catastrophe. Yet the collective response remains pitiful. We are hurtling toward disaster, eyes wide open — with far too many willing to bet it all on wishful thinking, unproven technologies and silver bullet solutions. It’s time to wake up and step up. It’s time to rebuild trust based on climate justice. It’s time to accelerate the just transition to a green economy. Limiting the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible. We must consider this as a moment of hope. But it will require carbon emissions to be cut by 45 percent by 2030. To help get us there, I have proposed a Climate Solidarity Pact — in which all big emitters would make extra efforts to cut emissions; and wealthier countries support emerging economies to do so. And I have put forward an Acceleration Agenda to supercharge these efforts. I urge governments to make it happen: By hitting fast forward on their net zero deadlines — so that developed countries commit to reaching net-zero as close as possible to 2040, and emerging economies as close as possible to 2050. Developed countries must abide by their commitments on finance, adaptation and loss and damage. They must also push multilateral development banks to adapt their business models, skill sets and approaches to risk — in order to leverage far more private finance at reasonable cost to developing countries to allow for a massive increase in investment in renewables. That investment is the only way to achieve global energy security independent of the present unpredictable market fluctuations. And in every country, without exception, civil society voices must be heard. They must be at the table helping to shape policy, and on the ground helping to deliver change. All of this action must be global. It must be immediate. And it must start with the polluted heart of the climate crisis: the fossil fuel industry. Let’s face facts. The problem is not simply fossil fuel emissions. It’s fossil fuels — period. The solution is clear: The world must phase out fossil fuels in a just and equitable way — moving to leave oil, coal and gas in the ground where they belong — and massively boosting renewable investment in a just transition. The fossil fuel industry and its enablers have a special responsibility. Last year, the oil and gas industry reaped a record $4 trillion windfall in net income. Yet for every dollar it spends on oil and gas drilling and exploration, only 4 cents went to clean energy and carbon capture… combined. Trading the future for thirty pieces of silver is immoral. The world needs the industry to apply its massive resources to drive, not obstruct, the global move from fossil fuels to renewables and reap the benefits in they themselves lead the transition. The world is watching — and the planet can’t wait. Excerpts from the Secretary-General’s opening remarks to journalists at a press conference on Climate, 15 June 2023. The post We are hurtling toward disaster, eyes wide open appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AirAsia strives ‘doing more with less’
By organizing its first Sustainability Day with the theme “Doing More with Less,” AirAsia began a new phase in its efforts to promote industry engagement and foster better collaboration. Led by Capital A chief sustainability officer Yap Mun Ching, the event featured in-depth exchanges on topics addressing AirAsia’s pathways to decarbonization, as well as challenges and opportunities in the implementation of these strategies. The line-up of speakers comprised of AirAsia technical heads and subject matter experts who tackled topics including how AirAsia is factoring ESG considerations into the deployment of its fleet assets, prospects for switching to greener biofuels, and opportunities for ESG financing and managing talents to meet its future growth needs. Delivering the opening and closing messages of the day, respectively, were AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd. chairperson Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim and AAAGL Sustainability adviser professor Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood. Capital A chief sustainability officer Yap said that this day marks the first time they are bringing all their key stakeholders from government officials, regulators, financial institutions, and aviation analysts, business partners, and the media to advance their understanding of the intricacies of aviation sustainability. As they rebuild their business post-pandemic, they are broadening and deepening their sustainability agenda by incorporating robust ESG practices into their strategic priorities so that they recover stronger and better. She added that since the aviation industry is difficult to regulate, obtaining net zero emissions by 2050 will require coordinated efforts from all industry players, not just airlines. Since the world is likely to hit an environmental tipping point quicker than anticipated and since the media practically serves as a reminder of this, it is imperative that everyone takes prompt action to recognize and make available the solutions that airlines need to minimize their carbon emissions. Yap mentioned that under AirAsia’s net zero plan, all airlines have four options for reducing carbon emissions: modernizing their fleet, accelerating the adoption of green operating practices, switching to biofuels and offsetting any remaining emissions. The A321neo, widely regarded as the most fuel-efficient aircraft on the market right now, is being added to AirAsia’s fleet, and the airline is also expanding and deepening its industry-leading fuel-efficiency program. According to Yap, whether the airline is using fossil fuels or biofuels, what should precede this question is whether they are using more than is necessary. AirAsia’s fuel efficiency program is one of the best, if not the best, in the world. Even as the airline explores new solutions, it cannot lose sight of its strength, which has enabled it to achieve among the lowest costs and emissions per seat in the industry. During the panel discussion, AirAsia’s fleet and flight operations leads discussed how the airline is implementing ESG factors into the deployment and use of its expanding fleet. There are presently 362 new A321neo aircraft on order for AirAsia, and they will be delivered between 2024 and 2035. Jonathan Sanjay, senior manager of Flight Operations Projects, Development, and Efficiency for AirAsia, claims to have worked for the company since 2015 and has already saved the company over US$130 million in fuel costs and CO2 emissions. In order to change its fuel mix before 2025, AirAsia is also looking into solutions for incorporating sustainable aviation fuel. Facilitating biofuels use The day’s session continued with remarks on the role of various stakeholders in facilitating the adoption of aviation biofuels by Christoph Behrendt-Rieken, the lead SAF expert of the EU-SEA CCCA CORSIA Project run by the EU Aviation Safety Agency, and options in ESG financing by aviation legal expert Teo Hui Ling, a partner at Reed Smith LLP. The day’s event culminated with a special tour of AirAsia’s engineering complex, RedChain, where participants were introduced to initiatives being undertaken by Asia Digital Engineering to revolutionize aviation. This was followed by a session on how AirAsia has used diversity, equality and inclusion to create its competitive edge over the past 22 years. In conjunction with the event, AirAsia also promoted its Guide to Aviation Sustainability, a handbook of aviation sustainability terms to make more accessible common concepts associated with the subject. The handbook also highlights outcomes from AirAsia’s own implementation of some of the measures listed. Publication of the booklet was supported by the airline’s business partners, namely Avolon, Honeywell, and Mirus. Aircraft Seating, PETRONAS, Shell Aviation, and SITA. More information on AirAsia’s Sustainability achievements, goals, and targets is available in the Capital A Sustainability Report 2022. The post AirAsia strives ‘doing more with less’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biggest-ever airliner order marks first day of Paris Air Show
European aircraft maker Airbus got the Paris Air Show off to a soaring start on Monday with the announcement of the biggest-ever order for civil aircraft, as the French president joined a big crowd for the event's return after a four-year Covid hiatus. The 500-plane deal with low-cost Indian carrier IndiGo kicked off what organizers have billed as the "recovery airshow" after the coronavirus ravaged the sector and the biennial trade fair was canceled in 2021. Fighter jets and civilian aircraft streaked across the sky while suited and uniformed delegations, including Ukrainian military officials and President Emmanuel Macron, toured the stands. This year's airshow has a new focus on defence following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as the industry's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, with French President Emmanuel Macron arriving in a helicopter partly using sustainable aviation fuel. Macron called for "restraint" to protect the environment but said measures for aviation should be "reasonable" rather than "punitive", adding that the world shouldn't "give up on growth". Huge traffic jams around Le Bourget airport outside Paris were a testament to the interest in this year's show, as aircraft makers field hundreds of orders and airlines brace for a near-record number of passengers this year. The Ukraine conflict has also prompted countries to boost military spending, which could benefit aerospace defense firms. While Russia has been excluded from the event, Ukrainian military officials toured the huge exhibition space at Paris-Le Bourget airport, some taking photos of missiles on display. Passion for air hasn't disappeared Macron announced that Belgium is to be admitted as an observer to the French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System program, which is seeking to develop the next generation of air combat technology. Macron, closing a ministerial conference on European air defense, called it a " major development". The FCAS is due to come into service by 2040 but has already suffered numerous delays. Also on the military front, Macron said that France, Estonia, Hungary, Belgium, and Cyprus are to jointly purchase Mistral short-range surface-to-air missiles. "This is a very fine example of sovereign cooperation between Europeans on a range that is entirely relevant and that was not sufficiently covered", the French leader said. There was star turns for the Rafale fighter made by France's Dassault and the American F-35 jet, with hundreds of visitors turning their phone cameras skyward and some plugging their ears against the deafening flypasts. Le Bourget offers a forum to announce deals with some 2,500 firms lining up to show off their latest planes, drones, helicopters and prototypes such as flying taxis. With 125,000 square meters (1,350,000 square feet) of exhibition space -- the equivalent of nearly 18 football pitches -- around 320,000 visitors are expected during the week-long event. "Passion for the air hasn't disappeared, that's good news," said Bertrand Godinot, easyJet's Netherlands and France director. Big deals Along with the Farnborough airshow in England, which takes place in even-numbered years, Le Bourget is a key sales event for the civil and defence industries. Airbus and rival Boeing compete fiercely in announcing orders for aircraft running into the billions of dollars. Monday's IndiGo-Airbus deal covers A320 family planes at a list price of $55 billion. Although closely held actual sale prices are usually lower, it marks the largest ever civil aviation order by volume, hailed by Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury as "an enormous milestone". Airbus and Boeing are also battling to solidify supply chains as they increase production to meet growing demand. The United States has a strong presence with 425 exhibitors, while firms from 46 other nations are present. China, which lifted Covid restrictions only at the beginning of this year, is also represented. However, Beijing is not displaying its first homegrown medium-haul passenger jet, the C919, built to compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. Flying taxis The airshow also hopes to open a window into the future as projects for flying taxis and other vertical take-off aircraft abound. Several prototypes will be on display as part of a "Paris Air Mobility" exhibition to showcase the latest innovations that developers hope will change how people travel. Macron arrived aboard Airbus' latest helicopter, the H160, in a flight fuelled with 30 percent sustainable aviation fuel before visiting the European group's stand where it laid out its net-zero-by-2050 plan. Macron had on Friday announced $2.2 billion to help develop technologies to reduce aircraft emissions. Air travel accounts for nearly three percent of global CO2 emissions but serves only a small minority of the world's population. With the industry targeting net zero emissions by mid-century, firms are turbocharging efforts to achieve it. The initial focus is on SAF, made from sources such as municipal waste and agricultural waste. But companies are also working to develop battery- and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The post Biggest-ever airliner order marks first day of Paris Air Show appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC assigns energy conservation officers
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has created posts for so-called Energy Conservation Officers to promote energy and fuel efficiency and conservation. The move was in compliance with Republic Act 11285, or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, and in support of the local government’s goal of achieving its Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan from 2021 to 2050. The ECOs will be assigned to the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department, the City Planning and Development Department and the City General Services Department. They will be responsible for ensuring compliance with RA 11285, leading the preparation, implementation, updating, and monitoring of the City’s Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan, issuing memoranda and guidelines on energy and fuel efficiency and conservation, and organizing meetings, workshops, and seminars regarding the implementation and promotion of energy and fuel conservation. The ECOs will also be tasked to develop a system for consolidation of required data and implementation to ensure timely preparation and submission of accomplished monthly electricity and fuel consumption reports and other reportorial documents. In addition to the ECOs, the mayor also created an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Technical Working Group to assist them in their duties and responsibilities. The TWG will be composed of the CCESD, CPDD, and CGSD as lead and the Office of the City Administrator, Department of the Building Official, City Architect Department, City Engineering Department, and Task Force Streetlights as members. Each department will designate one permanent and one alternate officer to attend to all matters related to the TWG. All city departments and offices have been ordered to submit the names of their respective EEC Focal Persons to the CCESD within 15 days following the effectivity of the executive order. “Aside from RA 11285’s goal of enabling local government units to reduce monthly electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10 percent, the formation of the ECOs can help us realize our target of lessening greenhouse gas emissions as laid out in Quezon City’s Climate Change Action Plan,” Belmonte said. The mayor said the city government is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development. “We believe that energy efficiency and conservation is a key part of the solution,” she said. The post QC assigns energy conservation officers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DENR inks MOU on nature-based solutions
Shell Pilipinas Corporation, a local unit of oil giant Royal Dutch Shell, is seeking more integrated carbon and development opportunities in the country to complement its sustainability thrust. The company announced on Thursday that it recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to kick off a joint identification and development of Nature-Based Solutions or NBS. The deal was signed by Shell Pilipinas President and CEO Lorelie Quiambao-Osial and Environment Secretary Maria Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga. It aims to document processes and activities that they can use as a reference to develop programs, policies, and regulations related to NBS carbon projects. NBS includes activities related to the protection and enhancement of natural ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal zones. These types of solutions help improve agricultural sustainability to help absorb or prevent the release of greenhouse gases, while also benefiting local communities and enhancing the biodiversity of the area. According to Osial, the partnership demonstrates a “significant moment where different sectors are coming together to make a positive difference.” Meanwhile, Secretary Loyzaga pointed out that the partnership will help the government achieve its climate and disaster-resiliency targets. Shell’s target of becoming a net-zero emission business by 2050 tops off the National Greening Program under Executive Order No. 193 for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The post DENR inks MOU on nature-based solutions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A new way to experience Switzerland
Leading global tour company Trafalgar and Switzerland Tourism are embarking on an industry-leading partnership designed to advance both organizations’ shared vision of a sustainable and equitable tourism industry. This first-ever “Swisstainable” travel itinerary from a global tour brand adheres to the destination’s commitment to sustainability. The new “Swisstainable” travel experience supports Switzerland’s natural and social resources and Trafalgar’s commitment to achieve net zero, of which low-carbon travel options are a key tactic. “Travelers today are very mindful about responsible tourism. Our partnership with Switzerland Tourism is a perfect example of how we are working towards net zero by striking a balance between the realities of our environment with the needs of local communities,” said Mae Cheah, managing director of Trafalgar, Asia. “We are excited to become the first global travel company to develop a tour, which is entirely serviced by ‘Swisstainable’ suppliers, and hence directly supports our climate goals and a number of wonderful community-driven projects in Switzerland.” Trafalgar’s “Contrasts of Switzerland” is an eight-day journey through Zürich, Saint Moritz, Zermatt, Geneva and Lucerne, and includes sustainable accommodations, experiences, meals, a new Make Travel Matter Experience and greener transportation considerations such as replacing vans with train travel on the Glacier Express and Golden Pass Train Line. Throughout this itinerary, travelers will have opportunities to enjoy nature up close and experience the local culture while consuming regional products as they travel through the majestic Swiss Alps, to the top of Matterhorn, the streets of medieval Lucerne and more. Small, women-owned local businesses in Zurich are directly supported in this itinerary. During a walking tour led by a local guide through old-town Zurich, travelers will learn about the medieval history of the city and current topics of social solidarity, as well as learn about the ethical production and conscious consumption of chocolate. Guests will also be introduced to the work done by those at Essen für Alle (Food for All), which distributes food to immigrants and refugees living below the poverty line in Zurich. Trafalgar, through parent company The Travel Corporation, has long been a leader in prioritizing measurable positive impact. Through the company’s detailed Climate Action Plan, Trafalgar became the first tour operator to have validated net zero targets with efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This new three-year partnership aims to introduce a range of “Swisstainable” products within the Switzerland program of Trafalgar as well as sister brands, Costsaver, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold. “This partnership will further help us to position Switzerland as one of the most sustainable travel destinations in the world,” explained Pascal Prinz, director of Global Accounts and Emerging Markets of Switzerland Tourism. The first departure of this fully ‘Swisstainable’ itinerary from Trafalgar was on 30 April. To learn more about the “Swisstainable” program, visit www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/planning/about-switzerland/sustainability/. The post A new way to experience Switzerland appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl gears up for green maritime economy
The Department of Transportation on Wednesday said the Philippines reiterated its committment to a green maritime economy during the launch of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Maritime Cooperation in the United States. “The Philippines is geared to implement its national contributions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as it strives for sustainability and clean growth by leveraging the full potential of the Paris Agreement (on climate change) and responding to post-pandemic needs,” Sarmiento said during the launch at the Port of Detroit in Michigan state on Tuesday. Sarmiento underscored the Philippines’ commitment to implement the International Maritime Organization’s Strategy on greenhouse gas reduction from ships and implement decarbonization “on a large scale,” while leveraging the full potential of the Paris Agreement. He said the Philippines is willing to enter into partnerships with other countries and collaborate on key environmental issues. “We look forward to it with great optimism and that this will serve as a foundation for an inclusive, green, and resilient economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, including establishing climate priorities, such as energy transition and nature-based solutions,” Sarmiento added. The event was attended by the US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and maritime officials from APEC member countries. According to the 4th IMO GHG Study, maritime transport emitted around 1,056 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2018, which is about 2.9 percent of global GHG emissions. To address this issue, the IMO adopted an initial strategy in 2018 to reduce GHG emissions from ships and phase them out as soon as possible. The IMO’s Initial GHG Strategy has three interlinked ambitions, namely the reduction in the carbon intensity of international shipping by at least 40 percent by 2030 compared to 2008; pursuing efforts to achieve a 70 percent reduction by 2050, compared to 2008; and reduce the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 50 percent by 2050. The post Phl gears up for green maritime economy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CEB takes delivery of A320neo bird
In keeping with its objective to switch to a more fuel-efficient NEO (New Engine Option) fleet by 2028, Cebu Pacific announced on Thursday that the airline has received its 10th Airbus 320neo aircraft on 16 April 2023. According to CEB, the aircraft used sustainable aviation fuel to fly from the Airbus Delivery Center in Toulouse, France, to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. This is the second of CEB’s 10 expected Airbus NEO deliveries for this year. CEB Strategy Officer Chief Alex Reyes said that the delivery of the 10th A320neo aircraft, powered by SAF, highlights the airline’s commitment to becoming one of the greenest airlines in Asia. CEB will continue to invest in these fuel-efficient NEO aircraft and incorporate SAF into their operations. Reyes added that the SAF is a drop-in fuel with properties similar to those of traditional jet fuels. It doesn’t affect performance negatively and doesn’t call for any modifications to the aircraft or engines. Using SAF reduces carbon emissions by up to 80 percent over the course of the fuel’s life. First low-cost carrier in SEA CEB became the first low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia to incorporate SAF into its operations when it delivered its third A330neo in May 2022. This year, the airline is expecting to take delivery of eight more Airbus NEO aircraft: one A320neo, three A321neos, and four A330neos. CEB’s sustainability goal is in line with global aviation’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The airline has made various investments that enable it to become more fuel-efficient in its operations while keeping fares affordable for passengers. In addition to fleet modernization, the airline’s key pillars for its sustainable journey are resource optimization, which includes promoting best practices for fuel efficiency, and integrating SAF into its operations. The post CEB takes delivery of A320neo bird appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»