PHL, Japan urged to push RE

THE DEAL between the Philippines and Japan on strengthening collaborative projects should focus on the advancement of renewable energy (RE) instead of liquefied natural gas (LNG), a clean energy think tank said.

“We are a country whose abundant renewable energy resources makes a 100% transition aligned to the 1.5 °C climate goal possible. The focus should be on unlocking this, and not in putting up more gas,” Gerry C. Arances, executive director of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, said in a statement.

The think tank raised its concerns on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Japan Bank for International Cooperation and private companies such as San Miguel Corp., Aboitiz Power Corp., and Metro Pacific Investment Corp.

Earlier, the Department of Energy (DoE) said it held a dialogue with a Japanese mission which seeks to strengthen their cooperation on developing collaborative projects that will advance efforts for decarbonization.

These include the utilization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transition fuel, renewable energy development, building resilient energy infrastructure and introduction of technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The projects will be developed through the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Japan-Philippines Project Development Platform which seeks collaborative projects based on the MoUs.

“LNG champions Japan and the United States should use the upcoming talks to make amends and ensure the prioritization of renewables in the Philippines and other emerging economies in the region, not gas or false solutions,” Mr. Arances said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera