143
Further, the Commission recommends the inclusion of concrete methodologies
and investment plans to ensure implementation across all sectors, enhance
access to climate finance, and to get policy support from other States.
Last, and perhaps most important, is the need to increase the 2.71 percent
unconditional targets.The government must avoid reliance on external support
offered by undetermined cooperation agreements as these are often dependent
on the will of higher-income states. The Commission recommends that the
Climate Change Commission revisit the targets set in the NDC to genuinely
achieve the goals set in the Paris Agreement.
d. Implement Coal Moratoriums and Spearhead Transition to
Renewable Energy and Cleaner Energy Sources
In October 2020, the Department of Energy declared a moratorium on
endorsements of greenfield coal power plants and emphasized the need
to transition to a more flexible power supply mix that allows “the entry of
new, cleaner, and indigenous technological innovations.”611 However, the coal
moratorium does not cover projects previously approved by the Department,
nor does the most recent draft Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) reflect this
moratorium.
The Commission therefore recommends the formulation of a coal-exit policy
to spur the transition of the country to cleaner energy sources.
Measures to create an electricity market favoring renewable energy must
urgently be established. This can include: (a) tax breaks for ‘green’ investments
and jobs; (b) actualization of the National Renewable Energy Program which
provides the blueprint towards a triple renewable energy capacity by 2030;
and (c) crafting of renewable market rules mandating renewable auctions for
a more competitive electricity market. Policy measures, including subsidies
for wind, solar, hydropower, and other renewable energy sources, must be
611
Press Release by Alfonso G. Cusi, Secretary, Department of Energy, DOE Sec. Cusi Declares
Moratorium on Endorsements for Greenfield Coal Power Plants (Oct. 27, 2020), available at https://
www.doe.gov.ph/press-releases/doe-sec-cusi-declares-moratorium-endorsements-greenfield-coalpower-plants.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents