THE Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) urged lawmakers and concerned stakeholders on Friday to support greenhouse-gas (GHG) reductions through alternative measures, such as energy efficiency and the optimized use of natural resources.
“While the FPI recognizes the seriousness of the climate-change issue, the Philippines only has a very small contribution to global GHG emissions based on recognized global inventories and official reports of the Philippine Climate Change Commission,” FPI Chairman Jesus Arranza said. The FPI official pointed out that energy efficiency is already one of the Department of Energy’s cornerstone projects and, is in fact, one of the initiatives promoted by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group.
“There should be a deeper analysis from the relevant agencies on the level of GHG reduction the Philippines is willing to commit in the forthcoming Paris convention.
The Philippines should not commit to a level of GHG reduction that will sacrifice its development objectives and be left behind by its neighboring countries,” he added.
Aranza said these alternative measures should be a priority instead of curtailing industrial activities and large investments such as the construction of power plants.
“Creating barriers for baseload fossil fuel-fired power-generating facilities, especially coal-fired power plants are heavy disincentives that will eventually affect the economy and the consumers, but will have an insignificant impact on global GHG,” he said.
To date, the country lacks reliable baseload power plants. These are power plants that can operate reliably and efficiently generating electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
He pointed out that as the country progresses, electricity demand will increase and the need for even more baseload plants will heighten. Currently, coal-fired power plants are the most feasible solution to address the country’s power needs.
“Power plants which are ready for implementation and are targeted to address the need for energy should not, in any way, be delayed,” the FPI official added.