Neda’s climate strat: RE lib, taxes on single-use plastics

TAXES on single-use plastics such as water bottles and the liberalization of renewable energy are among the top recommendations of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) to the next administration as part of its efforts to combat climate change. In his last Ask Neda Briefing on Monday, outgoing Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said adapting to and mitigating the impact of climate change on the economy should be at the core of the next Philippine Development Plan (PDP). Chua said their recommendations also include the enactment of an electric vehicle law as well as greater use of digital technologies to undertake climate smart infrastructure projects. “These are some of the examples where we think we can make climate change mitigation and adaptation more in line with our priorities,” Chua said. “[We also want to] make sure that all infra are planned very well and not just accepting unsolicited proposals that are totally out of the scope of our plans,” he added. For infrastructure, Chua said Neda recommends the crafting of better policies on master plans to ensure that infrastructure projects are well-planned and coordinated. “We want to have a policy on the master plan so that all our infra are well thought out and that they connect really the transport with the urban planning with the land use with the water used with the issue of population demographic and congestion,” he said.

“We want to have a policy on the master plan so that all our infra are well thought out and that they connect really the transport with the urban planning with the land use with the water used with the issue of population demographic and congestion.” — Outgoing Neda chief Karl Chua

Neda Undersecretary for Regional Development Mercedita Sombilla also said that local government units (LGUS) through Regional Development Councils (RDCS) are expected to take on a larger role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Sombilla said LGUS are always at the forefront of climate changerelated natural catastrophes and that, with the funds extended to them through the Mandanas ruling, they are in a better position to take action in their locales.

In a presentation citing the 2021 Climate Risk Index, Sombilla said the Philippines is ranked 4th most affected by impacts of climate-related extreme weather events.

Climate-related damage

THE estimated cost of damage due to climate- related hazards reached P455 billion and geophysical hazards P7 billion between 2010 and 2019.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Sombilla said 98 percent of total damage incurred by the Philippines from 2010-2019 is caused by climaterelated hazards.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Philippines, based on the 2010 Philippine Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, Sombilla said, is largely due to energy which accounts for 37 percent of emissions.

This is closely followed by agriculture which accounts for 30 percent of all GHG emissions; transportation, 17 percent; waste, 11 percent; and industry, 6 percent. By 2030, the country aims to reduce or avoid 75 percent of GHG emissions.

In terms of climate smart infrastructure, Neda Officer in Charge Undersecretary Roderick M. Planta said urbanization is an important consideration.

Major trends shaping urbanization in the Asean include city congestion, increasing emissions, and the volume of waste as well as higher urban populations since an additional 70 million more people are expected to live in Asean cities by 2025.

Planta also said urbanization is affected by the vulnerability of countries to natural disasters, climate change, and threats to security.

The prevalence of poverty and informal employment, he said, is another trend shaping urbanization in the region.

“Smart and sustainable infrastructure is not a goal itself, but a strategic approach and pathway to achieving our goal of laying down the foundation for inclusive growth, high-trust and resilient society, and globally-competitive knowledge economy,” Planta said in a presentation.

Further, Planta said promoting sustainable urban infrastructure is guided through the Neda Project Development and Other Related Studies (PDRS) Fund. At least 13 sector-wide master plans in urban areas nationwide were funded and completed.

These master plans, Planta said, will guide the preparation and implementation of programs and projects for sustainable infrastructure development.

Utilizing tools such as Urban Carrying Capacity can also be used as guide for planning and implementing sustainable urban development.

Planta said urban carrying capacity considers the level of human activities, population growth, land use and physical development, which can be sustained by the urban environment without causing serious degradation and irreversible damage.