Renewable energy institutionalization eyed

The Climate Change Commission has called on concerned agencies to institutionalize the planting of crops and use of electric vehicles and solar energy by the private sector to help ensure food security and prevent extreme weather disturbances in the country.

Climate Change commissioner Albert de la Cruz on Monday stressed that it will ensure a “whole society approach” in the country’s fight against climate change.

“If they don’t have programs for sustainability, then they should not do business at all,” De la Cruz said.

He stressed that the commission is awaiting the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for its resolution which orders companies to repurpose land for planting vegetables and fruits over ornamental plants.

“We have a climate change resolution that discourages planting of ornamental plants in private and public establishments. There should be no Bermuda grasses that absorb clean water. The land should be used for edible plants for food security,” he added.

Citing data from the United Nations, De la Cruz said the world could face food shortage by 2030 and famine by 2050.

Global data shows over 20 percent of children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition and in the first quarter this year, 2.7 million Filipinos experienced hunger, fewer than the 3 million in December last year but more than the 2.1 million pre-pandemic.

Meanwhile, the United Nations reported 132 million more people went hungry due to trade disruptions.

“Covid-19 was a wakeup call and we should do our responsibility as businesspeople because we live on one planet. And we have a very thin window of opportunity to reverse the effects of climate change,” he added.

He added all businesses must also install solar panels on their buildings and use electric vehicles for company services as the world shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

De la Cruz said the commission aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels in the country by 75 percent in the next seven years.

“If we keep using fossil fuels, the United Nations says we’ll breach the 1.5-degree Celsius increase by 2050 which will cause extreme weather disturbances each year,” he added.