Vigilance at all times
Global climate inaction, according to scientists, would lead to a 3.2-degree world and would result in more frequent and more intense climate impacts, such as sea-level rise, drought, water scarcity, and food insecurity.
Could the Marcos administration then streamline and fortify the country’s climate change adaptation and mitigation policies and disaster risk reduction and management efforts? Will his leadership elevate the Philippines’ position as a formidable champion of climate-vulnerable countries in this critical decade for climate and environmental action?
Lastly, the presumptive president’s success or failure in leading the country’s transition to a renewable energy system will determine whether or not the Filipino people will finally enjoy cleaner air, healthier communities, and access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity.
During the campaign, Marcos vowed to explore and accelerate renewable energy sources. All good, but his plans to incorporate nuclear power into the country’s energy mix and to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant raises concerns.
His thinking is clear: Nuclear energy will lower electricity rates in the Philippines. But given the huge cost of sustaining and building nuclear power plants in the country, it is not a cheaper alternative to fossil fuels and definitely not a viable solution to the country’s energy security issues.
Electricity rates are already high in the country due to imported fossil fuels whose prices are driven by the volatile global market. The same goes with nuclear energy as we would have to rely on imported uranium as nuclear fuel. Moreover, we have to consider the unfathomable and dangerous risks posed by nuclear power plants to our communities, especially during times of disastrous and calamitous events. Then there’s the question of where will we store and dispose of the nuclear waste.
Funds to invest in nuclear power should rather be used in harnessing the country’s abundant renewable energy sources, specifically solar and wind energy, which are proven to be more economical to build.
Furthermore, a landmark report released just last week by the Philippine Commission on Human Rights stated that the world’s carbon majors (aka largest fossil fuel producers) engaged in willful obfuscation of climate science. Its specific recommendations to the Philippine government include implementing a coal moratorium and spearheading the transition to a renewable energy system.
“Let’s follow the science and not make it an emotional or political issue,” Marcos said about nuclear energy and his plans to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. But will he uphold the findings of this report and prioritize the development of renewable energy? Will he listen to science and economists and steer the country away from nuclear energy?
The answers to these questions shall be the barometer by which the Marcos administration will be measured in terms of climate and environmental governance.
In line with this, The Climate Reality Project Philippines vows to remain vigilant as it navigates a new era of Philippine democracy.
The current political climate will make our work on elevating climate discourse and pushing for climate solutions twice as hard. Challenging times are ahead. Nevertheless, we are ready to demand greater accountability and transparency from the government.
We will remain steadfast on our call for the next administration to prioritize the development of a comprehensive roadmap for implementing the country’s first nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement—a plan that should spell out detailed plans and timetables, as well as financing for the transition to a low-carbon economy.
To address the country’s medium and long-term adaptation needs, we will also continue to push for the National Adapta
'The presumptive president’s success or failure in leading the country’s transition to a renewable energy system will determine whether or not the Filipino people will finally enjoy cleaner air, healthier communities, and access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity.'
tion Plan (NAP) process spearheaded by the Climate Change Commission (CCC). This involves ensuring the completion of the updating process for the existing National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).
Moreover, our fight to eliminate singleuse plastics in our communities and to democratize our streets by creating an enabling environment for renewable and active modes of mobility shall continue with or without support from the government.
Moving forward, we will intensify its contributions to growing efforts to fight fake news online. We intend to collaborate with the media, the academe, and other NGOs to ramp up efforts against disinformation perpetrated online.
We will also strive to find a safe space and path to continuously support the initiatives of more than 1,800 Climate Reality Leaders in the country.
The strength of our organization lies in the unwavering passion and sense of volunteerism of our community of Climate Reality Leaders. The same spirit will sustain our advocacy in the coming years.