Resolution on the Development of a Clear Policy on Coal-Fired Power Plants in Pursuit of a Low Carbon Development Pathway for the Philippines

May 18, 2016

CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 001-16

RESOLUTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CLEAR POLICY ON COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS IN PURSUIT OF A LOW CARBON DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY FOR THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9729, as amended by R.A. 10174, declares that the Climate Change Commission (CCC) shall be the lead policy-making body of the government which shall be tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the program and action plans of the government relating to climate change;

WHEREAS, the Climate Change Commission, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, represents the Philippines in the Climate Change negotiations, constitutes the Philippine panel of negotiators to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and leads the formulation of the official Philippine position on the Climate Change negotiation issues;

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to cooperate with the global community in the resolution of environmental and climate change issues and to adopt the ultimate objective of the UNFCCC which is the stabilization of greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference;

WHEREAS, the Philippines in October 2015, pursuant to decision 1/CP.19 of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) towards achieving the objective of the UNFCCC as set out in its Article 2 that indicates a conditional seventy percent (70%) GHG emissions reduction by 2030 relative to its business-as-usual scenario of 2000-2030 which will come from the energy, transport, waste, forestry, and industry sectors;

WHEREAS, the Philippines, as a member of the UNFCCC, supported the adoption of the Paris Agreement at the 21st Conference of the Parties in Paris, France on December 12, 2015;

WHEREAS, the Cabinet Cluster Committee on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation has adopted a Resolution on March 17, 2016 recommending that the President of the Philippines or his representative sign the Paris Agreement in behalf of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the Philippines in 2015 also supported the adoption of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which both advocate for a balance between economic growth and environmental protection towards building a resilient future;

WHEREAS, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) and the Renewable Energy Law of 2008 support sustainable and environmentally-friendly sources of energy with the EPIRA indicating a preferential bias for environment-friendly, indigenous, and low-cost sources of energy;

WHEREAS, the Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Clean Water Act of 2004 regulate water and air emissions to ensure that economic growth is consistent with the protection, preservation, and revival of the environment;

WHEREAS, at a global level, coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of man-made Carbon Dioxide emissions, which is the primary GHG emitted through human activities, accounting for about thirty five percent (35%) of global GHG emissions.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to its mandate, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Climate Change Commission (CCC) do hereby affirm its commitment to mainstream a low carbon development pathway for the Philippines in accordance with the country's commitments under the UNFCCC and in the light of its submitted INDC;

RESOLVED, that the Climate Change Commission (CCC) shall facilitate within six (6) months of adoption of this Resolution, a national policy review and framework development on energy, through a whole-of-nation approach, in accordance with a low carbon development pathway and national goals and targets for climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development, and considering the prioritization and acceleration of renewable energy development, enhancement of energy efficiency and conservation, and ensurance of clean, affordable, and reliable energy for the entire country;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the CCC urges the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to initiate and coordinate discussions and harmonize policies and regulations on new and existing coal-fired power plants in accordance with a low carbon development pathway to be reflected in the Philippine Energy Plan;

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the CCC urges the DENR to ensure the incorporation of the measurement and mitigation of GHG emissions in the development and review process for the Environmental Impact Statements of coal-fired power plants; aDSIHc

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the CCC urges the National and Economic and Development Authority to prioritize the mainstreaming of low carbon development and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in the formulation of all national and local development plans.

May 18, 2016, Manila, Philippines.

(SGD.) H.E. BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO, IIIPresident of the Republic of the Philippines

(SGD.) EMMANUEL M. DE GUZMANSecretary and Vice Chairperson

(SGD.) FRANCES VERONICA D. VICTORIOCommissioner

(SGD.) NOEL ANTONIO V. GAERLANCommissioner