PMCJ Statement: “World’s Largest Solar Project” Needs Just Transition to Clean Energy and Fossil Fuel Phaseout to Address the Climate Crisis

We need to move towards clean, renewable, and affordable energy.  In doing this we should not only think about fast-tracking building renewable energy but also ensure that while we do that we remain considerate of its effects on nature, and agriculture.  Let us remember that the climate crisis is only one problem, and if we sacrifice nature for it then we will create another problem.

Integration of nature and renewable energy projects should always be at the forefront of all projects.  It is also important that there is a strong commitment to removing the Philippines' strong dependence on fossil fuels and committing to carbon-neutral power generation as soon as possible.

I strongly support the statement of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ).

- DAVID D'ANGELO
#20 Boses Ng Kalikasan sa SENADO
facebook.com/dangelo4senator

PMCJ Press Release: PMCJ on MTerra Solar Project

“World’s Largest Solar Project” Needs Just Transition to Clean Energy and Fossil Fuel Phaseout to Address the Climate Crisis

In addressing the climate crisis, every move is crucial. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) recently led the groundbreaking of the Meralco Terra (MTerra) Solar Project and claimed that it is the largest integrated solar and battery storage facility in the world; while ironically supporting the fossil gas industry, among others.

While we welcome the positive developments on the "world's largest solar farm” being built in the Philippines, this move is just a piecemeal approach to transitioning to 100% Renewable Energy (RE). Meralco’s broader contribution to carbon emissions cannot be offset by a single solar project. Without a clear policy for planned and managed phaseout of fossil fuels, the switch to renewable energy will just continue to augment parts of energy sources rather than replace fossil fuels. 

The greater challenge for just transition to clean energy lies in addressing the policy gaps and the overall prioritization of the Philippine government to pool investments and resources towards tripling RE. The transition fuel justification in green lighting fossil gas projects takes away the necessary financing for renewable energy development in terms of improving the grid infrastructure, subsidizing RE expansion for energy equity and access, addressing delayed renewable portfolio standards, and a total exit from fossil fuels.

The existing coal projects in the Philippine pre-moratorium as of June 2020 is 10,417 MW, and post-moratorium as of July 2024 is 12,556 MW. It is alarming that the Philippine coal imports have been growing 7.6% percent, with market forecasts indicating continued growth.  Disturbingly, the Philippines’ dependence on coal has been growing, exceeding Poland and China in terms of percent of the energy mix. The data also shows that the Philippines is the most reliant on coal in Southeast Asia.

We call for PBBM to veto Senate Bill No. 2793, commonly known as Gas Bill, which was recently passed the third reading, and adopted by the Congress. It aims to sustain financing for fossil gas projects to transition to renewable energy, which we have been proving to be a complete mismatch of the government's priority and waste of resources that yield no results in pursuit of clean, affordable and equitable energy. It makes no business and economic sense to carve out financial arrangements for fossil gas, when this locks the country for another season of fossil-fuel dependency while all the resources should now go to RE.

Adding up the recently held 4th Philippine Natural Gas Investment Summit where PBBM supported the false narrative in his message, we dare to say that the MTerra solar project is just a facade for the government and big fossil fuel companies to continue its operations that further ruin the planet. 

We have been outlining a paradigm for just transition built on: (1) consistent formal and institutional support from the government; (2) short-term and long-term financial support thought funding mechanisms centered around the collection of ecological debt from the Global North and large corporations such as fossil developers and mining companies, (3) social protection for workers in transitioning industries and toiling masses in economic transition, and (4) energy democracy through renewable energy development and community engagement. 

If PBBM is truly for "strengthening our resolve to find and facilitate solutions that will save our planet and the future of [humankind]", we challenge him to address the policy gaps in ramping up renewable energy in the Philippines by enforcing a policy for just transition that democratizes energy access and end fossil fuel dependence through clear exit plan of the Philippines out of coal and gas. 

All the cards of solution to the climate crisis have been laid out for the government to use and implement. All PBBM needs to do is to heed the calls and scientific solutions outlined by the very people who are experiencing the worst of the climate crisis. 

#EndFossilFuels #JustTransition #ClimateJusticeNow

Check out PMCJ's FB post here.

FOR INQUIRIES 

Ellenor Bartolome
Senior Executive Officer for Policy, Campaigns, & Communications
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
mediacommunications@climatejustice.ph