Asian Institute of Management - Policy Center

Slashdot's Menu

Recent Events APC launches World Competitiveness Yearbook 2010 EPS 8: Performance Based Regulation in the Power Sector(09/17/09) EPS 7: Continuing Regulatory Education for Stakeholders: ERC-Media Dialogue(08/26/09) State of Philippine Competitiveness(07/13/09) MSMEs Financing in Asia-Pacific Region: Crisis and Countermeasures (06/8-9/09) Mobilizing Unified Strategies for Trade Negotiations and the Need for a Philippine Trade Representative Office (06/01/09) WCY 2009 Results:A Look at Philippine Performance Amidst the Global Crisis -Press Conference (05/20/09) Social Market Economy: A Viable Development Option for the Philippines? (05/19/09) AIM-DOE MOU signing (05/13/09) Recent Developments in International Investments Law (05/07/09) Launch of the 2008 Global Accountability Report (02/12/09) Lecture-Forum on Peace, Conflict Transformation and the Global Financial Crisis(02/06/09) SWS 2008 Surveys Review (01/13/09)

Upcoming Events

Featured Publications Borders, Boundaries and Bridges: The Faces of Migration in the Big Cities

Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2007

In Pursuit of the Philippine Competitive Edge
An Oral History of a Continuing Journey by 50 Wisdom-Keepers

other publications

Programs City Competitiveness Program S&T, Infrastructure and Connectivity Program

The AIM Policy Center 10th Anniversary Video

Event Details

Date: 29-30 May 2008
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN
Venue: AIM Conference Center Manila

Summary

Clean Development Mechanism and the Energy Sector

Energy-related technologies are the major sources of Global Greenhouse Gases (approximately 54% of total GHGs) and are thus the largest contributors to climate change. On the other side of the equation, just as energy poses the greatest threat to the climate, it, too, provides us with the greatest opportunities in improving the state of the climate.

On 29 May 2008, representatives from local government units (Baguio, Dagupan, San Fernando Pampanga, Antipolo, Tagaytay, Quezon City, Navotas, Malabon, Bacolod, Iloilo, Bais, Silay), government agencies, the senate and the house of representatives, participated in a whole day event discussing issues on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and its relation to energy at a gathering organized by the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center (APC), along with its institutional partner the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

The Manila Observatory (MO) presented to the group a review of the science of climate change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). After which, the MO discussed how the carbon market works and what its current status is. Equipped with a better understanding of the CDM, the group successfully simulated international emissions trading through MOs carbon trading game.

To further enrich the discussion, Pangea Green Energy Philippines, the organization that designed, maintains and operates the Biogas Emission Reduction Project (i.e. through the conversion of waste to energy) in Payatas, Quezon City, shared their experience in planning for and undergoing the process of registering a CDM project. To date, this joint project of the local government of QC and Pangeais expected to produce the most number of CERs (certified emission reductions) or carbon credits among the 17 registered CDM projects in the Philippines. Based on the questions and comments raised by the group in response to the presentation, it was evident that many LGUs were inspired to look into tapping the potential waste and energy projects in their localities, not only to increase their revenues but, most especially, to also push the boundaries in fulfilling their public duties to their constituents. Representatives from the government agencies and legislative bodies were supportive with the LGUs perspectives as well.

On May 30, APC invited CDM experts/specialists and some private sector representatives to join the public sector group in a half-day discussion on exploring opportunities for CDM in the country through the experiences of Mr. Larry Asera. Mr. Asera was conferred the Pamana ng Pilipino award by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in recognition of his accomplishment as the founder of an international energy and environmental technology company specializing in the development of renewable energy resources to promote sustainable communities, among other achievements. Indeed, Mr. Aseras presentation on renewable energy (RE) and his RE projects in Palawan, Aurora, Albay, and Panay Island further ignited the desire of LGUs to adopt clean technologies through renewable energy sources. As Ms. Marina Mallare, Program Coordinator of klima (Manila Observatory) clearly expressed, Mr. Aseras presentation has allowed the audience to re-assess their perceptions on renewable energy technology. Shifting from conventional and dirty technology to clean technology can be viable and feasible through private-public partnerships and the private sectors commitment to their SRIs or Social Responsibility Investments. In response, alluding to the literary classic Dantes Inferno, Professor Bagadion of the AIM center for Development Management pronounced, "The portals of the future have opened".

To culminate the event, the participants forwarded to APC some excellent policy recommendations on CDM which the APC commits to carefully studying. They have committed as well to preserve their ties and to actualize their plans promoting clean technologies and supporting CDM.