The Philippines is among more than 40 countries that have signed a pledge to end the use of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, by 2030 as part of their broader commitments to curb the single biggest source of planet-warming emissions worldwide.
The pact was signed Thursday at the 26th session of the Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, which is seen as the “best and last moment” to shore up international commitment to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep the planet from warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius.
In signing the accord, the countries acknowledged that coal “is the single biggest cause of global temperature increases, and the reason why they must accelerate an energy transition to meet their shared goals under the 2015 Paris Agreement.”
However, while the summit heralded the pledge as a signal for the “end of coal,” several nations that are also the biggest coal emitters were also noticeably absent from the pledge, including the United States, China, India and Australia. This has led environmental and climate activists to call the coal use pledge “spectacularly short of what the moment requires.”
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi signed on behalf of the Philippines, while only five subnationals, including Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo signed.
Among others, the four-clause pact seeks to rapidly scale up clean energy; scale up technologies and policies for energy transition; cease the issuance of permits and construction of new coal-fired power plants; and strengthen domestic and international efforts to provide a just transition from coal power.
While COP26 could’ve and should’ve committed more, this commitment to end the use of coal and accelerate energy transition is already significant for a country such as the Philippines that while it does not generate as much emissions as bigger countries, has also been content with passing the blame instead of acting with urgency. With the guidance and support of determined and resolute leaders, this is a commitment that we should be able to uphold and benefit from.
Hopefully our country that is among the most vulnerable to the destructive effects of global warming and climate change can finally do commit to do more for the planet and future generations of Filipinos who will have to face the consequences of our commitments and actions today.*
