Greenpeace renewed its call for the urgent passage of the Renewable Energy (RE) bill by the Philippine government, on the occasion of the opening of the UN climate meeting in Bali.
"The Renewable Energy Bill has been languishing in Congress for more than a decade. It must be passed now. Congress must ensure that the country has a strong RE Bill in place that can make a big difference in
catalyzing a shift away from our dependency on fossil fuels paving the path for the massive uptake of renewable energy. Also, by passing the RE Bill, the country will take the lead in the region in making voluntary
cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, a step that countries like the United States have not taken," said Greenpeace Southeast Asia Climate and Energy Campaigner Jasper Inventor.
"Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has repeatedly stated that the Philippines is committed to climate change solutions. But so far it’s all empty rhetoric and no action–the RE Bill is still pending in
the Energy Committees in both the Upper and Lower House, under Senator Miriam Santiago and Rep. Mikee Arroyo, respectively."
The call came as dozens of Greenpeace activists unveiled a giant thermometer outside the conference venue in Bali to warn delegates to avoid rising global temperatures from reaching dangerous levels. The 6.7m high thermometer’s message: "Don’t cook the climate!" The thermometer will remain in the venue for the next two weeks.
"For years, governments have let us, their citizens, down by failing to get to grips with the problem of climate change. They’ve left us increasingly exposed to the biggest threat that civilization has ever faced" said Stephanie Tunmore of Greenpeace International. "In Bali, governments have to get down to business—and act on the basis of the alarming scientific findings about climate change that they themselves approved just two weeks ago (1). That means keeping the planet’s temperature as far below 2ºC as possible. Millions, especially the world’s poorest people, are already suffering from climate impacts such as storms and floods."
In order to keep temperatures at safe levels, global emissions must peak by 2015 and then start falling. In real terms, this means industrialized countries must commit to cut emissions by at least 30 percent by 2020
and at least 80 percent by 2050. Globally, emissions must be halved by 2050. This must happen under the Kyoto Protocol’s second phase, which comes into force in 2012.
Greenpeace wants governments at this meeting to set a two-year deadline to agree the action plan we need for the very survival of the planet. This must be an action plan that drastically cuts emissions from fossil
fuels and ends deforestation, a massive contributor to CO2 emissions. This is not negotiable.
In Bali, Governments must agree the key elements of this action plan and create a detailed agenda to ensure that negotiations are concluded by 2009.
Developed countries, responsible for over 80 percent of all the man-made emissions currently in the atmosphere must find ways to help the developing world deal with the impacts of climate change and to obtain
RE technologies.
"While the major responsibility rests on the industrialized countries to cut back on their greenhouse gas emissions now, it is equally important that developing countries like the Philippines avoid the mistakes made
by the west," said Inventor. "The industrialized world must help wean developing countries away from fossil fuels and ensure the availability of financial and technological assistance especially in the areas of
renewable energy development and energy efficiency."
The 2009 agreement must also see funding for adaptation, a mechanism for the transfer of clean technology and a separate mechanism on tropical deforestation, which contributes about one fifth of global emissions.
Greenpeace believes it is possible to keep the worst impacts of climate change–such as extreme weather events, water crises and increased hunger–from putting millions of people at risk. This will take a
revolution in the way we use and produce energy, and a strong commitment to stop deforestation worldwide.
"Even without Kyoto commitments, the Philippines must lay down a strong foundation for a sustainable energy future hinged on no regrets mitigation options like energy efficiency and renewable energy. The passage of the RE Bill is a first step," Inventor added.
