The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) vowed to minimize the adverse impacts of decarbonization on vulnerable sectors as the Philippines implements its climate response program and promotes sustainable development.
The Philippines recently kicked off the development of the Just Transition Program prioritizing the energy and transport sectors, which account for 56 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The country joined the rest of the world in ensuring that the shift to a net-zero economy is fair and inclusive for all,
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, who is also the official representative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the Climate Change Commission (CCC) stressed the importance of reskilling and upskilling the workforce in the energy and transport sectors, both heavily reliant on the use of conventional energy.
“The transition should focus not only on minimizing the negative impacts on affected sectors but also on equipping our workforce with the necessary skills for emerging opportunities in fields such as renewable and climate-friendly technologies,” she said.
Loyzaga cited the need to consider the potential for new industries that can emerge from the transition and provide support to conventional industries.
Government agencies, including the DENR, Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), have been identified as spearheading the development of the Just Transition Program.
With support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the agencies will also lead consultations across sectors and regions in the coming months.
The consultations will inform the development of a National Just Transition Framework and Roadmap which will guide the Philippines in its shift to a low-carbon, sustainable and resilient economy. DENR News
