QUEZON CITY, Philippines (04 April 2022) – The presidential debate held by Comelec on Sunday finally addressed some aspects of the climate issue. In particular, candidates Leni Robredo, Leody de Guzman, and Ernesto Abella were asked on how they will promote renewable energy. Isko Moreno was not asked the question, but also answered via rebuttal.

The candidates shed light on the urgent goal to reduce carbon emissions by 2030, the lack of coherent plans to address the climate crisis and shift to RE, as well as the issue of continued fossil fuel reliance.

Reacting to this, Greenpeace campaigner Khevin Yu said:

“While we are grateful that Comelec and the candidates put the spotlight on climate issues, some of the answers last night showed us that our future leaders still have misconceptions on what a genuine renewable energy transition looks like.

There were red flags raised, namely: the use of fossil gas as a band-aid solution while we shift to solar and wind, and an endorsement of nuclear as an alternative energy source. We have time and again argued that nuclear energy is dirty and destructive,[1] but fossil gas also poses dangers to the environment and the health of Filipinos. Fossil gas might produce less carbon than coal, but it emits another greenhouse gas – methane, which is up to 105 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year time horizon.[2]

Nuclear energy and fossil gas are major distractions in our shift to renewable energy, which is all the more urgent now that climate change is at a worse rate than anticipated. Tapping our 808 gigawatts worth[3] of RE in the country is our only way to meeting our goal of reducing 75 percent of our carbon emissions by 2030, and providing a truly clean and healthy alternative to fossil fuels.

Now that the gates of electoral discourse have opened up to environmental issues and renewable energy, it is our future leaders’ responsibility to study and make informed decisions in addressing the climate crisis. If they truly love their country and fellow Filipinos, now is not the time to take dangerous detours – we have to head straight towards climate justice.”

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Notes to editors:

[1] Greenpeace: Nuclear to worsen power, price woes
[2] Natural Gas & Climate Change: A Bridge to Nowhere | Greenpeace
[3] Ready for Renewables: Grid planning and competitive renewable energy zones

Media Contact:

Katrina Eusebio
Digital Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Philippines
[email protected] | +639992296451

Maverick Flores 
Communications Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia – Philippines
[email protected] | +639176211552