Over-arching strategies for Inclusive, Green Economy Approaches: The Philippine Context

Maria Diosa L. de Mesa

Senior Economic Development Specialist National Economic and Development Authority Asia Regional Dialogue on Country Experiences and Ways Forward for Green Economy Approaches Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand 27-28 September 2012

Outline

I. Transition to GE: Opportunities and Challenges II. PHL experience on formulating GE strategies and policies III. Market Mechanisms IV. Role of macro-modeling and other decision-making tools V. PHL Post-Rio activities

I. Transition to Green Economy

Opportunities: - Integration of sustainable development in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016 - Climate lens in evaluating national programs, projects and activities - Convergence initiative of national government agencies (NGAs) in implementing national programs and projects i.e. National Climate Change Action Plan - Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) - Membership to the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) - Resource valuation and environmental and natural resource accounting (ENRA)

I. Transition to Green Economy

Challenges: - Review of existing policies and plans that are biased for the prevailing brown economy - Integrated development of the infrastructure sector (water, waste, energy, and transportation) towards a low carbon development pathway - Restoration of natural capital and decoupling production from depleted natural resource base - Institutional infrastructure that ensures implementation and enforcement of relevant measures - Legal policy and institutional framework for SD requires flow of new investments and financing and technology development and localization for SD.

II. PHL Experience on GE

TRANSPORT

• Tax incentives for bus companies who would shift to CNG-fueled buses and price advantage of LPG for use in taxis.

ENERGY

• Intensify development and utilization of Renewable Energy • Introduced e-tricycles to LGUs • Fueling Sustainable Transport Program (FSTP) • Programmed to reduce carbon footprint by bringing down the number gasoline and diesel-fed transport vehicles by thirty percent (30%) by 2020

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

• Water conservation and use management • Technologies and infrastructure designs for efficient and cost-effective farm and household rain water harvesting and storage • Watershed management approach in planning and implementation • Modified Rapid Composting Program using farm wastes to improve soil physical characteristics and nutrient status

III. Market Mechanisms/ market instruments

• Polluter-pay principle • Effluent/ pollution charges • Property tax rebates • Irrigation tariffs based on present and future cost recovery IV. Macro-modeling and decision-making tools • Resource valuation and environmental and natural resource accounting • Integration of SD indicators in macro-modeling • Monitoring system for SDGs

V. PHL Post-Rio Activities

Next Steps/Indicative Activities

1. Contextualization of GE in the Philippine setting 2. Formulation of SD Goals and identification of key sectors and priority areas 3. Organizational Assessment 4. Formulation of the Philippines’ SD Action Plan 5. National and Regional Consultations

Thank you.

E-mail: [email protected]

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I. Green Economy in the Context of SD and Poverty Eradication

a means towards SD that promotes the

integration of and synergy of the 3 pillars of SD.

- highlights the

differentiated responsibilities

developed and developing countries.

between - DRR and CCA actions should be prioritized to sustain its development efforts - should ensure

food security

and promote investments to bolster the natural capital ensures environmental integrity and ecological resilience b

y enhancing and sustaining ecosystem goods and services

to push for inclusive and sustained growth

Major Concerns that needs to be addressed to ensure transition to GE:

a. Green and cleaner production technology access, technology transfer, knowledge sharing and cooperation b. Financial assistance and green investments - green finance window should be put in place to provide financial assistance, in sustaining the country’s natural capital c. Capacity Building - provide technical assistance to developing countries

Major Concerns that needs to be addressed to ensure transition to GE:

d. Trade - avoidance of trade protectionism and tying conditionalities to official development assistance e. Social dimensions of GE - including bio cultural diversity and heritage f. Green jobs and livelihood - promote green, sustainable and decent jobs that are compliant with living standards g. Peace and security – as one of the foundations of GE