Philippines: A Valuable Partner on Climate Change and the

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000647 SIPDIS EAP FOR AWYCKOFF STATE FOR OES CDAWSON, EKANE BANGKOK FOR REO HHOWARD AND RDMA WBOWMAN JACARTA FOR USAID ANAKATSUMA USAID EGAT FOR JHESTER, WBREED; ANE for JWILSON, MMELNYK; MTS/MLS COMMERCE PASS NOAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV EAID SENV TPHY TRGY TSPL RP SUBJECT: Philippines: A Valuable Partner on Climate Change and the Environment Ref: A) 2007 Manila 531 B) 2008 Manila 2731 C) Manila 00248 ¶1. Summary: The Philippine government has demonstrated its commitment to climate change mitigation and adaptation through legislation, appointment of a presidential task force, ambitious emission reduction targets, active participation on the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, and robust support for the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation and Coral Triangle Initiative. Embassy Manila is engaged in all of these efforts and USAID and the Philippine President recently signed a bilateral agreement for millions of dollars of assistance to address environmental concerns. We believe even more active U.S. engagement with the Philippines on environmental issues can help make this country become an even more valuable ally on these crucial issues. End summary. Philippines' Track Record for Environmental Action -------------- -------------- ¶2. The natural environment of the Philippines is seriously threatened by pollution, over-exploitation, and habitat destruction. The Philippine government is increasingly aware of the extent and impact of environmental degradation and has taken steps to respond to these threats both by themselves and in partnership with the U.S. government. The Philippine Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates increased biofuel blends over the next 10 years to increase energy security and reduce emissions (Ref. A). The Renewable Energy Act of 2008 provides incentives to new investors in clean energy, as a move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Ref. B). ¶3. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has demonstrated that the environment is a key priority by creating and chairing the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change, which meets every Friday. In September 2008 she created a Cabinet-level position, Advisor on Climate Change, to which she appointed former Senator and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson T. Alvarez. The President signed an order in 2007 to replace inefficient lighting in government buildings within a year to save on costs and energy. In January of 2008, she spearheaded an energy summit, and �00A;one outcome was a commitment to replace one million incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps in the private sector, with an estimated $90 million per annum in energy savings. Her administration recently announced an emission reduction target of 80% by 2050. ¶4. The Philippines was an original signatory to the expiring Kyoto Protocol, but now is focused on the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Three Filipino scientists serve on various UNFCCC technical committees. The Philippines could be an important bilateral partner for the United States during the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen later this year. U.S.-Philippine Cooperation for a Healthy Environment -------------- -------------- ¶6. In many of its most important environmental and climate change priorities, the Philippines has counted on the USG for assistance. For example, USAID was involved in the drafting and promotion of both the biofuels and the renewable energy legislation. When Filipino interlocutors expressed concern about methane emissions, the Embassy was able to obtain a science fellow from the U.S. Department of Agriculture who spent two months advising them on methane collection from pig farms. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has sent an agricultural expert quarterly for consultations with Philippine government and private industry since the Philippines signed the Methane to Market Agreement in January ¶2008. The USGS has sent a scientist to advise the Philippine government and private coal mines in coalbed methane recovery. Five more Science Fellows have partnered with government and private institutions on subjects like technology transfer legislation and reforestation. ¶7. The Governments of the United States and the Philippines established the Philippine Tropical Forest Foundation in 2002 under the U.S. Tropical Forest Conservation Act. Two bilateral agreements allow the Philippines to divert $8.25 million in interest payments on debt owed to the U.S. for forest conservation. The Philippine government has been enthusiastic about the accomplishments of this MANILA 00000647 002 OF 002 Foundation, which has given 87 grants to conserve, maintain, or restore Philippine tropical forests. ¶8. The Philippines hosted the second Coral Triangle Initiative Senior Officials Meeting in October 2008 and Filipinos have been running full throttle since on this exciting regional initiative to protect "the epicenter of world marine biodiversity." The U.S. government is supporting the Initiative with over $40 million while the Philippine government and civil society have been diligently working with the U.S. government and the lead non-governmental organization, World Wildlife Fund-Philippines, to present the country's action plan and participate in the region's plan at the Coral Triangle Initiative summit set for May 15, 2009 in Manado, Indonesia (Ref. C). ¶8. Embassy Manila supports biodiversity conservation and education, effective law enforcement, and sustainable environmental management in the Philippines. USAID has a long history of development assistance in both environment and energy issues in the Philippines, with a recent emphasis on biodiversity conservation, clean energy, and climate change. Last year, USAID signed a $73 million bilateral agreement with the Philippines to provide assistance for biodiversity conservation, clean energy development, and water and sanitation projects over a six-year period. In 2009 the U.S. government will fund two new climate change/clean energy programs, as well as two or three new biodiversity conservation grants. These activities are currently being designed in close collaboration with Philippine government agencies, and will compliment or follow on several successful ongoing programs. KENNEY