Hold on to our breath

With experts predicting a continuing rise in global temperatures in the years and decades to come, a study showed the poorest and most vulnerable communities will be disproportionately affected and their health burdens would further increase. The most recent study commissioned by Greenpeace in 2015 and conducted by Harvard University to determine the health and environmental impacts of emissions from coal-fired power plants in selected Asian countries reported the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.

Perhaps, the four-month old administration of President Rodrigo Duterte may not be aware yet of the existence of this study.

In that study, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicted that by 2030, climate change will be causing an additional 250,000 deaths each year from malaria, diarrheal disease, coastal flooding, heat exposure and undernutrition. “Considering the Philippines’ rising population, poor health outcomes, and the scarcity of resources needed to adapt to the worst effects of climate change, the country should end its heavy dependence on coal as an energy source and accelerate initiatives involving renewable energy (RE) resources to meet its energy demands,” the report stated.

A more disturbing part of the report, however, is the finding that the Philippines is using lower standards in the implementation of environmental laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, as well as the national guidelines being used by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

A very worrisome verdict about the kinds of environmental laws we have, which the report described as insufficient in terms of mitigating coal use. “In fact, these laws sanction the emission or discharge of effluents and pollutants and the generation of hazardous waste, subject only to compliance with applicable regulatory standards,” it says.

With the very complicated mix of dysfunctional laws, limited resources, public indifference and lack of understanding about the seriousness of the Philippine dependence on coal energy, can we really do anything?

Fortunately, the Greenpeace-Harvard study has come up with simple and practical policy recommendations that need only political will and the nerves to stand up to big coal.

For one, it cited the Department of Health (DOH) should be the national focal point in forging public health arguments for climate mitigation and acceleration of RE initiatives, in accordance with the “Health in All Policies” approach promoted by the WHO.

In 2012, the study cited, the DOH adopted the National Policy on Climate Change Adaptation for the Health Sector through DOH Administrative Order No. 05-12 (DAO 05-12). This will supposedly expand the role of DOH in addressing climate change to include using the evidence on public health co-benefits to influence other sectors to adopt climate mitigation strategies.

It likewise calls for a review and revision of current emission standards which currently allow new power plants to emit more pollutants that are detrimental to public health to make Philippine standards at par with the guidelines set by WHO.

The report also calls for an investigation and full accounting of the health impacts of coal at the national and local levels to include both the experiences of communities hosting coal-fired power plants and the national impacts of long-range pollution. More importantly, it cites the need to respond to communities impacted by coal.

“Patients suffering from diseases associated with exposure to coal plant emissions should be provided immediate medical assistance, as well as other forms of support to protect them from further health damage. Coal companies should be held accountable and required to cover the costs of hospitalization and other forms of medical help, in addition to health coverage already provided by PhilHealth,” it pointed out.

How do we offset the power that will be lost if the country shuns coal?

The report says the Philippines should increase its target to use renewable energy to at least 50% by 2020, which unfortunately is in direct contrast to current national trends.

If it is any indication, however, the recent announcement of the Department of Energy (DOE) that the country is looking at a 70% dependence on coal for electricity generation from 2030-2050, the study noted with concern, this points to a different direction.

“This alarming outlook overlooks the fact that as early as 2011 the DOE had already indicated in the Philippine Energy Plan 2012-2030 that in terms of primary energy supply, RE already provides of up to 40.7% and 53% for the fuel input mix for power generation, with about 28.4% for the over-all power generation mix.

“The same document states that as part of its Energy Reform Agenda, the DOE will triple the RE capacity by 2030 as part of its efforts to ensure energy security. “However, this strategy seems to be the least favored option by the former Aquino government as actual power generation from RE fell starting in 2012 while coal is now on track to have the lion’s share of the country’s energy mix,” it notes.

In fact, 19 new coal plant contracts were inked a few months before Aquino exited from power.

Finally, the report underlines the need to review policies in all relevant sectors – for the DENR to enhance regulation of pollution most particularly policies that impact energy policy decisions; for the DOE to recommend relevant amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and other electricity-related laws to veer away from technology-neutral “least cost” approaches and instead consider the inclusion of external costs of energy such as health costs; and, for the DOH to play a more aggressive role in assessing health impacts of energy, both occurring and projected.

The question now remains: Does the administration of President Duterte have the political will to quit the nation’s coal dependence? He was initially hesitant but has changed his mind to sign the new Paris Agreement on climate change after it has recently taken effect worldwide.

Will President Duterte stand up against the interests of big coal companies, a number of which supported him during the May 9 presidential elections? We all better hold our breath.