While ASEAN accounts for the third highest greenhouse gas emission in the developing world, excluding India and China, The Philippines only accounts as one of the lowest contributors in the region with Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia making up the bulk of these emissions (please see table below). The cities of Makati and Bacolod has partnered with the different agencies to launch a new and greener form of public transport - an electric jeepney, a further evolution of the classic Filipino symbol. Aside from the electric jeepneys, the country is also one of the countries harnessing geothermal energy for electricity in the Bicol Region, Hydropower in Mindanao as well having the first wind farm in Southeast Asia (photo below) in the Ilocos region (According to Greenpeace and the Global Wind Energy Council, the Philippines is poised to become the leading wind power producer in Southeast Asia with potential of up 70,000 MW of clean renewable energy from wind. The value of the global market for wind turbines is predicted to expand from the current 8 billion euros to an 80 billion euro market by 2020.).
Greenhouse Gas Emissions By Country
| Country | Year | CO2e Mt | / | Pop M | = | CO2e t/person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 1994 | 7.06 | / | 3.20 | = | 2.21 |
| Australia | 2000 | 535.30 | / | 19.44 | = | 27.54 |
| Canada | 2003 | 740.00 | / | 31.56 | = | 23.45 |
| China | 2004 | 3650.00 | / | 1198.50 | = | 3.05 |
| European Union | 1999 | 4030.00 | / | 375.30 | = | 10.74 |
| Hong Kong | 2003 | 43.5 | / | 6.803 | = | 6.39 |
| India | 2001 | 1228.54 | / | 914.00 | = | 1.34 |
| Indonesia | 1994 | 904.433 | / | 191 | = | 4.74 |
| Iran | 1994 | 417.01 | / | 57.67 | = | 7.23 |
| Israel | 1996 | 62.71 | / | 5.69 | = | 11.02 |
| Japan | 2002 | 1224.98 | / | 126.93 | = | 9.65 |
| Laos | 1990 | 0 | / | 4.57 | = | 0.00 |
| Malaysia | 1994 | 76 | / | 20.1 | = | 3.78 |
| Marshall Islands | 1990 | 0.0025 | / | 0.055 | = | 0.05 |
| Mexico | 2000 | 686.10 | / | 97.48 | = | 7.04 |
| Micronesia | 1997 | 0 | / | 0.106 | = | 0.00 |
| Mongolia | 1998 | 15.6 | / | 2.42 | = | 6.45 |
| Nauru | 1994 | 0.019 | / | 0.013 | = | 1.46 |
| Netherlands | 1999 | 174.10 | / | 15.80 | = | 11.02 |
| New Zealand | 1999 | 54.70 | / | 3.79 | = | 14.43 |
| Niue | 1994 | 0 | / | 0.002 | = | 0.00 |
| Philippines | 1994 | 100.738 | / | 73.527 | = | 1.37 |
| Russian Federation | 1999 | 1880.00 | / | 145.60 | = | 12.91 |
| Samoa | 1999 | 0.43 | / | 0.17 | = | 2.53 |
| Singapore | 1994 | 26.80 | / | 3.20 | = | 8.38 |
| Solomon Islands | 1994 | 0.32258 | / | 0.4 | = | 0.81 |
| South Africa | 1994 | 379.84 | / | 40.60 | = | 9.36 |
| Sweden | 2003 | 70.6 | / | 8.98 | = | 7.86 |
| Thailand | 1994 | 286.37 | / | 62.00 | = | 4.62 |
| United Kingdom | 2003 | 656.00 | / | 59.60 | = | 11.01 |
| US | 2003 | 6746.00 | / | 280.00 | = | 24.09 |
| Zimbabwe | 1994 | 0.00 | / | 10.64 | = | 0.00 |
from Greenpeace Southeast Asia website:
Greenpeace helps Philippine Jeepneys Go Green
July 04, 2007
Born in the 1950s, from left over world war two US jeeps, the Jeepney’s flamboyant design is instantly recognisable and synonymous for many with the Philippines. The jeeps were then refurbished to accommodate several passengers, added metal roof for shade and decorated with vibrant colours and bright ornaments making them popular and creative public transportation vehicles. While Jeepneys have evolved over the years they remain highly polluting and inefficient.
The first public transport system of its kind in Southeast Asia, E-Jeepneys are part of an innovative project led by GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer) and supported by Greenpeace (1) and the government of Makati City. The new E-Jeepney's steer clear of the use of fossil fuels bringing about an improvement in local air quality, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing fuel costs.
"Climate change needs to be tackled at all levels, by individuals, corporations and governments. The Electric Jeepneys are triple wins in one package. It's a win for the local environment, a win for the climate and a win for the economy. As is the case with many changes needed to meet the urgent challenges of reducing emissions of global greenhouse gases, to avoid catastrophic climate change, the local environmental and financial benefits are compelling. Greenpeace is proud to be part of this innovative project.” said Gerd Leipold, Greenpeace International Executive Director.
"Makati City welcomes the opportunity to be part of this initiative and is enthusiastic in pioneering it in the country. It is clear that, in addressing solid waste and air pollution issues, and in offering a much cheaper and sustainable alternative to Jeepney drivers who service the city's main routes, the project will result in clear, tangible benefits for our citizens." said Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay.
The two E-Jeepneys are part of a fleet designed in the country by Philippine renewables firm Solar Electric Company. They will undergo technical and commercial tests for 6 months in Makati City and eventually in key areas in the province of Negros Occidental. The electric fleet will initially be increased to 50 units upon the successful conclusion of the test phase. The city will provide a facility that will generate power to recharge the E-Jeepney's batteries from biodegradable wastes from the city's food establishments and wet markets into which the electric Jeepneys are meant to be plugged.
"The electric Jeepneys will show that there are climate-friendly alternatives to the current polluting modes of public transportation in the Philippines. The iconic Jeepney remains, but without wasteful and carbon emitting diesel, and will also provide increased incomes to the vehicles’ drivers," said Athena Ballesteros Ronquillo Greenpeace International Climate Campaigner, founder and chair of GRIPP. "The pilot test in Makati is meant to ensure the technical, commercial, environmental and social feasibility of the project. If the project is successful, our hope is that it will be replicated in other cities in the country and in other Asian capitals."
In support of the project, celebrities and Greenpeace supporters, together with representatives of various development agencies and financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is headquartered in Manila, attended the occasion along with officials of Makati's transport cooperatives. Leaders of the city's transport federations expressed their support for the test phase of the project.
The E-Jeepneys initiative, part of the Climate Friendly Cities project seed funded by the Dutch DOEN Foundation (2), is designed to be replicated across the Philippines and other cities in Asia. Greenpeace supports solutions-oriented technological and scientific innovations that can help stop climate change. The E-Jeepneys are a clear example of this call to the public and institutions to adopt simple yet effective measures to help avert catastrophic climate change.
The first public transport system of its kind in Southeast Asia, E-Jeepneys are part of an innovative project led by GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer) and supported by Greenpeace (1) and the government of Makati City. The new E-Jeepney's steer clear of the use of fossil fuels bringing about an improvement in local air quality, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing fuel costs.
"Climate change needs to be tackled at all levels, by individuals, corporations and governments. The Electric Jeepneys are triple wins in one package. It's a win for the local environment, a win for the climate and a win for the economy. As is the case with many changes needed to meet the urgent challenges of reducing emissions of global greenhouse gases, to avoid catastrophic climate change, the local environmental and financial benefits are compelling. Greenpeace is proud to be part of this innovative project.” said Gerd Leipold, Greenpeace International Executive Director.
"Makati City welcomes the opportunity to be part of this initiative and is enthusiastic in pioneering it in the country. It is clear that, in addressing solid waste and air pollution issues, and in offering a much cheaper and sustainable alternative to Jeepney drivers who service the city's main routes, the project will result in clear, tangible benefits for our citizens." said Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay.
The two E-Jeepneys are part of a fleet designed in the country by Philippine renewables firm Solar Electric Company. They will undergo technical and commercial tests for 6 months in Makati City and eventually in key areas in the province of Negros Occidental. The electric fleet will initially be increased to 50 units upon the successful conclusion of the test phase. The city will provide a facility that will generate power to recharge the E-Jeepney's batteries from biodegradable wastes from the city's food establishments and wet markets into which the electric Jeepneys are meant to be plugged.
"The electric Jeepneys will show that there are climate-friendly alternatives to the current polluting modes of public transportation in the Philippines. The iconic Jeepney remains, but without wasteful and carbon emitting diesel, and will also provide increased incomes to the vehicles’ drivers," said Athena Ballesteros Ronquillo Greenpeace International Climate Campaigner, founder and chair of GRIPP. "The pilot test in Makati is meant to ensure the technical, commercial, environmental and social feasibility of the project. If the project is successful, our hope is that it will be replicated in other cities in the country and in other Asian capitals."
In support of the project, celebrities and Greenpeace supporters, together with representatives of various development agencies and financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is headquartered in Manila, attended the occasion along with officials of Makati's transport cooperatives. Leaders of the city's transport federations expressed their support for the test phase of the project.
The E-Jeepneys initiative, part of the Climate Friendly Cities project seed funded by the Dutch DOEN Foundation (2), is designed to be replicated across the Philippines and other cities in Asia. Greenpeace supports solutions-oriented technological and scientific innovations that can help stop climate change. The E-Jeepneys are a clear example of this call to the public and institutions to adopt simple yet effective measures to help avert catastrophic climate change.
Notes to Editor
(1) GRIPP and Greenpeace currently have a program called ‘100% Renewable Energy Negros’ which seeks to make Negros the first province in Southeast Asia to be powered by 100% renewable energy. The collaboration between the two organisations was born out of the successful fight against a proposed 50-MW coal-fired power plant in Pulapandan.
(2) The DOEN Foundation finances initiatives that are both enterprising and sustainable through subsidies, loans, guarantees or participations in the areas of Sustainable Development, Culture and Welfare.
Contact information
- Jasper Inventor
- Lea Guerrero Telephone: +63 916 374 4969
- Athena Ronquillo, Chair, Board of Trustees, +63 917 813 1562
Reina Garcia, Coordinator, +63 917 300 1585
The Philippines' answer to the smart car? =) Great to hear Pinas is going green.
ReplyDeleteAre they still implementing the smoke detection/prevention (forgot what it's called) campaign? If they couple that with the electric jeepney, that would go a loooooong way into de-polluting the air.
Well I think much still have to be done in fully enforcing the Clean Air Act- there are still many vehicles out there that are polluting the air.. but at least we are doing something.. it's far from being enough but its a step in the right direction. ;_
ReplyDelete¡¡Caramba, Filipinas!!
ReplyDelete:D Philippines actually has been recycling alot actually, waste products in dumps are being recycled - like bottles, paperwastes etc etc. but still more has to be done..like proper waste disposal. In the office, we use both sides of the paper to maximize it. :)
ReplyDeleteI remember being instructed to use used envelopes, too. Now, that was a bit tricky since some of the envelopes used very sticky glue so our recycled envelopes looked like artwork. lol
ReplyDeleteI so see you there!!! I also turn of the monitor and the lights when we go out for lunch. :)
ReplyDeleteI read this on the news... do you watch prison break?
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting post. I love the idea of the Electric Jeepney but in my opinion we should junk the jeepney completely. It is one of the most inneficient forms of public transport. Our government should invest in an honest to goodness mass transit system.
ReplyDeleteUhm Akeem... I dont unfortunately.. what about Prison Break? (I heard that that one of the actors there is Filipino Chinese)..
ReplyDeleteYea I hear you there, but losing the jeepney altogether can affect a lot of jobs. :(
ReplyDeleteThe thing is that government should also figure out a way to give Jeepney drivers an alternative job. Or corollarily, maybe they should just wait for this current generation of jeepney drivers to fade away. Kung baga, ease them out.
ReplyDeleteGoodluck with that. :P We have trouble of creating enough jobs as it is. ;) I think one of the challenge is, how to convert the current jeepney manufacturers to switch to electric. And whatsup with the Oil Companies. They wont liike that at all. :D
ReplyDeleteGoodluck with that. :P We have trouble of creating enough jobs as it is. ;) I think one of the challenge is, how to convert the current jeepney manufacturers to switch to electric. And whatsup with the Oil Companies. They wont like that at all. :D
ReplyDelete