Global economies are faced with the worsening impacts of climate change.  Countries all over the world, including developing ones like the Philippines, are searching for a balanced solution that sustains robust economic growth while maintaining resource efficiency and economic resilience while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Despite implementing initiatives to respond to the impacts of climate change as articulated in the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change, National Climate Change Action Plan, and the National Renewable Energy Program, among others, the Philippines remains on a growth path that continues to emit GHGs at an increasing rate.  This predicament is intensified by constraints that plague the country’s energy sector such as persistent policy, technical, and financial barriers to clean energy development and the sustained increase of petroleum consumption in the transport sector.

USAID’s Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability (B-LEADERS) Project aims to contribute to increasing climate change resilience and mitigation in the Philippines. B-LEADERS will also complement the ultimate goal of transformative economic growth with a primary focus on sustainable management of resources and reduction of emissions.

ACTIVITIES

Strengthening Capacity on Low Emission Development
USAID’s B-LEADERS will provide technical assistance to institutionalize the GHG Inventory and to improve its data collection, transparency, consistency, accessibility, comparability and comprehensiveness.  These are needed to develop a credible national GHG inventory.  The project intends to lay down the foundation for a data management system that simulates and analyzes evidence-based climate change and economic scenarios using state of the art LEDS toolkits and models.  B-LEADERS aims to translate national policies and strategies into concrete and sustained activities at local government levels.  With the multi-sectoral nature of climate change work, B-LEADERS gives high priority to community outreach and country-wide dissemination of vital information.

Increased Investments into Clean Energy Projects
B-LEADERS aims to advance the growth of investments in the clean energy sector.  It will sustain USAID’s mentoring program, which enables project developers and investors to package and finance viable clean energy projects.  B-LEADERS provides a platform that allows healthy interaction between renewable energy developers, financial institutions, and the communities that will benefit from these investments.  It aims to minimize barriers to entry in the clean energy sector by streamlining business processes to help reduce transaction costs and delays.

GOAL

To enhance the capacity of the Government of the Philippines and its key partners to plan, design and implement low emission development strategies (LEDS) contributing to the formulation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in the power, transport, and land use sectors.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• At least 360,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced, sequestered and/or avoided as a result of USG assistance
• At least 20 laws, policies, strategies, plans, or regulations addressing climate change mitigation officially proposed, adopted or implemented as a result of USG assistance
• At least 50 institutions with improved capacity to address climate change issues as a result of USG assistance
• At least 200 megawatts of operational renewable electric generation capacity and energy saved due to energy efficiency projects corresponding to at least US$ 200 million in clean energy investments

OBJECTIVES

• Improve institutional capacity on National Greenhouse Gas Inventory
• Develop analytical tools for decision-making on climate-resilient, low emission policies, plans, and projects
• Promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable landscape strategies