An Economy Powered by Sun and Wind — It’s Almost Here | Kala Constantino | TED

The Story of Change in the Philippines

This section introduces Nass, a policy expert who has played a key role in driving the climate agenda in the Philippines. It highlights the collective effort of many individuals and groups working towards tackling climate change and transitioning to renewable power.

Nass's Role in Climate Change Action

• Nass is a dedicated policy expert who has advised government officials on the country's climate agenda.

• Nass is leading hundreds of climate leaders, mobilizing local governments and companies to shift to 100 percent renewable power.

Collective Effort for Renewable Power

• Thousands of people across the Philippines, including policymakers, scientists, young people, community leaders, and business owners, are working together to tackle climate change.

• They are breaking down barriers that hinder cheaper and cleaner renewable power sources like wind and solar.

Hope for an Economy Powered by Renewables

• The collective effort gives hope that the Philippines is moving towards an economy powered by solar and wind energy.

The Need for Change in the Philippines

This section highlights the challenges faced by the Philippines due to its dependence on imported coal and gas. It emphasizes the vulnerability of the country to climate change impacts and the need for transition towards renewables.

High Electricity Prices and Vulnerability

• The Philippines relies heavily on imported coal and gas, resulting in high electricity prices compared to other Southeast Asian countries.

• The country is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as stronger typhoons causing significant damage annually.

Economic Opportunities and Job Creation

• The energy transition presents an opportunity to make the Philippine economy more resilient.

• Scaling up wind energy alone could add $1.1 billion to the economy and create 80,000 new jobs.

Government Actions for Renewable Power

• The government has adopted a moratorium on building new coal-fired power plants three years ago.

• Several Filipino banks have stopped financing coal and are funding more renewables. The new energy plan aims for at least 35 percent renewable power by 2030.

Champions of Energy Transition in the Philippines

This section highlights individuals who have played significant roles in advocating for renewable energy and driving the country's transition towards clean power.

Ian's Advocacy for Inclusive Economy

• Ian has spent 20 years working with communities and vulnerable groups, urging the government to transition to an inclusive economy powered by renewables.

Grace's Promotion of Renewables

• Grace has spent 30 years promoting renewables with local governments and multilateral development banks. She now builds solar-powered plants in small islands in the Philippines.

Young Voices Driving Change

• Jeff analyzes and interprets power systems data to advocate for renewables as better, cleaner, and cheaper sources of energy.

• Avril, a young lawyer, proposes regulations that will accelerate the deployment of renewables.

Moving Forward Towards Renewable Power

This section emphasizes the progress made in transitioning to renewable power but acknowledges that there is still work to be done. It highlights the need for increased investments, regulatory changes, and a just transition for workers and affected communities.

Progress and Remaining Challenges

• The energy transition in the Philippines is gaining momentum, but coal plants still provide 47 percent of electricity, and there are plans to build new gas terminals.

• Transitioning away from fossil fuels quickly is necessary.

Key Steps for Moving Forward

• Continued collaboration is needed to increase investments in wind and solar power, including offshore wind.

• Regulations hindering the growth of renewable energy need to be redrafted.

• Building a modernized and distributed electricity grid capable of accommodating more renewable energy is essential.

• Ensuring a just and fair transition for workers and affected communities is crucial.

Conclusion

The transcript discusses the story of change in the Philippines towards renewable power. It highlights the collective effort of individuals like Nass, policymakers, scientists, young people, community leaders, and business owners working towards tackling climate change. The need for change is emphasized due to high electricity prices, vulnerability to climate change impacts, and the potential economic opportunities offered by renewables. The government has taken steps such as adopting a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants and increasing its ambition for renewable power generation. Champions of energy transition like Ian, Grace, Jeff, Avril are driving change in their respective roles. While progress has been made in transitioning to renewables, challenges remain such as reducing reliance on fossil fuels and ensuring a just transition for all stakeholders involved.

Timestamp links have been provided throughout the summary to facilitate easy navigation through the transcript when studying it further or referring back to specific sections during review or discussion sessions.