BACKGROUND
A just transition to renewable energy is seen to lower electricity costs in the Philippines, promote cleaner air and healthier communities, and prevent further rise to global warming and climate change. While the development of renewable energy is regaining ground in the Philippines and across the globe, there needs to be more people championing this on the ground.
REalTalk undertakes this endeavor of mobilizing more advocates who will shape the discourse and solicit support on just renewable energy transition. The training program aims to raise energy literacy and capacitate Climate Reality Leaders and advocates to communicate the benefits and opportunities of renewable energy.
Specifically, REalTalk targets the following objectives:
To capacitate Climate Reality Leaders and advocates with awareness and knowledge of the Philippine energy system, renewable energy, and GEOP.
To produce campaigners equipped with skills to convey the gains and opportunities of renewables to businesses.
To engage and influence eligible entities to consider participating in GEOP.
The workshop runs through a hybrid set-up combining a series of virtual and in-person regional trainings. Seasoned energy advocates deliver talks on the Philippine energy landscape, renewable energy, and Green Energy Option Program — building the narrative on just renewable energy transition linked with climate mitigation and adaptation — virtually, with participants from all over the country.
The in-person regional training offers limited slots for participants from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who will undergo capacity building on campaigning and leadership centered on advancing the Green Energy Option Program implementation.
VIRTUAL TRAININGS
The Climate Reality Project Philippines has been hosting REalTalk virtual sessions since 2022.
Through this workshop, we are advocating for greater support and participation in renewable energy projects and programs from the business community and strengthened commitments from the national government on climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction initiatives.
REalTalk launched its first-ever virtual installment in June 2022 with more than 80 advocates attending the workshop.
Topics on the Philippine energy landscape, opportunities and challenges of renewable energy, and businesses and communities empowered by renewable energy were stretched over the three virtual episodes.
Energy 101
The workshop opened with a discussion on the energy landscape of the Philippines with Jephraim Manansala of the Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities. Learn about our energy sector and existing energy policies.
Understanding Your Electricity Bill
The Philippines has the second highest electricity cost among Southeast Asian countries. Know why your electricity bill is expensive and understand how it is being computed through Alberto Dalusung III of the Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities.
RE 101
The country’s target is to increase the share of renewables in our power generation mix to 35% by 2030 and to 50% by 2040. Explore the challenges and opportunities for financial institutions to venture into renewable energy with Sara Jane Ahmed of the Vulnerable Twenty Group.
Building the Case for Just RE Transition
Renewables can bring down electricity rates in the country by 30%. Learn more about the potential of renewable energy with Atty. Pedro Maniego, Jr. of the Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities.
The Green Energy Option Program
Find out more about the objectives and goals of the Green Energy Option Program pursuant to Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act with Ruziel Larmae T. of Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines.
The Profitability of RE
Watch Vita Tropic Ice Company as they give their stories of gains and opportunities upon switching to renewable energy through the Green Energy Option Program.
The Accessibility of RE
Discover how SOLAR Hope has been maximizing the potential of solar energy to empower communities without access to electricity.
REalTalk hosted another series of virtual sessions tackling key topics and issues on the country’s energy landscape and just renewable energy transition, with a special focus on the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP). The workshop was attended by more than 160 participants.
It will also mobilize campaigners to increase the participation of end-users in the Green Energy Option Program by engaging companies, schools, hotels, and other eligible entities.
The Philippine Power Industry
Join Jephraim Manansala from the Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities to learn about the different power sources that dominate the generation mix in the country and their effect on the operations of the energy sector.
Understanding Your Electricity Bill
Albert Dalusung III of the Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities explains the different charges that cause electricity bill surges.
RE Developments in the Philippines
Renewable energy is a cheaper and cleaner alternative option, especially the Philippines can tap into a variety of renewables. Get a snapshot of the statistical situationer of renewable energy in the country with Atty. Jay Layug of Renewable Energy for AdvanceMent, Inc.
Nexus of Energy and Climate
Renewable energy is a cheaper and cleaner alternative option, especially the Philippines can tap into a variety of renewables. Get a snapshot of the statistical situationer of renewable energy in the country with Atty. Jay Layug of Renewable Energy for AdvanceMent, Inc.
Empowering Communities with Renewable Energy
Philline Donggay demonstrated the gains and opportunities of harnessing power from renewables through the initiatives of Greenergy Solar PH which electrified and empowered marginalized communities in the Mindanao region.
Switching to GEOP
Know more about the key players and switching process of the Green Energy Option Program with Monica Angelica Tagalag of Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines.
Insights from Aboitiz (RE Supplier)
Listen to Aboitiz, one of the registered renewable energy suppliers under the Green Energy Option Program, as they talk about their experiences with the program.
Insights from Globe and Arthaland (GEOP Switchers)
Discover how Globe Telecom and Arya Residences gained at least 10% electricity savings from switching to renewable energy through the Green Energy Option Program.
Proceeding the REalTalk virtual sessions were regional trainings across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to mobilize more campaigners who will champion the Green Energy Option Program and just renewable energy transition movement on the ground.
This workshop is organized in partnership with AktivAsia, a non-profit organization composed of educators and facilitators who support organizers and activists in Asia to win energy campaigns.
Through the REalTalk workshop, Climate Reality Philippines builds the knowledge and capacity of advocates who shall engage and influence potential switchers to consider sourcing power from renewables through GEOP.
2022 Luzon Regional Training
The first in-person leg of REalTalk workshop happened on 8-10 July 2022 at Sakahang Lilok, Tanay, Rizal producing twelve (12) campaigners who committed to influencing public and private stakeholders to participate in the GEOP.
AktivAsia guided the campaigners into developing their campaign strategy starting with (1) defining the problem, (2) analyzing the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental context of the movement, (3) stakeholder-mapping and power analysis, (4) analyzing motivations, and (5) formulating strategies and tactics.
2022 Visayas and Mindanao Regional Training
The second leg of the workshop was conducted on September 16-18, 2022 at West 35 Eco Mountain Resort in Balamban, Cebu producing six (6) campaigners who discussed how to implement the GEOP campaign in their regions.
The cohort session began with a discussion on active non-violence campaigning and “Delikado” screening, a film emblematic of the struggles and sacrifices of land defenders in Palawan and the need for stronger mechanisms for implementing the country’s environmental laws.
The Climate Reality Project Philippines also presented the GEOP Campaign plan to the Visayas and Mindanao participants from which they contextualized the problem statements, PESTLE analysis, stakeholder mapping, power analysis, and strategies in their respective regions.
2023 Luzon Regional Training
The 2023 REalTalk workshop had its first in-person session on 19-20 May 2023 at Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
A total of 29 renewable energy advocates—19 of whom are Climate Reality Leaders—underwent training on campaign elements and tools, as well as on leadership and power, to aid them in mobilizing campaigns in support of the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) and their own individual advocacies.
2023 Visayas Regional Training
This year’s Visayas leg of #REaLTalkwas held on July 27-30, 2023 at Ormoc City, Leyte. The training produced 30 campaigners who committed to engage private and public entities into switching to renewable energy through the Green Energy Option Program.
