ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS

on national and local actions to reach the emission targets: The INDC focus on solid waste

18 March 2016 | Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

DOCUMENTATION REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction • Project background

• Objectives of the event

• Profile of participants

2. Opening remarks • Context setting of the V-LED Project

• Climate Dialogue Exchange

3. Directions to implement the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) • The Paris Agreement and updates

• DENR support and actions on GHG emission calculation and mitigation options for the Solid Waste sector

4. Sharing of good practices in reducing emissions: Local SWM projects • Linking national initiatives to support LGUs in developing, maintaining and defining

LED and SWM projects

• Sta. Rosa’s Efforts to Mitigate

5. Round Table Discussions Opportunities for climate actions to be integrated into NDC processes

Connecting local level GHG inventories to national GHG inventories

Strengthening coordination mechanisms between national-local (horizontal) and local-local (vertical) levels with regards to NDC implementation

Sharing of proposed projects on VLED and good practices to give participants more ideas

More topics that maybe discussed in other dialogue exchanges

Annex I: Photos

Annex II: Post-Activity Evaluation Survey

Annex III: Participants Profile

V-LED Good Practice Exchange | 16 March 16 2016, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines

Project Background The success of a global response to the climate challenge depends on the coordinated effort at multiple levels. Although national climate and green growth strategies and targets may be in place, very few countries have been able to establish dynamic vertical policy coordination mechanisms between the national and local levels. It is against this backdrop that UN-Habitat continues to support the Philippine government’s efforts in responding to challenges of climate change. Starting last quarter of 2015 until 2018, UN-Habitat will implement two but interrelated projects: (i) Vertical integration and learning on low emission development (V-LED) with support of the International Climate Initiative (IKI)- Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and in partnership with adelphi Research GmbH; and (ii) Strengthening capacities of national and regional level governance to mainstream climate change concerns into national urban-related policies with UNEP and UNESCAP as partners. Both projects are geared toward supporting government in integrating climate change into national urban policy and fostering low-emission development at the national and local levels. In the Philippines, local governments are complying with their mandates to formulate their comprehensive plans and mainstream local climate change actions into these mandated plans. Much is happening at the local level and this makes it important to further support local efforts on climate policy and vertically link them to national programs and policies with climate and sustainable energy strategies and policies integrated into the process.

INTRODUCTION Objectives of the Round Table DIscussions ① To increase the interaction between

local and national level partnerships for INDC commitments;

② To establish local and national partnerships for INDP contributions; and

③ Highlight issues at the national and local levels and possible concrete actions.

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

Profile of the Participants The event was participated by cities in NCR: Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela (collectively known as CAMANAVA), along with Pasig, Caloocan, Quezon, and Sta. Rosa.

To ensure a substantive sharing of knowledge, the participants were composed of the following:

• City/Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators

• City/Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer

• DILG City/municipal local government operations officer

• DILG Regional CDP trainer and/or DRRM focal person

Hosted by DENR-EMB, other partner agencies present were NEDA, HLURB, and DILG-Local Government Academy (LGA).

Opening Remarks and Overview

Bernhard Barth Human Settlements Officer, UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

moving its focus towards mitigation and adaptation. In the V-LED project, the focus is on solid waste management. The country’s commitment to reduce emission by 70% requires contribution from different sector. Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the key sectors and it is important to discuss how to manage it. Local and national partnerships are critical because LGUs are largely responsible for SWM.

The project has 2 main pillars: 1) vertical & horizontal exchange, learning and networking at national and city levels primarily, and 2) cross-country sharing. The dialogue event is one of the components in which LGUs and agencies try to learn from one another and feed into policy discussions; CC policies that integrate local needs. Finally, Mr. Barth thanked everyone for their participation, especially the DENR-EMB and Climate Change Commission (CCC) as their key partner in the national government.

Marcus Andreas, PhD Project Manager, adelphi gGmbph Dr. Marcus Andreas oriented participants on adelphi as an organization. adelphi is a German-based company working with different agencies and ministries to provide solutions and services for global sustainability through research, consulting and dialogue, among which are national and international climate initiatives. In their recently concluded Climate Dialogue project, adelphi aimed to raise awareness, encourage exchange, and anchor climate change adaptation (CCA) through top-down & bottom-up approaches. There is no law to force businesses into contributing and participating in the program but the government encourages and supports, which is just as necessary. The project, from which the V-LED originated, supports agencies, local governments and others to effectively interact and establish a common ground to understand each other’s issues and a platform for actions. V-LED follows a dialogical approach that allows for constructive dialogues for all actors to hear the perspectives from the ground. Dr. Andreas mentioned the events leading to the dialogue exchange, from the kick-off meeting in December to the two-day good practice exchange in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. He finished by saying he’s looking forward to continuing the conversation on climate priorities and actions and thanked everyone’s presence.

Mr. Bernhard Barth welcomed the various LGUs and guests to the event and acknowledged adelphi and DENR-EMB as their consortium partner and co-hosts, respectively. He explained UN-Habitat’s overall work on climate change (CC) and its objectives to support cities, at the same time engage at the city and regional levels, through capacity development, focusing on resilience and adaptation. The Cities and Climate Change Initiative (CCCI) back in 2008 is has been the regional office’s flagship program, and has since been

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

Scenes from previous dialogue events

Directions to implement the INDC

Albert A. Magalang Chief, Climate Change Division, DENR-EMB

adjustments or realignments of previous initiatives. It will come into force up upon submission of articles of ratification of at least 55 members, accounting for at least 55% of total GHG emissions. The long term mitigation goal is to limit the temperature at 1.5 degrees Celsius (instead of 2 degrees)—an agreement influenced by the Philippines to raise global ambition. The country also ensured “grant-based” as a qualifier in the provision of finance, considering that most development partners have already expressed their intent to support based on grants, not loans.

After COP 21, Usec. Atty. Jonas Leones issued a memo to all bureau and regional directors to adopt the Paris Agreement and implementation of the submitted INDCs. The memo contained an enumeration of various activities to be undertaken by the directors together with partner LGUs.

I. The Paris Agreement and Updates Mr. Albert Magalang was pleased to inform everyone that DENR is currently preparing their regional staff to touch base with the group as LGUs are in the forefront in the course of implementing the INDCs. In December of last year, COP 21 was held in Paris wherein 195 countries had an agreement regarding contributions in emissions reductions. The Paris Agreement will serve as new basis for the present environmental undertakings of governments as well as for the

II. INDCs and the NDC Roadmap Mr. Magalang expected incredulous reactions to the 70% reduction of emissions from the business-as-usual (BAU) commitment, as the country cannot afford to sacrifice development goals. However, he clarified that it’s conditional to the provision of implementation resources: finance, capacity building, and technology transfer. The graph (left) shows that by reducing 40% of our emissions based on priority mitigation options, the level of emissions will be around 130 million tonnes CO2 equivalent by 2030, from the BAU

Fig. 1 Absolute GHG Reduction (Conditional) in MtCO2-eq

emission levels at 221 MtCO2-eq. By further reducing it to the INDC target of 70%, it is estimated that emissions will be brought down to around 66 MtCO2-eq. If the government can ensure proper implementation of existing mitigation actions (e.g. SWM Act, Water Management Act, Clean Air Act, etc. ), the 40% reduction target is already attainable. Per EO 174 of 2014, different agencies are specifically tasked and engaged in working on various sectors. DENR is assigned on waste, industry, land-use change and forestry. The department has already identified mitigation actions for these sectors. Initial INDCs submitted in the Paris Agreement are considered Initial Investment Plan. Countries are given time to enhance these INDCs until 2019; to revisit and recalculate them and restructure policies to transform them into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This will also involve the development of the NDC Reporting System to efficiently obtain more sectoral data to complete inventories.

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

Directions to implement the INDC

These are the equations used in computing for GHG emissions from solid wastes:

• Solid waste disposal: (Population) x (Waste Generation Rate) x (Waste Compositions) x (Distribution of Waste among Disposal Site Types) x (GHG Emission Factors based on Disposal Site Type)

• Biological treatment of solid waste (composting): (Amount Municipal Solid Waste) x (10%) x (GHG Emission Factors)

• Open-burning of solid waste: (Amount Municipal Solid Waste) x (15% of Population) x (Fraction Open Burned) x (GHG Emission Factors)

IV. Mitigation Options for the Solid Waste Sector

• Aerobic composting

• Anaerobic digestion

• Eco-efficient soil cover

• Landfill gas flaring

• Control of open-burning

V. Challenges and Recommendations in SWM at the Local Level

These challenges fall under the following categories: (a) policy-making, planning and financing systems; political, administrative, organizational and institutional dynamics; (b) segregation, collection, recycling/recovery, public/private participation; and (c) safe disposal: dumpsite closure and rehabilitation/ sanitary landfill establishment. DENR-EMB has outlined corresponding recommendations to address every issue.

Most of the identified mitigation actions were already mandated under RA 9003 and complying to the law contributes much to the country’s GHG reduction target.

III. Updates and Status on GHG Emission

Fig.2 Emissions without forestry and other land use Fig.2 Estimated GHG missions from Solid Waste

Sources of solid wastes include solid waste disposal (dumpsites and landfills), composting, and open-burning. In 2010, emissions from solid wastes account to about 34% of the total emission from the waste sector and projected to increase to 40% by 2030.

Others include: 1. Optimization of waste collection vehicle and routing schemes 2. Segregation of recyclables 3. Methane treatment and utilization: Electricity generation at biggest

facilities 4. Leachate collection and treatment at disposal sites: Recirculation,

aerobic or anaerobic treatment with methane recovery 5. Co-processing of pre-segregated MSW as alternative fuels and raw

materials (AFR) in cement kilns 6. Waste-to-Energy (WTE) conversion of residual wastes

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

with Mr. Albert Magalang of DENR-EMB

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

Jay Timbreza (DILG Pasig): In our Manila Bay clean-up, we have targeted to reach quality level at this time but we have failed. The problem lies in the political will of leaders to implement goals. Do we have political will in attaining the 70% reduction target? Also, does the NDC include the Manila Bay clean-up? Magalang: It is an assumption that there will be political will. If existing laws are well implemented, if legislations and environmental regulations are being complied with, it falls under conditional elements. And yes, the Manila Bay clean-up falls under waste water. It is a recipient of wastes of various areas so there are considerations in computing its GHG emissions.

Priscella Mejillano (UN-Habitat): Prior to this event we had a Good Practice Exchange hosted by Sta. Rosa City. In the discussions, there’s the notion that the LGUs should be counted in the 70%. Per USAID, there were initial discussions with the CCC that there are protocols established at the national & subnational level as to the coverage of the 70%. LGUs can continue to implement LED projects though for simultaneous implementation. But are there clear policies on that? Magalang: We are looking at new and additional options, other practices and players (like the coastal marine), that were yet to be factored in. We need to undergo the process of revisiting the INDC and encourage dialogue and consultation. When we submitted the INDC last year, we were able to consult only the national level, CSOs, and business sectors. We have started rolling out consultations at the local level especially areas in river basins, starting in Davao. So we have to involve the different sectors, other options, projects, and success stories to add to our metrics, so we can comply with INDC. We have to have a lot of round table discussions with various sectors.

Dino Lagos (DILG NCR): What is the connection between the INDC and People’s Survival Fund (PSF)? Magalang: Part of the implementation of NDC can be supported by the PSF, like local projects of LGUs. The manual on how to access it is already available. It's considered among many options for financial support. The LCCAP is the basis of the NDC and must therefore be firmed up. Some of the numbers and projections used in the NDC were based on existing plans like the SWM plan.

Mark Mesina (CENRO, Malabon): In the waste category, is MMDA included in the program? Magalang: Yes, they’re a member of the CCC and also the NSWMC. They’re one of the data-generating agencies.

Sudi Valencia (DILG Navotas): Where is DILG in the institutional arrangement for INDC implementation? We want to legalize our participation in this program. Aside from the fact that we’re exercising general supervision over local government, we want our roles to be defined as well as the LGUs’. Albert Magalang (DENR-EMB): DILG is very important as mitigation actions trickle down to the local level. The real action will be at the bottom going up. The coordinating body is the CCC, in which DILG is one of the board members and therefore one of the major actors. The arrangement comprises of agencies which have programs and policy-making mandates related to GHG inventory, especially at the national level.

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

Linking national initiatives to support LGUs in developing, maintaining and defining LED and SWM projects

Ms. Priscella Mejillano V-LED Project Coordinator, UN-Habitat

Ms. Priscella Mejillano explained that the dialogue exchange is a focused discussion on how LGUs are able to implement CCA/CCM projects and contribute to INDC. The Philippines intends to undertake GHG (CO2e) emissions reduction of about 70% by 2030 relative to its BAU scenario of 2000-2030. The challenge is mitigation contribution. Reduction will come from six sectors: transport, energy, agriculture, forestry, industry, and waste. While discussions are ongoing for INDCs, there are national policies and targets (e.g. RA 9729, RA 10174, RA 121, RA 9003, RA

10121, etc.) where LGUs are frontline providers. Following the mandates, LGUS are tasked to mainstream mitigation, adaptation, and DRRM into the CLUP and CDP. There are priority actions at the LGU level, The question is, where is the meeting point? At the national level, protocols are established and a measurement, verification, and reporting (MVR) system to really count the contribution to INDC. In linking national initiatives to support in developing, maintaining and defining LED and SWM projects, dialogue exchanges and capacity-building activities are conducted. The national government may also provide a clear lens as to mainstreaming. Furthermore, national level efforts are extended in organizing informal regional network of national and LGU representatives for local climate-resilient LED through regional good practice conferences focusing on good practice learning and stakeholder networking. She cited DILG’s “Good Practices in Local Governance: Facility for Adoption and Replication” (GO-FAR) project as a model in helping LGUs in the replication process, which emphasizes the importance of documenting good practices. Ms. Mejillano said she hopes to get inspiration from the good practices shared here.

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

Nora Diaz (HLURB Director): In the policy development group, GHG is abent in guidebooks. So how do we mainstream? The CLUP is a physical plan. We’re coming up with another module on top of the 70 training modules in preparation of the guidebook. We’re looking to DILG for the CDP part as LGUs need guidance.

Elmo Dimaano (DILG-LGA): We’re coming up with a guidebook on LCCAP formulation considering the latest development such as GHG emissiosn reduction, the Sustainable Developemnt Goals, etc. Mejillano: In the project, we’re coming up with mainstreaming mitigation as volume 3 of the LCCAP guide. The mainstreaming guide wil yield a facilitator’s handbook. We’ll plug that in the CLUP. We’ll have a modular handbook. Before 2018 is the national trainer’s training.

Sharing of good practices in reducing emissions: Local SWM projects

EnP. Erlinda Creencia City Environment and Natural Resources Officer

Ms. Erlinda Creencia began her presentation with the city’s demographic profile. She pointed that the 55.39-sq. km. city is home to various commercial establishments, car and beverage companies, high-end subdivisions, so one can already imagine how much GHG the city emits. She emphasized the importance of GHG inventory as the 1st step to formulate mitigation measures to formulate an effective LCCAP. The inventory critical in planning as it will serve as basis or reference. In the

words of Peter Drucker, “you can only manage what you can measure.” In developing the inventory, there are factors to consider, namely: (a) the WRI GHG Protocol; (b) base year, reporting and frequency of reporting; (c) emission sources; and (d) appropriate quantification method, activity data and emission factor data, and GHG emission calculation. Sta. Rosa was among the only 6 of 40 cities supported by USAID who were able to complete the GHG framework plan. The strategy of training was ‘learning by doing’, in that they were trained to do GhG inventory first at city government offices or at “entity level”. Sta. Rosa LGU learned about the processes; on how to calculate and gather quality data, so they can then compute at the community level. Sta. Rosa chose 2010 as their base yearbecause there were no disasters during that year, hence, a ‘normal’ year. To close, Ms. Creencia assured other LGUs that it’s not too late to do their share in mitigating GHG emissions. The country is experiencing the impacts of climate change, so everyone should do something even without the INDC. Question and Answer Dr. Marcus Andreas (adelphi): How difficult was it to engage the private sector? Creencia: We are fortunate that majority in our industry sector are very cooperative and open to giving information. Many corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities resulted in the donation of equipment and machines for CCM. Working with the private sector and industry was no problem. Even private businesses in the cities next to Sta. Rosa give us donations and help with environmental projects. William Sese (NEDA): In the GhG framework plan, have you considered the use of carbon taxes to incentivize the private sector to encourage a behavioural shift? Creencia: We have included in our environmental code the promotion of renewable energy. As we finalize our implementing rules and regulations (IRR), we’re including incentivization. Raquel Naciongyaon (CENRO, Pasig) : In our recently approved Green Building Ordinance, we have included a 10% incentive, that can go up to 20% for early payments. And additional 2% real property tax incentive can be availed, although only up until the next 5 yrs. It’s applicable for properties 50 sq. meters and above, and mandatory for 10,000 sq. m. and above. Incenties are a great strategy to encourage compliance.

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

Round Table Discussions

1. What are the opportunities for climate actions to be integrated into NDC

processes? 2. How can local level GHG inventories be connected to national GHG

inventories? 3. What coordination mechanisms need to be strengthened between

national-local (horizontal) and local-local (vertical) levels with regards to NDC implementation?

4. What are the list of proposed projects on VLED and good practices you can share to give us more idea as we engage the national level, other actors, and stakeholders? What are the topics you want to be discussed in other dialogue exchanges?

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

Round Table Discussions: Group Outputs

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

What are the opportunities for climate actions to be integrated into NDC processes?

Group 1 • DENR, CCC, DILG, together with development partners and the private sector, are going down (further) to the community level to partner on implementation of climate initiatives.

• Capacity-building on how to calculate and develop GHG data and information • IEC programs relevant to both highly urbanized cities and rural LGUs • Funding support

Group 2 • Local initiatives: materials Recovery Facility (MRF), tree-planting, mangrove reforestation in the CAMANAVA region (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela), air quality monitoring system with capacity-building program by DENR-EMB

• Local health offices/departments to issue sanitation permits

Group 3 • CCC, with the help of DILG and EMB, should capacitate local planning officers, local ENROs, and DRRM officers.

• Designate environment officers to integrate and consolidate climate action into NDC processes

• Enact an ordinance mandating all business establishments and sectors to submit and disclose their GHG emission data.

• Use the Paris Agreement COP 21 Commitment of the Philippines as legal basis for initiatives aimed at reducing GHG at the local and sectoral levels (even in the private sector)

• LGUs to appoint local ENROs and LCCAP focal persons • SWM Officer to be in a separate division, under the structure of the ENRO

How can local level GHG inventories be connected to national GHG inventories?

Group 1 • Partnerships between local and national agencies • Set standards for both in terms of guidelines and tools, provision of capacity-building

program and establishing a monitoring system to enable LGUs to easily report to national agencies

Group 2 • Establish GHG inventory system at the local level, with proper monitoring and evaluation

• Databanking/baseline data and targets • DILG-LGA to include the GHG inventory process in the Newly-Elected Officials (NEO)

training program

Group 3 • Mandatory creation of ENRO and assigning a local focal person (FP) for GHG inventory. Secondly, capacitate the ENRO and FP. Thirdly, for national agencies to collect results of inventories.

• Creation of an online portal for LED and other relevant data that’s accessible by all sectors (LGUs, CSOs, private sector, etc.)

• Enforce an act/ordinance (with legal basis from national agencies) requiring establishments to do their share & submit emissions dat.

* Only 40 of 1,400+ LGUs were able to complete their GHG accounting.

Round Table Discussions: Plenary

V-LED Round Table Discussions| 18 March 2016, Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas, Pasig City, Philippines

What coordination mechanisms need to be strengthened between national-local (horizontal) and local-local (vertical) levels with regards to NDC implementation?

• E.O/Memorandum circular (MC) from DILG or the Office of the President to assign a focal person for the LCCAP and GHG inventory. Most LGUs don’t have ENROs yet or are just designated.

• Gathering emissions data from industries can be challenging. In Sta. Rosa, some industries insisted that the data they’re asking is confidential while Malabon LGU was denied entry upon inspection. The group suggests that GHG emissions data be integrated as a requirement in the Business Permits and Licensing system. There’s also a need for a joint MC to authorize DILG & DENR to simultaneously inspect establishments to obtain emissions data. Generally, there’s a need to enforce ordinances/resolutions related to GHG inventories at the local level.

• There’s a need to clarify the organizational structure of CCC and define the role of regional and national ENROs, or LGUs in general in the structure. UN-Habitat assured that the proceedings of the roundtable discussions will be forwarded to CCC for prompt response.

What are the list of proposed projects on VLED and good practices you can share to give us more idea as we engage the national level, other actors, and stakeholders? What are

the topics you want to be discussed in other dialogue exchanges?

POLICY-MAKING, PLANNING, & FINANCING SYSTEMS: • Integrated CC response

from a watershed point of view

• Local and national MVR and M&E system on climate actions

• Classifying traffic as a disaster in the Metro Manila area

• Local DRRM fund and other financing opportunities to support climate actions

• Incentivize the promotion of LEDs by the private sector

• PPP process and other partnership mechanisms on LED implementation

• Clear policy guidance on GHG inventory and other legal issuances

• Formulation of a Communication Plan

CAPACITY BUILDING • Summits/forums related to

CCM in all sectors • Orientation and training on

simplified concepts on CC • Discussion on applicable

technologies adaptable to specific LGUs (e.g. for high density LGUs, coastal cities, etc.)

• Methodology and tools for GHG inventory, management planning and assessment of prioritizing mitigation actions

• Waste to energy—possible or practical?

MITIGATION OPTIONS • Advanced/emerging

technologies related to CCA/CCM

• Vertical planting technology as proposed by DENR

• Technology on the recycling of plastics with support from NGAs

• Carbon trading • “3 R’s + A” on SWM: Reuse,

reduce, recycle plus avoidance

• Sta. Rosa’s Green Code • Renewable energies • Installation of bike lanes