Time: 08:00 - 17:00

Venue: LRC 2, ADB Headquarters, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

 

Background

The Pathways for Clean Air and Clean Energy Project implemented by Clean Air Asia has been providing support to the governments of the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia in the revision and implementation of more stringent emission standards for coal-fired power plants (CFPs) and overall reduction of emissions from industries.

The emission standards in the Philippines have not been revised for 23 years and is one of the most lenient in the region [1]. Clean Air Asia is supporting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in the review and update of emission standards and other related regulations on emissions reduction and air quality improvement, aligned with sustainable development goals (SDGs), climate targets, and a just energy transition. An extensive study on the emissions inventory, air quality dispersion modeling, and the mapping of health and economic benefits of more stringent emission standards has been completed for the Bataan province. This pilot study is being used as a reference of the country-wide analysis to revise emission standards. Capacity building and training activities have also been organized to support relevant stakeholders in strengthening technical and enforcement capacities in the management of emissions from CFPs.

Parallel to the technical aspect of the project, communication of the benefits of clean air and clean energy initiatives is important to

encourage collective action of the public, key stakeholders, and policymakers. By providing relatable technical information to advocates, clean air and energy campaigns become more effective by emphasizing the benefits of action and costs of inaction.

To support these initiatives, Clean Air Asia is organizing a training program for young local environmental journalists, media practitioners, and civil society organizations (CSOs) in communicating science and evidence-based information on air quality, CFPs, and the importance of a clean energy transition both to a wider and public audience.

Objectives

  • Establish long-term connections between participants and fellow journalists, thought leaders, and practitioners, towards building a sustained network of stakeholders working on air quality and climate change, and its different drivers.
  • Build knowledge and communications skills of participants on air quality, health impacts, and linkages with just energy transition, to help mainstream these issues in policy and decision making of relevant government and non-government actors.
  • Develop participants’ skills in science communication, thereby facilitating regular interviews and coordination with topic experts and thought leaders on issues of air quality, climate change, and just energy transition.  
  • Equip participants with intermediate science communication skills to enable them to properly investigate and research technical material on air quality and climate change, and to produce engaging communication outputs (e.g., stories).

Program

08:00 - 08:30 -- Registration

08:30 - 08:45 -- Welcome remarks and Overview of Clean Air Asia, Mr. Patrick Baker, Communications and Marketing Manager, Clean Air Asia

08:45 - 09:15 -- Introduction of speakers and overview of the workshop, Mr. TJ Dimacali, Science Communication Educator, Clean Air Asia

09:15 - 09:45 -- Understanding air quality, Mr. Miko Cosep, Senior Researcher, Clean Air Asia 

09:45 - 10:00 -- Just Energy Transition, Mr. Pratik Ranjan Jha, Energy Policy Specialist, Clean Air Asia

10:00 - 10:15 -- Coffee break / AM snacks

10:15 - 10:30 -- Overview of Coal-Fired Powerplants (CFPs) in the Philippines, Engr. Cris Beo, Researcher, Clean Air Asia

10:30 - 11:15 -- The link of air pollution, emissions, energy, and climate change, Ms. Everlyn Tamayo, Air Quality and Climate Change Science Lead, Clean Air Asia

10:15 - 12:00 -- Science communication lecture, Mr. TJ Dimacali, Science Communication Educator, Clean Air Asia

12:00 - 13:00 -- Lunch 

13:00 - 15:00 -- Writing exercise, Mr. TJ Dimacali, Science Communication Educator, Clean Air Asia

15:00 - 15:15 -- Coffee Break / PM snacks

15:15 - 17:15 -- Roundtable critique of writing output,  Mr. TJ Dimacali, Science Communication Educator, Clean Air Asia

17:15 - 17:30 -- Closing remarks, Ms. Everlyn Tamayo, Air Quality and Climate Change Science Lead, Clean Air Asia