By Tracy Cabrera
PORT AREA, Manila — Keen on slashing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from local shipping, maritime authorities have joined hands with partner agencies and industry leaders to advance a nationwide initiative to support the government’s decarbonization program.
In this regard, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) convened the first National Task Force (NTF) coordination meeting for the Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation Greenhouse Gas (Smart-C GHG) project to discuss strategies in reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other GHG emissions released into the atmosphere.
Among the program’s strategy involves moving away from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to slow down global warming.
According to Smart-C GHG national focal point Jeremiah Perez, the Philippines is a beneficiary of the project, which is managed under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Integrated Technical Cooperation Program and funded by the Republic of Korea.
During the NTF coordination meeting, discussions focused on refining two vital components of the initiative: a Needs Assessment Report and the Philippine Maritime GHG Data Collection Framework.
Task force members likewise reviewed the initial drafts to ensure the framework effectively supports the country’s maritime decarbonization goals.
Perez also presented a progress update while technical personnel Bannie Eslava led the discussion on the needs assessment and University of the Philippines Diliman professor Justin John Villar outlined updates on building the data collection system.
To ensure a comprehensive strategy, the task force brought together a broad coalition of public and private stakeholders. Government participants included representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Science and Technology, Board of Investments, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Coast Guard and the Cebu Port Authority.
Private sector and academic leaders also joined the discussion, including representatives from UP, Metro Shipbuilders and Ship Repairers Association, Colorado Shipyard Corporation, Marine and Technical Superintendent Association of the Philippines and Archipelago Philippine Ferries.
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