FILIPINOS CAN EXPECT GREEN JOBS
FROM CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVES - ANGARA
Global Renewable Energy sector employs 2.3 million people

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today said our efforts towards promoting alternative sources of energy will lead not only to energy independence but also to job generation as well which is equally important as Filipino households will feel the brunt of the Global Financial Crisis this year.

"We have taken our step farther in terms of energy independence by instituting a Renewable Energy (RE) policy, which has one of the most attractive and most competitive incentive provisions in the world. We have examined different RE policies enacted by different countries and have combined all their best practices to craft own RE policy," said Angara who is the principal sponsor of the RE bill.

He added, "By enacting an RE policy, we can be sure that this milestone legislation would jumpstart our efforts toward energy security. And not only that, we can also provide jobs in the countryside as we switch to clean energy initiatives."

Recently, International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization of Employers and the International Trade Union Confederation (Ituc) and UN Environment Programme (Unep) released a new report entitled "Green Jobs: Toward Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World" wherein it was noted that "investments resulting from efforts to reduce climate change and its effects are already generating new jobs."

The report cited Germany's experience wherein the number of jobs in the renewable-energy sector rose from 66,600 in 1998 to 259,100 in 2006.

Globally, the Renewable Energy sector employs 2.3 million people -- many of which are from developing countries like China and Brazil. Estimates, from the report, showed that more than 20 million people will be employed by the renewable-energy sector in 2030.

"The green lights of RE opportunities are beaming towards the developing countries side. RE will spur economic growth in rural areas by providing employment opportunities and bringing in investments which is much needed especially in this tough time of financial crisis," Angara added.