BUILDING LOW EMISSION ALTERNATIVES TO DEVELOP ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT (B-LEADERS)
THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014
June 2014 This document was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It was prepared by the Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability (B-LEADERS) Project implemented by International Resources Group for USAID Philippines.
BUILDING LOW EMISSION ALTERNATIVES TO DEVELOP ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT (B-LEADERS) THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014
IDIQ AID–OAA-I-13-00015 Contract: AID-492-TO-14-00005
June 2014
DISCLAIMER The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF PHOTOS AND FIGURES ·································································· V EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ················································································ 1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ············································································· 4 PROJECT OBJECTIVES ················································································· 6 HIGHLIGHTS ······························································································ 11 Mobilization Phase ...... 11 Task 1 In-Country Capacity on Low Emission Development ...... 12 Cross Cutting Activities and Community and Outreach Activities ...... 15 Activities under the Special Activities Fund ...... 17 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES ·························································· 18
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LIST OF PHOTOS AND FIGURES Photo 1. Representatives from government agencies led by CCC Assistant Secretary (ASec.) Joy Goco provides insights on the possible LEDS Guidebook elements during the workshop. Present were Asec. Raymund Acol and Dir. Jesus Tamang of DOE, Lemar Jimenez of DOTC, Julius Casabal of NEDA, Gigi Merilo and Josine Divina of DENR, Rose Sontillanosa of NAMRIA and Sandee Recabar and Harriet Tauli of CCC. Photo 2. MinDA-led workshop on assessing options on privatizing the Agus-Pulangui Hydroelectric Power Complex. Photo 3. Ceremonial Turnover of the Updated Wind Atlas and the Geospatial Toolkit to the Government of the Philippines (In photo: Jessica Katz and Mark Jacobson from NREL, Winston Bowman from USAID/Philippines, USec. Raul Aguilos, USec. Zenaida Monsada, USec. Donato Marcos from DOE and Arnold Belver from CCC). Photo 4. Participating agencies during the Institutional Arrangements Workshop for Forestry Sector include CCC represented by Sandee Recabar, FMB-DENR and NAMRIA. Photo 5. USAID/Philippines OEECC Acting Director Joe Foltz welcomes the participants from development agencies during the Development Partners’ Meeting held at the B-LEADERS office. Foltz recognizes the significance of working together and collaborating on climate change and renewable energy related projects. Photo 6. Roxas Mayor Maria Angela Sabando proudly shares how public-private partnership worked in Green Island, highlighting USAID’s support in putting up the Renewable Energy Micro grid power system. Photo 7. Pebbles Sanchez of the CCC and Martin Morales of TEFI served as technical trainers for the basics of climate change and renewable energy. Figure 1. B-LEADERS Project’s entries to USAID/Philippines’ Environmental Infographics Challenge.
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 v
ACRONYMS
ACEF Asia Clean Energy Forum ADB Asian Development Bank AFD French Development Agency AILEG Analysis and Investments for Low Emission Growth ASec. Assistant Secretary ASOG Ateneo School of Government B+WISER Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience B-LEADERS Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability Project BNHS Batangas National High School CCC Climate Change Commission CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CEnergy Climate Change and Clean Energy Project CO Contract Officer COP Chief of Party DBM Department of Budget and Management DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources DOE Department of Energy DOST Department of Science and Technology DOTC Department of Transportation and Communications EC-LEDS Enhancing Capacity for Low Emission Development Strategies EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan EU European Union FE First Environment GCC Global Climate Change GGGI Global Green Growth Institute GHG Greenhouse Gas GIZ Deutsche Gesselschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GPH Government of the Philippines GsT Geospatial toolkit ICCT International Council on Clean Transportation IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IR Intermediate Result IRG International Resources Group
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 vii JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency LEAD Low Emissions Asian Development LEDS Low Emission Development Strategies LGUs Local Government Units MinDA Mindanao Development Authority MIS Management Information System MOU Memorandum of Understanding NAMAs Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions NAMRIA National Mapping and Resource Information Authority NEDA National Economic and Development Authority NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory OEECC Office of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change PFAN Private Financing Advisory Network PFG Partnership for Growth PLLENRO Philippine League of Local Environmental and Natural Resources Officers PMP Performance Monitoring Plan PPP Public Private Partnerships RE Renewable Energy RTD Roundtable Discussion SAF Special Activities Fund SEI Stockholm Environment Institute TEFI Team Energy Foundation Incorporated TOCOR Task Order Contracting Officer Representative UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change USAID United States Agency for International Development USec. Undersecretary USG US Government US-NREL United States Department of Energy-National Renewable Energy Laboratory WB World Bank
viii B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This quarterly report covers the period from April to June 2014. A series of meetings among the Climate Change Commission (CCC), project partners and other donor organizations, was seen as one of the key achievements of this period. These meetings provided an opportunity to define collaboration procedures and to refine project objectives with partners. In line with the work plan of the Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability Project (B-LEADERS), several important activities were carried out during this quarter. They are as follows: • The project developed a framework on data management information system (MIS) relying on standardized methodologies for data collection, management, and analysis. It builds on the Philippines’ existing inventory methodology to address data gaps and institutionalized data management. The roadmap for establishing a National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory MIS was proposed to be implemented in three phases. • B-LEADERS, together with CCC and Team Energy Foundation (TEFI), conducted a facilitators’ training-workshop for the staff of Bahay Kaalaman on June 9. A key output of the activity was the development of a learning module which facilitators can use as a reference guide during exposure visits. • The project, in partnership with Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), provided technical assistance for the workshop on the assessment of privatization of the Agus-Pulangui Hydro Power Complex. An output of the workshop was a work plan to respond to legal, technical, and regulatory issues that may arise with the privatization option. • B-LEADERS supported the fifth annual convention of Philippine League of Local Environmental and Natural Resources Officers (PLLENRO) with the theme “Building Climate Resilient Local Government Units (LGUs).” The gathering of over 200 environmental officers across the country was an effective vehicle for knowledge-sharing among the various LGUs and a medium for peer-to- peer capacity building. • B-LEADERS supported Mayor Angela Sabando of Green Island in the preparation of a 10-minute presentation of the renewable energy (RE) micro-grid power system for the 9th Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF). The renewable energy provides electricity to 50 households and sustains the production of ice flakes for fish catch preservation. Around 50% of electricity expense is saved from this innovation and resulted in a reduction in carbon emission of 92,710 kilograms. The presentation piqued the interest of the international community to visit and learn from the Green Island experience. • On June 17, B-LEADERS supported the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the launching of the updated wind energy atlas and the geospatial toolkit (GsT) for the Philippines. The activity presented the latest developments in wind energy project development and the GsT capacities as a policy tool for the Department of Energy (DOE) and CCC, guiding them to achieve low-emission resilient growth. USAID/Philippines Global Climate Change (GCC) Advisor Winston Bowman led in the ceremonial turnover of the GsT and Wind Reanalysis Products to DOE and CCC.
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 1 • The project participated in and supported the documentation of the Low Emissions Asian Development (LEAD) program’s emission factor regional and national workshops on June 2-6 to help countries develop country-specific emission factors for stationary and mobile combustion that are consistent with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) standards. • USAID/Philippines’ Infographic Competition featured the winning entries of B-LEADERS titled “Two Sides of Climate Change Action” and “It’s About Time! Understanding Electricity Pricing.” Through the support of its partners and the campaign conducted by the project staff, the number of registered Facebook “likes” for the two entries of B-LEADERS were 5,075 and 4,422 respectively, putting these in the top and second places. As the anchor program for the promotion of the Enhancing Capacity for Low Emission Development Strategies (EC-LEDS) program in the Philippines, the B-LEADERS team supported the conduct of workshops led by other US government (USG) agencies and contractors such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and USAID LEAD Program, all in collaboration with CCC. The NREL-led workshop on Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) guidebook took into account the lessons learned during the implementation of LEDS in other countries. CCC in particular was reinforced to inform the elements of the scoping and planning stage of a national LEDS with scientific information and evolving socio-economic situation of the country. Steps for institutional arrangements for a GHG inventory were identified in the workshop organized by LEAD, expected to enable effective, transparent, and inclusive data collection and management. Discussions during the workshops focused on the need for effective coordination among agencies and institutional arrangements to set in place efficient collection and management of data on GHG emissions, better data management strategies, well-defined management objectives, and better synergies between donor projects and the host-government agencies. These two workshops resulted in the identification of several institutions that would take the leadership and responsibility for coordinating the process and establish a mechanism for cross-sectoral cooperation and broader stakeholder participation. In principle, inroads to institutionalize the national GHG inventory in key government offices have been created for the quarter. Focal persons within relevant agencies for the GHG inventory have been identified, forward steps to prepare these government agencies in their role as lead agencies for the different sectoral GHG inventory have been agreed upon, and the need to craft legal instruments or an Executive Order for the institutionalization of the national GHG inventory has been reinforced. Separate meetings conducted among USAID Chiefs of Party (COPs) and development agencies1 reiterated the need for partners to push more aggressively for implementation of its projects and progress indicated by ownership, alignment, and harmonization. In line with this coordination, the meeting further discussed similar strategies on GHG inventory, renewable energy, and geographic areas where partners are confident of existing local government leadership, systems, and the support of other key stakeholders. Generally, the meetings synthesized the initiatives on climate change and low emission development projects. During all of these meetings, USAID/Philippines presented the B-LEADERS project and how it is directly linked to EC-LEDS Framework, complementary to the goals of CCC and the Philippines’ accountability to the UNFCCC.
1 Asian Development Bank (ADB), Deutsche Gesselschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), European Union (EU), French Development Agency (AFD), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the World Bank (WB)
2 B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 During the same period, the B-LEADERS project actively sought ways to continually build its network through the conduct of information, education, and communication activities, such as Mayor Sabando’s presentation of the Green Island’s renewable energy facility in Roxas, Palawan and the project staff’s participation to the 9th Asia Clean Energy Forum. B-LEADERS staff also attended other stakeholder roundtables, as well as joint meetings at program and sectoral levels.
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 3 PROJECT BACKGROUND The Task Order Contract was awarded to the International Resources Group (IRG) for the implementation of USAID/Philippines’ Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability (B-LEADERS) Project on January 23, 2014, under contract number AID- 492-TO-14-00005. The main objective of the B-LEADERS Project is to strengthen the capacity of the Philippine government and its key partners such as the CCC, DOE, and selected LGUs to plan, design, and implement LEDS contributing to the formulation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in the energy and transport sectors, and to a certain extent, the forestry/land-use sectors. IRG is supported by a combined team of US-based and local firms that include: a) Abt Associates; b) First Environment (FE); c) International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT); d) Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); e) Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) and f) Full Advantage. B- LEADERS will build on the successful outcome of a number of USAID-funded projects such as the Climate Change and Clean Energy Project (CEnergy), the Low-Emission Asian Development (LEAD), the Analysis and Investments for Low Emission Growth (AILEG), the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN), the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER), and the Laboratory Expert Technical Support for Global Climate Change and Clean Energy of the United States Department of Energy-National Renewable Energy Laboratory (US- NREL). B-LEADERS is in line with the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and is generally complementing the Partnership for Growth (PFG) Initiative directly linking to Development Objective 3 – Environmental Resilience Improved, Intermediate Result (IR) 3.2 – Natural Resources and Environmental Management Improved, Sub-IR 3.2.3 Climate Change Resilience and Mitigation Increased, and advancing the US government program to support the Philippines’ efforts to pursue long- term, transformative development and to accelerate sustainable, climate-resilient economic growth while slowing the increase of greenhouse gas emissions, through the EC-LEDS program. Apart from being an EC-LEDS partner country, the Philippines is also one of four partner countries of the USG under the Partnership for Growth. PFG is fostering broad-based economic growth in the next generation of emerging markets. While PFG is the broader flagship program of the Mission, with an emphasis on transformative economic growth, LEDS complements and enhances its sustainability by focusing on sustainable management of natural resources and reduction of emissions. There are two major tasks under B-LEADERS: 1) Strengthen the capacity of the Philippine government to promote and implement low emission development strategy Under Task 1, the technical assistance is focused on the establishment of the institutional structure, mandate, systems, and methodologies as well as strengthening of policy and regulatory support for Low Emission Development Strategies. B-LEADERS is working closely with the Climate Change Commission, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), among others. 2) Provide technical assistance to increase investments into clean energy Task 2 promotes investments into clean energy projects and strengthens clean energy investment partnerships and networks. Specifically, these activities are designed to: (1) enhance the capacity
4 B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) to streamline business processes for clean energy projects; (2) provide technical assistance and mentoring support to project developers for the purpose of facilitating project financing; (3) provide trainings and technology appreciation courses to banks and financing institutions on clean energy technologies to facilitate sound risk assessments; (4) strengthen networks for clean energy development and investments in order to institutionalize mechanisms for clean energy mentoring, financing, and business processing; and, (5) support the implementation of selected clean energy projects to demonstrate the LEDS process.
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 5 PROJECT OBJECTIVES The main objective of the B-LEADERS Project is to strengthen the cooperation with the Government of the Philippines and its key partners to plan, design, and implement LEDS in support of the joint USG - GPH LEDS work plan. The project will support the Philippine’s climate change programs and green growth strategies towards the development of NAMAs. The project will focus on enhancing the capacities of the CCC, DOE, and selected LGUs for LEDS analysis and implementation. Where relevant and feasible, specific partnerships with the DENR, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), DOE, key academic institutions, and private sector organizations will be pursued. Partnerships with clean energy project developers and private financing institutions will be further pursued and strengthened. Specifically, the B-LEADERS Project is expected to achieve the following results: 1. In-country capacity on low emissions development is enhanced. 2. Investment into clean energy projects is increased. The first expected result will be considered attained with the preparation of a revised national GHG inventory, improved national data on emissions, and the formulation of NAMAs for the Philippines. The second expected result will be measured in terms of the total value in dollars of investments facilitated into clean energy projects and the total megawatts of capacity added or saved. Both high-level results are expected to contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions and in the long run to the improvement of the Philippines’ air quality, economic efficiency, and climate change resilience. Activities leading to these results will start from an analysis of the country’s energy sector status and its energy security targets and shall proceed with considerable focus on determining priority mitigation actions, increasing efficiency, building capacity, and identifying priority sites for the country’s energy sector. Parallel to defining the energy sector’s status and targets in terms of security, the project will also assess the state and outlook of clean energy investments in the country and shall pay particular attention to recent experiences by both government and private financing institutions in clean energy investments. Below is the results framework of the project, providing expected results and the indicators.
6 B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 TABLE 1. Results Framework of B-LEADERS
Narrative summary Objectively verifiable Means of verification Assumptions indicators Goal Quantity of GHG emissions, Application of GHG emissions Computations will be based on Climate change resilience and mitigation measured in metric tons of CO2 accounting and attribution megawatts realized from increased equivalent, reduced or methodology investments promotions and sequestered as a result of USG Validation of sources of policy implementation assistance computation e.g. assumptions on Anticipated GHG reductions megawatts realized over years, as a result of USG assistance Purpose Number of laws, policies, Before and after evaluation of Strengthen the capacity of the GPH and its key strategies, plans, agreements, or policies, strategies, regulations, partners to plan, design, and implement LEDS regulations addressing climate tools, and methodologies change and/or biodiversity Interview of GPH counterparts conservation officially proposed, and private sector partners adopted, or implemented as a result of USG assistance Minutes of meetings Number of institutions with improved capacity to address climate change issues as a result of USG assistance Output 1: Capacities for low emissions Number of people receiving development strengthened training in global climate change as a result of USG assistance, disaggregated by gender Number of climate mitigation and/or adaptation tools, technologies, and methodologies developed, tested and/or adopted as a result of USG assistance Activities
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 7 Narrative summary Objectively verifiable Means of verification Assumptions indicators 1.1 LEDS whole-of-economy co-benefits Report on the results of the Attendance sheets multi-metric analysis analysis Performance Monitoring Plan Type and number of analytical (PMP) tools used Quarterly and Annual Reports of Number of hours of training the Contractor Type and number of technical Annual program implementation specialist or subject matter review with GPH experts provided 1.2 National energy forecasting and Report on the results of the Attendance sheets optimization analysis PMP Type and number of analytical Quarterly and Annual Reports of tools used the Contractor Number of hours of training Annual program implementation Type and number of technical review with GPH specialist or subject matter experts provided 1.3 Analysis of power and transport Report on the results of the Report submitted by the systems using GsT analysis Consultant Type and number of analytical PMP tools used Quarterly and Annual Reports of Number of hours of training the Contractor Type and number of technical Annual program implementation specialist or subject matter review with GPH experts provided 1.4 Power grid integration and grid impact Number of hours of training Attendance sheets assessment training Type and number of technical PMP specialist or subject matter Quarterly and Annual Reports of experts provided the Contractor Annual program implementation review with GPH
8 B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 Narrative summary Objectively verifiable Means of verification Assumptions indicators 1.5 LEDS and clean energy promotion Type and number of public Attendance sheets outreach materials PMP Type and duration of media Quarterly and Annual Reports of broadcast or publications the Contractor Number of hours of trainings, Annual program implementation conferences, or meetings review with GPH 1.6 NAMAs Plan formulation Number of hours of trainings, Attendance sheets conferences, or meetings PMP Type and number of technical Quarterly and Annual Reports of specialist or subject matter the Contractor experts provided Annual program implementation review with GPH Output 2: Partnerships in Clean Energy Amount of investment leveraged Total value of projects indicated Investments Established in U.S. dollars, from private and in the business plans or proposals public sources, for climate approved or accepted by a change as a result of USG financing institution or investor assistance Value of contributions of government counterparts and private sector partners as verified through estimates of value of materials, expertise, and time provided Activities 2.1 Clean energy business center Number of hours of trainings, Before and after evaluation of the establishment conferences, or meetings business process Type and number of technical Document review specialist or subject matter Interview of GPH counterparts experts provided Minutes of meetings and feedback from project developers and financing institutions
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 9 Narrative summary Objectively verifiable Means of verification Assumptions indicators 2.2 Investment forums and deal-flow Number of hours of trainings, Minutes of forums and attendance sessions for project developers and conferences, or meetings sheets financing institutions Type and number of technical Interview of project developers specialist or subject matter and financing institutions experts provided 2.3 Business planning and financing Number of hours of training Copy of business plans and Project developers have a trainings for clean energy project Type and number of technical investment proposals basic business plan or a pre- developers specialist or subject matter Documents review: before-after feasibility study prepared experts provided comparisons Type and number of analytical tools used 2.4 Clean energy technology trainings Number of hours of training Reports on technology for banks, investors, and financing Type and number of technical orientation institutions specialist or subject matter Attendance sheets experts provided Travel reports Type and number of analytical Interview tools used 2.5 Clean energy business development Type and number partners Minutes of meetings and and financing network activation Number of hours of trainings, attendance sheets conferences, or meetings Interview project developers and Type and number of technical financing institutions specialist or subject matter experts provided 2.6 Clean energy test case project Quantity of operational Site visit The clean energy project will completion renewable electric generation Interview project developer and be funded by a project capacity or energy savings financier developer, financing institution, and/or investors
10 B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 HIGHLIGHTS Building low emission alternatives has been highlighted as one important link to economic resilience and sustainability. This report points out that in this quarter, B-LEADERS supported in-country capacity on low emission development by providing assistance and technical support in establishing institutional structure, systems, and methodologies in GHG inventory, assisting in the development of a LEDS guidebook, supported the conduct of the assessment workshop on privatizing Agus-Pulangui Hydro Power Complex, among other activities. In addition, the project educated urban and rural citizens about climate change and its adaptation and mitigation processes, the eco-town model in Green Island, Roxas, Palawan, and how the LGU supported the establishment of a renewable energy facility in an off-grid area. USAID Office of the Environment Energy and Climate Change (OEECC) Acting Director Joe Foltz recognized during the Development Agencies Meeting, “There is commitment and support of development agencies in line with coordination, particularly in similar strategies, mostly in partnership with the Philippine Government’s Climate Change Commission on greenhouse gas inventory and renewable energy; and in geographic areas where partners are confident of existing local government leadership, systems and the support of other key stakeholders.” CCC Secretary Lucille Sering mentioned during the LEDS Guidebook Workshop, “The use of the energy savings company under the Public-Private Partnerships is being hoped to be achieved. It is also hoped that President Aquino will declare at his State of the Nation Address to prioritize energy efficiency as part of the country strategy in low emission.” Government support to climate change initiatives, reporting of the Third Communication to UNFCCC, and private sector investments to clean energy are key elements to increasing the climate change resilience of the country. Over the remaining three to four years, the B-LEADERS project is expected to strengthen in-country capacity on low emission and increase investment into clean energy. Many important activities were carried out during this quarter. Notable accomplishments include, but are not limited to:
MOBILIZATION PHASE
• IRG submitted the Branding and Marking Plan incorporating the inputs/comments from USAID. IRG will use full branding and the USAID tagline “From the American People” on materials and communications. The options of Co-branding and no branding will only be considered on a case-by- case basis as considered appropriate by the Task Order Contract Officer’s Representative (TOCOR) and the Contract Officer (CO). B-LEADERS has a desired high level of visibility within USAID since the purpose of the project is to engage a broad audience, including the government stakeholders, civil society and private sector. • IRG submitted the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP), which consists of measures to be taken during the implementation and operation of any Project Activity to eliminate, offset, or reduce adverse environmental impacts. Also included in the EMMP are actions needed to implement them, including monitoring. The EMMP, as part of environmental compliance reporting, will be integrated as part of regular project reporting. The EMMP provides the framework to support USAID in effectively fulfilling its oversight and performance monitoring roles.
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 11 TASK 1 IN-COUNTRY CAPACITY ON LOW EMISSION DEVELOPMENT
• On May 12, B-LEADERS supported the NREL-led LEDS Guidebook Workshop to establish a four-part training series to help design a LEDS Guidebook. The workshop was attended by sector specific government agencies (e.g. CCC, NEDA, DOE, DENR, DOTC, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)). Key discussion points made during the workshop were the following: . The presence of a policy and fiscal environment has created inroads towards developing, planning, and implementing a LEDS in the Philippines. . Implementing mechanisms, infrastructure, and systems mandated by Photo 1. Representatives from government policies may help advance the planning agencies led by CCC Assistant Secretary (ASec.) Joy of LEDS in the Philippines. Goco provides insights on possible LEDS guidebook . Understanding the future demands of elements during the buzz session. Present were Asec. Raymund Acol and Dir. Jesus Tamang of energy, the limitations of resources, and DOE, Lemar Jimenez of DOTC, Julius Casabal of how these issues impact the future NEDA, Gigi Merilo, and Josine Divina of DENR, translate to a trade-off analysis that will Rose Sontillanosa of NAMRIA, and Sandee Recabar define possible mid- to long-term results and Harriet Tauli of CCC. in the Philippines. . LEDS planning must be informed by the assessing and learning experiences in the Philippines and region where threats need to be mitigated and opportunities seized for cooperation among donors, national and local governments and line agencies, private sector, and NGOs. . There is no accepted international methodology on how LEDS should be designed and what elements they should have. Since every country has its specific needs, LEDS should first of all country-driven. Critical elements of the LEDS guidebook have been identified. USAID/Philippines’ OEECC representatives Lily Gutierrez, Enrique Gallardo Jr. and Randy Vinluan provided critical inputs to the workshop. Annex 1 contains the documentation report on the LEDS Guidebook Workshop. • On June 2-6, B-LEADERS participated in and supported the regional and national workshops organized by the LEAD program on emission factors for stationary and mobile combustion sources. Participants from the energy sector inventory compilers from line ministries, and representatives from academia and research institutions involved, or responsible for identification and development of emission factors for stationary and mobile combustion source categories from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, attended and participated in the exercises to develop and apply country-specific emission factors to their National Communications. Participants learned how to identify and access sources of country-specific data, and performed practical exercises to encourage learning from other countries in the region and to establish an informal community of practice for ongoing technical collaboration. In addition, participants developed an action plan to replace default emission factors with country-specific
12 B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 emission factors for key source categories as part of an overall institutional capacity building objective.
Photo 2. MinDA-led workshop on assessing options for privatizing Hydroelectric Power Complex. • MinDA, with technical assistance from B-LEADERS, worked on evaluating possible options on privatizing the Agus-Pulangui Hydroelectric Power Complex. An integral part of the study was the identification and quantification of possible benefits and costs of different privatization options presented. The workshop involved MinDA’s technical working group from the Planning and Research, Finance, Formulation, Legal and Investments and Promotions and Public Affairs Office. An expected output of the workshop was a work plan which covers actions for moving forward for legal, technical, and regulatory aspects as well as the social, cultural, and political considerations of the options. A brief discussion on the background on power plants was presented by Michael Pitlock, B-LEADERS Project Consultant. The participants reviewed the Electric Power Industry Reform Act. Continuum options were discussed, including market share limitation. At the end of the workshop, timelines for the development and submission of the first draft of the study were identified. The documentation report is found at Annex 2. • B-LEADERS developed a framework on data MIS relying on standardized methodologies for data collection, management, and analysis. This framework on data MIS builds on the Philippines’ existing inventory methodology to address data gaps and institutionalized data management. The roadmap for establishing a National GHG Inventory MIS is proposed to be implemented in three phases. • On June 17, B-LEADERS supported NREL in the launching of the updated wind energy atlas and the GsT for the Philippines. The activity presented the latest developments in wind energy Photo 3. Ceremonial Turnover of the Updated Wind Atlas and the Geospatial Toolkit to the Government of the Philippines (Left to right: Jessica Katz and Mark Jacobson project development and the from NREL, Winston Bowman from USAID/Philippines, USec. Raul Aguilos, USec. GsT capacities as a policy tool Zenaida Monsada, and USec. Donato Marcos from DOE, and Arnold Belver from for DOE and CCC, guiding CCC).
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 13 them to achieve low-emission resilient growth. USAID/Philippines GCC Advisor Winston Bowman led in the ceremonial turnover of the GsT and Wind Reanalysis Products to DOE and CCC. DOE Undersecretary (USec.) Raul Aguilos acknowledged the initiatives of the CCC and EC-LEDS in making sure that the Philippines will have the best tools to work towards the promotion of clean energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Present during the session were DOE’s Undersecretaries Loreta Ayson, Donato Marcos, and Zenaida Monsada, and Director Jesus Tamang, together with officers from the Renewable Energy Management Bureau and CCC. Annex 3 contains the documentation report of the GsT Training and Wind Reanalysis. • On June 16-17, B-LEADERS assisted in the documentation of the workshops on institutional arrangements to develop GHG inventories for the Forestry and Energy sectors. The two separate sector- specific workshops were conducted and facilitated by USAID LEAD Program in support of CCC’s effort in developing national GHG inventories for future Philippine National Communication to UNFCCC. USAID/ Philippines’ OEECC representatives Lily Gutierrez and Oliver Agoncillo provided the updates on the EC-LEDS. Representatives from the Forest Management Bureau-DENR, NAMRIA, and DOE cooperated in defining their roles and responsibilities and specific timelines of processes required in preparing the national inventory, including data collection. The result of the workshops provided preliminary inroads Photo 4. Participating agencies during the Institutional Arrangements Workshop for Forestry Sector include the to structure and confidence in the CCC represented by Sandee Recabar, FMB-DENR, and inventory process. The documentation NAMRIA. reports of the institutional arrangements are found at Annexes 4 and 5.
14 B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 CROSS CUTTING ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES • On May 15, B- LEADERS led a Development Partners’ Meeting to synthesize development agency initiatives on low emission. The meeting was attended by representatives from the ADB, GIZ, EU, FDA, GGGI, JICA, NREL, WB, and UNDP. The initial coordination meeting paved the way Photo 5. USAID/Philippines OEECC Acting Director Joe Foltz welcomes the participants from development agencies during the Development Partners’ Meeting held at the B- for future discussions LEADERS office. Mr. Foltz recognizes the significance of working together and around agency collaborating on climate change and renewable energy related projects. collaboration. Annex 6 contains the documentation report of the meeting. • B-LEADERS supported Mayor Sabando of Roxas, Palawan in the preparation of a 10-minute presentation of the renewable energy micro-grid power system for the 9th ACEF. The presentation piqued the interest of the international community to visit and learn from the Green Island experience. • B-LEADERS supported the 5th annual convention of PLLENRO with the theme “Building Climate Resilient Local Government Units.” The gathering of over 200 environmental officers across the country became the venue for a healthy exchange of knowledge and experiences with focus on peer-to-peer training on developing baseline GHG inventory. USAID/ Philippines’ GCC Advisor Bowman delivered the Photo 6. Roxas Mayor Maria Angela Sabando proudly shares how public- keynote address and recognized the important roles the private partnership worked in Green environmental officers play as front liners in promoting Island, highlighting USAID’s support in resiliency. Bowman emphasized that the LGUs have putting up the Renewable Energy Micro critical and central tasks of building resilience whilst on grid power system. the frontlines for emergency response and long term recovery. He provided a brief overview of the various USAID projects that complement Philippine efforts to build resilient communities such as Be Secure, B+WISER and B-LEADERS. The PLLENRO annual convention was an effective vehicle for knowledge-sharing among the various LGUs and a medium for peer-to-peer capacity building. One of the significant highlights was the training/workshop on GHG inventory that was handled by a core team of PLLENRO officials and members who were capacitated by USAID in a previous project. In line with the mandate for LGUs to develop their respective local climate change plans, PLLENRO intends to equip their LGU members with the technical ability to develop an entity level GHG inventories gradually moving up to a community-wide GHG inventory.
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 15 • On June 9, B-LEADERS, CCC, and TEFI conducted a facilitators’ training- workshop for the staff of Bahay Kaalaman, which was composed of representatives from the City Government of Batangas and Batangas National High School (BNHS). City Mayor Eddie Dimacuha selected staff from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Cultural Affairs Office to be facilitators during school tours, local events, and high-level visits from partner agencies. Meanwhile, selected Photo 7. Pebbles Sanchez (left) of the CCC and Martin Morales BNHS faculty and staff who joined the of TEFI served as technical trainers for the basics of climate change and renewable energy. training workshop committed to help the LGU in promoting public awareness on climate change and renewable energy. They acknowledged the support of CCC, USAID and private partners. CCC discussed the basic information on climate change and CCC’s efforts in mitigation. TEFI’s Martin Morales introduced the different sources of renewable energy. B-LEADERS compiled all the learning materials into a module that can be used by the facilitators as a reference guide for the Bahay Kaalaman tour. Also present in the event were Dr. Craig Reed, Senior Vice President of Engility Corporation, who delivered the Welcome Remarks during the program. • USAID/Philippines’ Infographic Competition featured B-LEADERS’ winning entries of titled “Two Sides of Climate Change Action” and “It’s About Time! Understanding Electricity Pricing.” Through the support of its partners and the campaign conducted by the project staff, the number of registered Facebook “likes” for the two entries of B-LEADERS were 5,075 and 4,422 respectively, putting these in the top and second places.
Figure 1. B-LEADERS Project’s entries to USAID/Philippines’ Environmental Infographics Challenge.
16 B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 ACTIVITIES UNDER THE SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FUND
One of the project’s funding facilities to accomplish the project results is the B-LEADERS Special Activities Fund (SAF). The SAF is a subcontract facility required to be utilized to further strengthen Task 2 of the project and support its special outreach activities. The SAF amounts to US$750,000 to be dispersed within the implementation period of B-LEADERS. The Guidelines developed provide the framework on how the fund will be used, applied, monitored, and completed. This was done to ensure that the SAF will be equitably divided during the project period and to facilitate the management of funds.
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 17 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES The day-to-day work of project implementation was to lead and manage the application of the work plan of the B-LEADERS project. This task included managing people, creating Task 1 and Task 2 teams, completing other technical and administrative teams, and communicating with clarity the purposes of B- LEADERS to primary partners and other stakeholders. Within the quarter, the early success of project implementation was attributed to efficient management of people, issues, and internal controls. Even with the work plan in place, there were issues that challenged the project during its implementation. For example, the hiring of a Deputy Chief of Party and the LGU and Municipal Finance Specialist has not been fully realized. This may not have significantly impacted the project within the quarter, but with the forthcoming activities scheduled for completion within the remainder of Year 1, their contribution to the project will be critical. During the period, the Chief of Party was ready to apply resources to address and resolve issues that may have been affected by this delay. The COP worked in teams and was able to achieve the goals for the quarter as a result of the commitment, cooperation, and contributions of the staff on the B-LEADERS project. These were made possible by motivating team members, communicating vision, empowering staff, recognizing achievements, listening, leading by example, and building trust. The work plan, albeit needing further refinement, identified some concrete activities required to proactively manage all elements of the B- LEADERS project. These concrete activities were implemented during the project implementation for the quarter and included: • Acquired Project Staff – As part of the function of managing the team, the COP was clear on the systems for identifying staff candidates, interviewing candidates, identifying selection criteria, and making final selections of project staff. Staff job descriptions included the list of project duties, roles, and responsibilities for team members. Job Descriptions were created not only to be used to recruit, orient, and manage staff, but will be used to evaluate individual team member performance. • Documented Project Organization Charts – Project charts represent the reporting relationships among the project team. The COP presented the organization chart to the team on May 16. The chart is attached as an Appendix. • Developed Project Staff – The project staff participated in the 9th Asia Clean Energy Forum, Updated Wind Energy Atlas, and the Geospatial Toolkit and other conferences that were relevant to the project. • Established Team Communication Norms – Communications (via meetings, workshops, reports, Facebook page subject for USAID approval) were concretely planned and allowed the project team to share information, actively work to identify issues and conflicts, and interact creatively. IRG for the quarter successfully oversaw the valuable assets allocated to conduct the work of the project. To assist with this challenge, internal control systems were in place to provide reasonable assurance regarding the responsible use of project assets, such that USAID’s Administrative Assistant and B- LEADERS’ Project Assistant jointly conducted a Commodity Check on June 11, 2014.
18 B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 Internal controls in place for the quarter included the processes through which B-LEADERS’ resources were directed, monitored, and measured. This played an important role in protecting the project's resources. As a whole, internal controls were set up to comprehensively address the entirety of the support, administrative, and logistic systems required for successful implementation of the project. Other areas that benefited from internal controls include procurement (through IRG’s Visual Compliance Screening process), identification and tracking of inventory, managing relationships with partners, communications systems, travel authority guidance, and information management (i.e. creation of a public and shared drive within the B-LEADERS electronic network). In summary, the internal controls established within the quarter provided reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of the project’s objectives. These ensured efficient and effective operations in accomplishing the goals of the B-LEADERS project and still protect employees and assets.
B-LEADERS THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT, APRIL 1 – JUNE 30, 2014 19
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