Readiness Before Resources? Why Enabling Conditions Matter for Local Climate Finance
by Jonas Brian Almendrala Editor’s Note: Jonas currently serves as the Manager for Urban Development at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, supporting partner cities in their climate-readiness projects under the Urban-Act Project. Our usual conversations and discussions on climate finance usually deal with questions on knowing how much money is available, where it can come from, how quickly it can be mobilized, and most importantly, how can we access it? These are important questions. But for many Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Philippines, the issue is not only the availability and access of climate [...]
ICSC delves into PHL energy emergency: Renewables are key to transforming country’s energy system from import dependence
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities ANALYSIS QUEZON CITY, 30 March 2026 – The Philippines’ declaration of a national energy emergency under Executive Order No. 110 highlights a long-standing reality that can no longer be ignored: heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels exposes the country to global supply and fuel price volatility. The situation also puts the spotlight on the clear and massive opportunity to transform the energy system for our archipelago with locally driven, fit-for-purpose solutions that optimize the abundance of renewable energy (RE) resources with available technology, building a more affordable, reliable, and secure power system for [...]
ICSC: Meralco-Sta. Rita contract risks continued exposure to rising LNG power costs
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities [ANALYSIS] ICSC: Meralco-Sta. Rita contract risks continued exposure to rising LNG power costs QUEZON CITY, 26 January 2026 –– As the one-time interim extension of the power supply agreement (PSA) between Meralco and First Gen Sta. Rita near its end, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities highlights the need for a more thorough and careful planning process for future power procurement, as the reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) has led to rising electricity costs that are shouldered by Filipino households and businesses. The PSA extension to operate until January 31 [...]