Approaching waste management sustainably through community-led climate action
by Jessa Margallo-Zosa Editor’s Note: Jessa currently serves as the RE-Charge Pilipinas Facility Coordinator at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, based in the organization’s regional office in Tacloban City, Leyte. I just returned to Tacloban City from my first international trip to Thai Nguyen, Vietnam where I participated as a delegate to the Thai Nguyen International Climate Change Conference, held October 14-15, 2025 at the Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF). The event convened over 150 participants from local and international organizations, scientists, environmental experts, and members of the academe. This was organized by Brot [...]
The Road to Renewables: Turning Vision into Local Action
By Mel Matthew Doctor Note: Mel currently serves as the Senior Campaign Officer for Energy Policy at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and was acting project lead of the 2025 Road to Renewables: Conversations on Energy Transition Roadshow. During one of the focus group discussions in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, one participant said, “Energy is not just about power—it is about opportunity, resilience, and the future we choose to build for our communities.” This quote struck me during the roadshow because the energy transition is not just policy—it is about real change in people’s lives. Across the [...]
Sustainable energy is not a privilege, but a right for all
by Charisse Maxine Parchamento Editor’s Note: Cha is a Campaigns and Advocacy Officer of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, focused on energy policy. In my job interview for ICSC, I introduced myself with a precaution: I have limited knowledge and experience in the renewable energy (RE) sector, and it might take some time for me to become confidently familiar with it. My then-interviewers (now, colleagues) assured me that I’d learn about it in the process of working with the Energy Policy Team, and implementing its RE advocacy initiatives. I felt scared and unsure because I [...]
Learning Drives us Forward on the Road to Renewables
by Miguel Joachim Balburias Editor’s Note: Mojie currently serves as a Data Analyst with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities’ Energy Policy team. You have nothing to prove, but everything to learn. This was something my college mentor used to tell me all the time. It grounded me then, but I somehow forgot it when I entered ICSC. As this was my first job, I felt a heavy pressure to prove my worth. This feeling grew even stronger when, less than a month in, I was asked to join the Iloilo leg of the CASE Road [...]
This Fellowship Reminded Me Why I Chose Journalism
by Sanaf Marcelo Editor’s Note: Sanaf is ICSC’s Senior Communications Officer for Media and Events, who also served as project lead for the latest run of the Jaime Espina Klima Correspondents Fellowship which concluded in March 2025. Prior to joining ICSC, Sanaf worked as a journalist and media practitioner with experience spanning radio, mainstream, and alternative media. Leading the Jaime Espina Klima Correspondents Fellowship has not only brought me closer to the work I once did, it has reminded me why I chose journalism in the first place. As someone who spent years chasing stories from the ground, [...]