Shell Helps Improve Philippine Air Quality

Shell companies in the Philippines (Shell) joined the government, non-government organisations (NGOs), academic institutions, civil society and private sector in the 5th Annual Clean Air Forum in the effort to speed up air quality improvements in the Philippines. The recently held forum was co-organised by the Partnership for Clean Air and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), with the support of Shell and GIZ.

With the theme, ‘Clean Air Act: Looking Back, Moving Forward’ the Forum reflected on the implementation of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and tackled improvements on structural reforms and strengthening policies for putting into practice better air quality solutions in the country.

Ramon J.P. Paje, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), remarked on the success of Philippine Clean Air Act in instituting partnerships for mitigating air pollution, by bringing together productive collaborations between all sectors of society that effectively help lower emissions and improve air quality especially in Metro Manila.

In response to the challenge of further improving Philippine air quality, Shell reinforced its commitment to diversify the Philippines’ energy mix by developing new energy sources and broadening its energy portfolio in the country with cleaner burning natural gas and offering a wider range of smarter products and concept lubricants for clean and efficient transport.  Aside from these, Shell is working to meet current energy supply and demand challenges with innovative technology and smarter mobility partnerships with consumers, government, and non-government organizations through driver education to promote energy efficiency and encourage customers to reduce their own carbon emissions.

“The conversation on clean air and care for the environment continues. This conversation can no longer be made in isolation, for it will be intricately linked to the energy challenge. Shell will continue to help the government in nation-building and power communities in the country in a more sustainable manner by developing new energy sources instead of reliance on traditionals, which is slowly being recognized as a viable solution. The country’s energy mix will change for the better, and hopefully, so will the environmental landscape,” said Roberto Kanapi, Shell Vice President for Communications.

Partnership for Clean Air

In 2012, Shell partnered with Clean Air Asia (CAI-Asia), the premier air quality network for Asia by the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and USAID, with Partnership for Clean Air as its country partner in the Philippines. Shell funded CAI-Asia’s Air Dispersion Modeling Study which involves a monitoring and assessment of the air quality in Metro Manila. It is an ongoing study that aims to set up the most viable guidance framework that identified a regional system for knowledge management, capacity building and support for governments and cities on air quality and greenhouse gas management.

Shell believes that a sustainable energy future, that which requires conservation of the environment and providing more, cleaner and smarter energy to power developmental needs, can only be achieved by working together. “As we celebrate the 14th year of the Philippine Clean Air Act, we are called to remember that partnerships between the public and private sector, between individuals, government, academe and civil society, will be crucial to its success in the coming years. We are called to appreciate how each of our actions and choices can have a profound effect on entire populations and future generations. Finally, we will continue to contribute to efforts to ensure that we all have a clean and healthy environment,” Kanapi said.

Mitigating the Impact of Energy

Andrew Kho, Shell Fuel Technical Advisor, presented the current steps that Shell is taking to respond to the challenge of mitigating the impact of energy on the environment.

One of Shell’s solutions is the introduction of second-generation biofuels, wherein these biofuels, instead of being extracted from crops, come from biomass residues such as stalks, leaves, stems, among others. Shell’s further investments in leading biotechnology companies help develop and commercialize second-generation biofuels.

Moreover, Shell has been providing customers high quality fuels and lubricants that help customers reduce their carbon footprint. Shell FuelSave Diesel is designed and formulated in keeping diesel injector nozzles clean, leading to a more efficient combustion and reduced smoke and carbon dioxide emissions. Shell FuelOil Plus likewise lowers carbon dioxide and soot emissions with its unique and enhanced combustion formula.

In meeting the Philippines’ growing energy demand, Shell has been conducting feasibility studies that look into the viability of constructing the country’s first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility that will provide more, cleaner burning natural gas to satisfy the country’s growing need for sustainable energy to fuel its progress. ###