ALBAY, PHILIPPINES — Climate justice advocates, international delegates, and local leaders gathered on August 6, 2026, for the Albay Just Transition Conference, organized by the Albay Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA), the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), and the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) to amplify calls for a democratic and equitable sustainable future.
The conference featured key presentations from Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) and convenor of the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice, alongside Chadli Sadorra from APMDD’s Climate and Energy Unit. Discussions centered on the imperatives of a Just Transition, the Global Mechanism on Just Transition, nature-based approaches, government roles in transition programs, and takeaways from Santa Marta, Colombia’s global transition away from fossil fuels.
Stressing the urgency of the shift, Nacpil stated, “The transition must be rapid, as the window of time left is narrowing while there has been a huge delay in action.” Emphasizing that efforts and benefits must be shared fairly based on historical responsibilities, she asked, “Who is responsible for historical greenhouse gas emissions, and who must be responsible for actions moving forward?”
Adding to the institutional perspective, Sadorra noted, “The Just Transition Mechanism gives an institutional home for Just Transition. The whole point of a global mechanism is to enable just transition, address barriers and challenges faced in achieving this transition.”
Concluding the conference milestones, Lidy Nacpil of APMDD and Ian Rivera of PMCJ presented the Renewable Energy (RE) Roadmap for the Province of Albay to Governor Noel Rosal following his session on unlocking RE pledges, finance mobilization, and contract signing for local government units’ (LGUs) priority RE projects.
(Photos: Jason Valenzuela / Red Sierra)