Hundreds of Filipinos and other Southeast Asians marched today towards the venue of the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit to demand their leaders to end all coal projects and commit to renewable energy [1].

Anti-coal communities, survivors of climate impacts, environmentalists, human rights groups and other advocates assembled at Liwasang Bonifacio then trooped towards the Philippine International Convention Center, but were blocked by anti-riot police at Rizal Memorial Stadium, a kilometer away from the venue. The marchers brandished placards and giant hands with “no to coal” written in major Southeast Asian languages, as well as white pinwheels symbolizing clean energy.

Activists are met by a throng of policemen as they try to march towards the venue of the Association aof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Manila on April 28, 2017 to demand their leaders to end all coal projects and commit to renewable energy. Southeast Asia remains a global coal hotspot despite drastic reductions in renewable energy costs and the region's vulnerability to climate change. (Photo: RB Ibañez/350.org)

Activists are met by a throng of policemen as they try to march towards the venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Manila on April 28, 2017 to demand their leaders to end all coal projects and commit to renewable energy. Southeast Asia remains a global coal hotspot despite drastic reductions in renewable energy costs and the region’s vulnerability to climate change. (Photo: RB Ibañez/350.org)

ASEAN released a joint statement [2] last year recognizing the region’s vulnerability to climate change but also the need to scale up commitments to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change impacts. Southeast Asia remains a global coal hotspot, however, despite these and the drastic reduction in renewable energy prices.

“Coal is projected to have the highest share in Southeast Asia’s energy mix by 2040, with the share of coal in power generation rising from 32% to 50%, contrary to the trend seen in most other parts of the world,” the marchers said in a statement [3], citing figures from the International Energy Agency. They said it was contradictory to the commitments of the ASEAN governments through the Paris Agreement to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Activists are met by a throng of policemen as they try to march towards the venue of the Association aof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Manila on April 28, 2017 to demand their leaders to end all coal projects and commit to renewable energy. Southeast Asia remains a global coal hotspot despite drastic reductions in renewable energy costs and the region's vulnerability to climate change. (Photo: RB Ibañez/350.org)

Activists are met by a throng of policemen as they try to march towards the venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Manila on April 28, 2017 to demand their leaders to end all coal projects and commit to renewable energy. Southeast Asia remains a global coal hotspot despite drastic reductions in renewable energy costs and the region’s vulnerability to climate change. (Photo: RB Ibañez/350.org)

The marchers also recognized that 120 million Southeast Asians have no access to electricity, which is why they call for more investments in solar, wind, and other renewable sources of energy which are cleaner, abundant across the region, and will employ more people.

Notes to the editor

  1. Photos from the march can be found at http://bit.ly/2oOGNCM (Credit: 350.org/RB Ibañez)
  2. http://asean.org/storage/2016/11/ASEAN-Joint-Statment-on-Climate-Change.pdf
  3. Quotes from spokespeople across Southeast Asia can be found at http://bit.ly/2oOVm8B
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