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To tackle climate change, the (industrial) heat is on

By Julio Friedmann

CLIMATE CHANGE has become big news recently — and rightly so. Scientists have delivered important reports about its urgent dangers, political leaders have made pledges to fight it, and youth climate activists have marched in the streets and marked our consciences. This is all for the good. New ideas about electric vehicles, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and adaptation will enrich the conversation about climate action.

But one critical topic has received short shrift: industrial heat.

It’s not surprising. Most people have no experience with heavy industry — such as manufacturing cement, steel, fuels, chemicals, and glass — so they don’t know about its effects on the climate. But these processes generate 22% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with industrial heat alone releasing 10%. Despite the essential role it plays in the modern world, heavy industry has been conspicuously absent from the climate conversation.

If you care about climate, care about this.

Industrial products are essential to construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing, but making them requires a lot of heat — heat that emits more carbon dioxide than all the world’s cars and planes. And heavy industry is even further behind the transportation sector in developing alternative technologies. The ones that do exist are extremely expensive.

Many industrial processes start with melting rocks by burning fossil fuels. To make glass, for example, you melt sand and pour it on melted tin. This means hot, hot heat — high-quality and lots of it, ranging from 700 to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. And that heat is needed all day, every day, to run blast furnaces, boilers, and cement kilns.

Ending or even reducing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial heat is a conundrum. Few alternative processes make enough heat while being available on demand. Entrepreneurs and innovators have good ideas about how to eventually replace existing industrial heat emissions sources, but “eventually” is a bad business model in general, especially when the threats of climate change are so urgent.

But the situation isn’t hopeless. Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy took a detailed look at what could be done. My co-authors and I compared most of the available alternatives (nuclear, hydrogen, biofuels, and electrification) on the basis of viability, cost, and environmental effect. The research is in its early days, but a few findings are robust across sectors.

First, carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) is essential to reducing carbon emissions from heavy industry, especially cement and steel production. Our analysis shows it’s more affordable than almost any other option — far cheaper and more readily available than electrical heating or burning biomass.

Carbon capture also supports production of one of the most viable and versatile low-carbon fuels: hydrogen. Most hydrogen, 95% worldwide, is made by reforming natural gas and steam molecules at high temperature (which itself consumes lots of heat). It’s possible to capture 50% to 90% of the carbon dioxide from hydrogen production and keep it from the air and oceans forever. This is already being done commercially at four sites worldwide (soon to be six).

This low-carbon hydrogen, known as “blue” hydrogen, is available at scale and could make 4,000° Fahrenheit heat at many sites today. Doing so would drop emissions overnight. It would also create future opportunities for “green” hydrogen, made from zero-carbon electricity and water. As renewables get cheaper and more reliable, we can begin to swap green hydrogen in for blue hydrogen based on cost, performance, and carbon footprint.

One finding dominates our study: More and better options are required. This necessitates a massive innovation agenda around industrial decarbonization, starting with heat.

Thankfully, the subject is getting some attention. At a recent House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on industrial emissions, many members and all six witnesses (including me) called for an innovation agenda that specifically addresses industrial heat. Several bills in the House and Senate would create new authorities for large government R&D programs focused on heavy industry and its needs for high-quality, low-carbon heat.

Certainly, the United States can lead the world on this topic. The country has a strong record on innovation and enormous solar, wind, biomass and natural gas resources that provide low-cost feedstocks and abundant energy. Our tax credits and infrastructure can help put it in pole position internationally, as they did with the SunShot Initiative for solar energy and the Wind Production Tax Credit.

The work done to cut emissions from cars and power plants is inspiring, necessary, and not enough. Industrial heat is the next frontier, and the nations that lead this charge will have options and thrive in a carbon-constrained world. Those that don’t, won’t. It’s our call whether the US will lead here as we have before.

 

BLOOMBERG OPINION

Back pain forces Duterte to cut Japan trip short

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte cut short his trip to Japan because of “unbearable pain” in his spinal column after falling from a motorcycle last week, his spokesman said yesterday.

Mr. Duterte, 74, was scheduled to come home last night so he could see his neurologist today, presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement.

Mr. Duterte, was the oldest person to be elected president of the country, and his health has been the subject of speculations.

“While this was unforeseeable, the public can rest assured that there is nothing to worry as regards the physical health and condition of the president,” according to the statement.

The president was to miss the Japanese emperor’s banquet at the Imperial Palace last night and had requested Mayor Sara Duterte to represent him and attend on his behalf, Mr. Panelo said.

Mr. Duterte was able to attend the enthronement rites yesterday while carrying a cane to help him in his walk, he added.

The president earlier told the Filipino community in Russia during his visit that he suffers from an autoimmune disease that could potentially have serious complications.

Malacañang earlier this month said the illness was not serious and there was nothing to worry about.

The president had complained of not being able to sleep during his flight from Russia.

The condition “causes weakness in the skeletal muscles, which are responsible for breathing and moving parts of the body, including the arms and legs,” according to the US National Institutes of Health website.

Before his visit to Japan, there were no reports of Mr. Duterte receiving medical help after the accident since he appeared to be okay after the fall, according to a palace briefing last week.

There were different accounts of what happened during his accident. Mr. Panelo said Mr. Duterte had a minor fall from the motorcycle, while the Presidential Security Group said that there was a small mishap that happened while he took out the motorcycle out of the garage.

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll in December found that 66% of Filipinos were worried about Mr. Duterte’s health. — Gillian M. Cortez

19 Filipinos hurt in Rome road crash

NINETEEN Filipinos were hurt in an Oct. 16 road accident in Rome, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Philippine Embassy in Rome had reached nine of the road crash victims and was monitoring their condition, according to the statement. No one was “critically injured.”

Nine Filipinos were interviewed, all of whom said they had received immediate medical attention, DFA said, citing reports from Chargé d’Affaires, Candy S. Cypres-Bauzon. They also claimed to have suffered muscle trauma.

Three of them sustained wounds on the forehead while two had fractures on their shoulders and legs.

The embassy said none of the Filipinos involved were critically injured, based on doctors’ evaluation.

The victims were aboard a public vehicle when the accident happened in Via Cassia, north of Rome, according to media reports.

DFA also said the embassy was coordinating with Italian authorities looking into the road crash to determine its cause. “Latest updates will be provided, once they become available.”

The Embassy said it would give the needed assistance to Filipinos in Italy. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Trillanes denies kidnapping charges

FORMER opposition Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV asked the Department of Justice to dismiss a kidnapping complaint filed against him by a woman who accused him of abducting and forcing her to help bring down the Duterte administration.

Mr. Trillanes, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, submitted a pleading denying the allegations of Guillermina L. Barrido in the complaint filed by police in August. The woman claimed to have been forced by the ex-senator to slander Mr. Duterte.

Mr. Trillanes argued that the woman could not have been kidnapped since she was able to keep her mobile phone and was not bound while in the custody of her alleged kidnappers.

The former lawmaker also said Ms. Barrido had “willingly” joined when she was texted by priests from the convent where she would stay, telling her to bring some clothes while they wrote the affidavit against the president.

“She went with them willingly and it was clear that there was consent,” he told reporters after the preliminary investigation at the Justice department.

Mr. Trillanes also claimed in his pleading he had never met with her, adding that he was out of the country when the supposed meeting took place.

He called the allegations “pure, baseless and shameless lies and fabrications.”

Lawyer Jude Josue L. Sabio also submitted his affidavit, denying police claim that the judicial affidavit of Ms. Barrido in relation to the alleged murder of a man by then Mayor Duterte and his son Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte was “ready-made.”

Mr. Sabio said the woman’s 60-page affidavit against the presidential family was “a product of my arduous professional legal work on Barrido as a potential witness in a protracted, painstaking and meticulous process.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Duterte names new coast guard chief

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed the Philippine Coast Guard’s deputy commandant as its new chief, the agency said in a statement yesterday.

Vice Admiral Joel Sarsiban Garcia will start office on Oct. 24, the Coast Guard said, citing the letter of appointment signed by the president. He will replace Admiral Elson Hermogino, who is retiring.

Mr. Garcia is a graduate of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy and is a licensed master mariner.

He is the executive director of the National Coast Watch Center under the Office of the President and heads the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Governing Council, which is based in Singapore.

He earned his Masters of Science degree in Maritime Safety Administration from the World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden and Masters in Shipping Management from the Philippine Merchant Academy.

Mr. Garcia commanded capital ships from the navy and the coast guard, held key positions at the headquarters and led four coast guard districts, two functional commands and two major support commands, according to the statement.

“The command is very thankful to the president for choosing a visionary leader who cares for the welfare of his subordinates and is passionate in accomplishing the PCG’s mandates,” Coast Guard spokesman Captain Armando Balilo said in the statement. — Gillian M. Cortez

Recruiters ordered to comment on questions for Veloso testimony

THE COUNSEL of the accused recruiters of convicted drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso have been to comment on the proposed questions for the testimony of their alleged victim.

Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Anarica J. Castillo-Reyes gave the lawyer of Maria Cristina P. Sergio and Julius L. Lacanilao, recruiters of Ms. Veloso, five days to comment on the proposed questions of the prosecution for the written interrogatories of Ms. Veloso.

“Failure to submit the said comment shall be construed by the Court as non-objection to the proposed direct examination questions of the Prosecution,” the order read.

The Supreme Court on Oct. 9 affirmed the trial court’s decision allowing Ms. Veloso to testify through deposition by written interrogatories as part of her right to due process.

The counsel of the accused has submitted a motion to the RTC asking to defer action on its order for their comment, to allow them to avail any legal remedies over the SC’s decision.

Ms. Sergio and Mr. Lacanilao are being sued for human trafficking, illegal recruitment, and estafa in connection with the case of Ms. Veloso, who is currently in death row in Indonesia.

Ms. Veloso, who was arrested upon arrival in Yogyakarta for carrying 2.5 kilograms of heroin in her luggage, was sentenced to death in October 2010.

She was supposed to be executed on April 29, 2015, but was deferred following the surrender of her recruiters. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

CALAX ready for Nov. 1 long weekend

DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar (left) inspects the first segment of the Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CALAX) with MPCALA Holdings, Inc. Vice President for Tollways Design and Engineering Arturo H. Monge and DPWH-Private Public Partnership Director Alex G. Bote. Mr. Villar, in a statement from MPCALA, said the entry and exit points at Mamplasan in Biñan, Laguna and the Sta. Rosa–Tagaytay Road will be open by Oct. 30, in time for the Nov. 1 long weekend in observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.

DENR says low oxygen level caused fish death in Las Piñas-Parañaque

THE RECENT fish death in the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park was due to low concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the water, which may have been caused by heavy rains, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said. On Oct. 11, more than 5,000 kilos of dead fish were gathered in the area. In a statement, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said laboratory results from tests undertaken by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) show three of the four stations in the area did not conform to the water quality guideline (WQG) set for commercial fish propagation. Recent heavy rains may have led to low levels of dissolved oxygen “that caused the flushing of decomposed organic matter from the surface run-offs and inland water tributaries eventually polluting the open seas,” EMB National Capital Region Director Domingo M. Clemente said. The four stations also exceeded the WQG for fecal coliform, while traces of cyanide were also found in the stations. In a follow-up test on Oct. 14, water pollution measures showed improvements. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Peso weakens on profit taking

THE PESO slipped versus the dollar on Tuesday as the market pocketed gains from its recent rally.

The local unit closed at P51.18 against the greenback on Tuesday, weaker by seven centavos from the P51.105-per-dollar close on Friday.

The peso opened the session at P51.07 versus the dollar. Its weakest point for the day was at P51.245, while its intraday high was at P51.05 against the greenback.

Dollars traded on Tuesday grew to $1.396 billion from $1.103 billion on Monday.

A trader said that the peso’s weakness for the day was due to some flows.

Nag-bounce lang (The exchange rate just bounced). I guess there were some flows. Generally, the trade is still for improvement,” the trader said by phone.

He said that lower imports mean lower demand for the dollar.

“These factors continue to drive peso recovery as opposed to weakened peso expectations due to delayed spending from the government. Recent signs are pointing to government catching up on spending,” the trader added.

Another trader blamed the peso’s decline on profit taking after the unit’s climb last week.

“The market seems to be having a short position given the downward trading of peso,” the second trader added.

For today, the first trader expects the peso to range from P51.00-51.50 against the dollar while the second trader sees it moving around the P51.15-51.35 band.

Meanwhile, trade-exposed Asian currencies got some support on Tuesday from upbeat comments on the progress of US-China trade negotiations, but other units were capped by cautious investor sentiment.

Both the United States and China said talks on resolving their bitter trade war were progressing with White House adviser Larry Kudlow adding that tariffs scheduled for December could be withdrawn. — LWTN with Reuters

Trade optimism fuels bourse’s climb past 7,900

LOCAL SHARES increased on Tuesday as trading volumes improved and investors reacted on renewed hopefulness over the trade talks between United States and China.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) jumped 64.11 points or 0.81% to close at 7,955.24, while the broader all shares index advanced 30.36 points or 0.63% to end at 4,784.11.

“Global equities markets inched higher as investors remain optimistic on a fair deal between China and the US. Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said earlier today that any problem could be resolved if both sides respected each other… Here at the PSE, the main index ended higher on average trading volumes,” AAA Southeast Equities, Inc. Research Head Christopher John Mangun said in an e-mail.

Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan noted in a mobile phone message that “[s]hares traded higher today on stronger activity, boosted by optimism around US-China trade talks as well as the corporate earnings season.”

US President Donald Trump said talks on a prospective Sino-US trade deal were “coming along very well,” Reuters reported.

The development lifted major Wall Street indices, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite gaining 0.21%, 0.69% abd 0.91%, respectively.

Much of Asia followed suit: Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX by 0.25% and 0.41%, respectively, the Shanghai SE Composite by 0.5%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng by 0.23%, South Korea’s KOSPI by 1.16% and Singapore’s Straits Times index climbed 0.77%.

“Regional stocks also closed higher on gains by rotation into value stocks, despite fresh uncertainty as UK leader Boris Johnson was denied a parliamentary vote on his Brexit deal,” Mr. Limlingan added.

Only one sectoral index at home dropped: industrial, by 21.18 points or 0.19% to 10,668.93.

The rest picked up: mining and oil by 145.18 points or 1.63% to 9,016.60, holding firms by 100.62 points or 1.31% to 7,772.23, property by 21.01 points or 0.5% to 4,165.60, financials by 16.7 points or 0.89% to 1,873.51 and services by 0.3 points or 0.02% to 1,537.23.

Value turnover improved to 368.70 million shares worth P6.04 billion compared to Monday’s 403.79 million shares worth P3.35 billion.

“Trading volumes picked up today because of several cross trades done by a handful of brokerages. Selling pressure has been very light since last week which has allowed bargain hunters to have a bigger effect on price movements,” Mr. Mangun said. “If the index can sustain this momentum, we may see (the PSEi) break above 8,000 before the end of the week. However, profit-taking and an increase of selling pressure will take all gains back and test stronger support levels.”

Stocks that lost beat those that gained 94 to 85, while 61 others ended flat. Foreign investors turned bullish with net buying at P156.50 million from Monday’s net selling of P2.97 million. — Denise A. Valdez

Manila Hall of Justice eyed for completion by June 2022

THE SUPREME Court (SC) targets the completion of the P2.8-billion Manila Hall of Justice by June 2022. The project, with an area of over 10,818 square meters, consists of three interconnected buildings, including the Old GSIS building, a new one, and another for parking. It will house 120 courtrooms, three special court rooms, the Philippine Mediation Center, and archives, among other facilities. Currently, Manila courts are spread out in three locations. Associate Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, chair of the Halls of Justice Coordinating Committee for the City of Manila, said the funds for the project will be “coming from the judiciary’s own savings.” Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez said the budget reached P2.8 billion because the buildings are “environment friendly and green-certified.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Iloilo and Davao ramp up MICE marketing

By Emme Rose S. Santiagudo and Maya M. Padillo, Correspondents

A ROADMAP for the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) sector was launched in January 2018, providing a program for its development as a major contributor to the tourism industry.

Under the plan, MICE — listed in the National Tourism Development Plan as one of the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) priority products — is eyed to generate P24.4 billion by 2030, almost five times the P4.6 billion recorded in 2016.

Two cities, Iloilo in the Visayas and Davao in Mindanao, are aiming to be major players in the sector with their respective public-private alliances ramping up initiatives to become known as MICE hubs.

The two are vying to host next year’s Philippine MICE Conference (MICECON), which was held last year in Bacolod City and is on this week at the capital.

MICECON, organized by the DoT’s Tourism Promotions Board, is the biggest gathering of stakeholders with discussions on industry trends as well as marketing and sales opportunities. The 2020 host is expected to be announced Oct. 23.

ILOILO
Earlier this month, Iloilo formally launched its “Meet you in Iloilo” campaign, a P50-million program specifically targeted to promote the city as a MICE destination.

“Iloilo is primed to be the next convention center or MICE destination in the (Western Visayas) region. Iloilo has proven itself an ideal site or city for MICE growth, given the city’s seamless infrastructure, ranging from its gateways both airports and seaports to wide highways and modern business parks,” DoT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said during the launching ceremony.

“Iloilo has already successfully hosted both Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) events within the last four years as well as other local and regional medium to large-scale conventions,” she noted.

City Tourism Officer Junel Ann T. Divinagracia said MICE participants accounted for more than 50% of the 1.24 million total visitor arrivals in 2018.

Senator Franklin M. Drilon, one of the main movers in the development of the Iloilo Convention Center, said his hometown is ready to become a tourism and convention center outside the capital.

“We have been doing preparations for years and now this is a celebration of the efforts of both the public and the private sectors to really put Iloilo where it deserves to be. You spread out tourism not only in Manila but also outside, the provinces because we need to generate employment,” Mr. Drilon said at the launch.

The Meet you in Iloilo campaign will be under the care of the Iloilo MICE Alliance Core Group, composed of representatives from various tourism sectors.

“One thing we can assure you, when you put your meetings and incentives here in Iloilo City, we will come in and prepare and collaborate with you to provide you with seamless service,” said Cleofe C. Albiso, general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo and chairman of the MICE group.

Ms. Romulo-Puyat vowed support to the program, saying: “The DoT will see this campaign and program through supporting the leadership of the Iloilo MICE Alliance.”

DAVAO
In Davao, a MICE program with the slogan “Let’s Meet in Davao” was introduced by the DoT back in 2011, and the current Davao MICE Board is working to revive and strengthen this campaign.

Win or lose in the 2020 MICECON bid, City Tourism Operations Officer Generose D. Tecson said they are working closely with the MICE Board to grow the sector.

She said the city government is putting in P30 million into the program, which does not include the funding from the private sector and the DoT.

“We are going to strengthen our incentives that we are offering to those organizers who will hold their conventions here in Davao… there should (also) be an incentive for various sectors of the tourism industry, especially the accommodation sector,” Ms. Tecson said in an interview.

Ken V. Kapulong, general manager of Seda Abreeza and co-chair of the Davao MICE executive committee, said while they are facing very tight competition from Iloilo City and Clark, he believes Davao is has the overall capacity and capability to host big events.

“I think our best gauge is the preparedness and the capacity of the city,” he said, noting that MICE destinations is not just about convention facilities and accommodations, but also the auxiliary services as well as leisure activities and tourism sites that are on offer.

“We are optimistic because we’ve gone to other conventions in other parts of the country and we can say that we are very much at par if not some of our activities are better than how they are presented in other places,” Ms. Tecson said.