What are the projected benefits?
The project will significantly reduce pollution caused by mass transport and solid waste in the pilot areas. By converting organic waste from the city’s wet markets and commercial food establishments into biogas to generate electricity for transport, the following environmental benefits are achieved:
a.reduction of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the release of methane gas from open dumpsites;
b.reduction of air pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide produced by the operation of diesel-engine jeepneys;
c.containment of leachate that contaminate ground water aquifers and waterways;
d.displacement of fossil fuel with the use of methane collected for electricity production;
e.treatment of organic waste of its pathogenic and toxic materials; and
f.improved local air, health and safety.
GRIPP expects a scaling up of the project and replication in key cities in the Philippines as well as in Asia by proving that it is not impossible to link the twin objectives of climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
As the project demonstrates a major opportunity to actually replace old, polluting diesel-based jeepneys with more competitive, cleaner and highly efficient electric jeepneys and promote biogas facilities as a viable energy source, enhancement of renewable energy policies, widespread technology diffusion, and the catalyzing of commercial investments in clean energy technologies are also expected.