Exploring the nexus between renewable energy, climate and disaster risk reduction, and land use planning: The case of Paete, Laguna, Philippines

Department of Community and Environmental Resource Planning, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Renewable energy presents a plausible strategy for empowering communities by achieving energy self-reliance and security while ensuring balanced economic growth and environmental protection amidst global climate change, such is the case in the Philippines, as iterated in the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. However, such an option creates debate concerning food security, environmental protection, and sustainable development. The study delves into scrutinizing the policy guidelines on balancing wind energy development and protection of the natural landscape through the zoning ordinance of Paete, Laguna, linked with land use planning efforts in lieu of climate and disaster risk reduction and management, and renewable energy production. Results show that dialogues, participatory mapping, land use planning efforts, including Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment and community-led zoning, may allow the proper mix of policy regulations and stakeholder participation and accountability, all towards achieving sustainable development. It exemplifies the interconnectedness and challenges of linking renewable energy and sustainable energy through the sustainable development planner triangle lens, where community conflicts and challenges arising from development may present solutions towards sustainable development. All these are integrated into the study recommendations aligned to the local zoning that other local governments may adopt.