Green and Blue Economy Frameworks: Legal Insights for Sustainable Development
The frameworks of blue and green economy integrate sustainability into all aspects of economic activity by promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, waste reduction, among others.[1]
These investments aim to reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhances energy and resource efficiency, and protects biodiversity and ecosystem services. Law firms specializing in green economy regulations and policy advisory play a key role in guiding stakeholders through complex environmental legislation, ensuring compliance with sustainability standards, and facilitating the transition to low-carbon, resource-efficient economies.
The concept of a green economy is vastly linked to the term “sustainable development” and its involvement in economic policies and practices, a focus that law firms specializing in environmental and energy law closely monitor. Later, as governments searched for ways to sort through energy, food, and financial global crises, the scope of this economy was expanded to include not just a single country’s environmental policies, but to take on global issues such as climate change, deforestation, wildfires, ozone depletion, and so on. By enlarging the scope of these green economies, they would promote international cooperation amongst countries and adopt the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development agenda. In this type of economy, growth in employment and income is driven by public and private investment into such economic activities, infrastructure, and assets that allow reduced carbon emissions and pollution, enhanced energy and resource efficiency, and prevention of the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.” The green economy operates at the macro-economic level and strives toward sustainable economic growth by focusing on resource management and investments, employment rates, and inflation.[2]
The idea of “blue economy” or an “ocean economy” stems from the idea to link the notions of conservation and sustainability, only this time in relation to the ocean and marine creatures living in it. The main goals of the blue economy are to recognize the value of the essential capital as a basis for a healthy marine environment, to maintain growth, and foster as well as promote “blue” business and jobs. A blue economy should also promote alternative sources of renewable energy, manage, and enhance resource efficiency and deal with scarcity issues, and accompany these objectives with the necessary technical equipment and knowledge to achieve them.[3]
A blue economy also aims to promote alternative sources of renewable energy, manage and enhance resource efficiency. To achieve these objectives, it is essential to deploy the necessary technical equipment and knowledge, areas in which law firm’s advice on the legal implications of technological innovations, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property rights for marine-based technologies.
Legal Guide to Offshore Wind Energy in the Philippines
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2024-02 provides the guidelines for Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for Offshore Wind (OSW) energy projects. These guidelines promote economic growth, social inclusion, improving livelihoods and ensuring sustainability of the oceans and coastal areas essential to achieve blue and green economy for the country. The guidelines ensure that OSW development is done in the most environmentally sustainable manner possible.[4]
In a recent development, however, the Philippine Government is seeking to fast-track the development of offshore wind projects in the Philippines, aiming to deliver power from these by 2028 by further streamlining permit processing.[5] The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) signed an agreement on October 04, 2024 to provide renewable energy producers access to offshore areas that can be explored for wind power production.[6]
This memorandum of agreement (MOA) between DOE and DENR will allow offshore wind energy developers with service contracts to access offshore and auxiliary areas during the pre-development phase of their project. Previously, renewable energy projects are required to secure various compliance certificates from DENR before proceeding with exploration and development.[7]
Legal Expertise
Abo Law Firm handles various registration and compliance complexities with the Philippine Government. With in-depth knowledge of the regulatory framework and procedural requirements laid out by key government agencies, the firm is well-equipped to offer strategic legal counsel. As renewable energy rapidly emerges as a cornerstone of the future energy landscape, securing legal experts familiar with the intricacies of energy law, permitting, and licensing is essential for investors seeking to capitalize on opportunities in the Philippine renewable energy market. Abo Law Firm ensures that clients are fully compliant with environmental regulations, energy policies, and industry standards, while effectively navigating the legal complexities of renewable energy project development. Whether advising on government approvals, foreign investment regulations, energy sector contracts, or renewable energy incentives, Abo Law Firm stands as a trusted partner for businesses looking to establish a strong foothold in the growing renewable energy sector. As Renewable Energy is indeed the future, it is vital to secure experienced lawyers in the Philippines to be of guidance to future investors who intend to enter the Renewable Energy scene.
[1] https://nrcp.dost.gov.ph/navigating-the-philippine-blue-and-green-economy/
[2] https://sinay.ai/en/how-can-we-define-the-difference-between-blue-and-green-economies/
[3] Id.
[4] Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 2024-02, 18 January 2024.
[5] https://www.bworldonline.com/corporate/2024/10/07/626084/doe-denr-grant-rights-to-access-offshore-areas-for-energy-devt/
[6] https://business.inquirer.net/483751/doe-denr-enter-into-an-agreement-to-promote-offshore-wind-projects#ixzz8r8Q3hmB4
[7] https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234881
