While the new draft policy on renewable energy addresses a number of concerns raised over the topic, initiated in 2008, it comes with its own share of problems.
Particularly, there are a number of framework and recommendation level discrepancies that need to be addressed before this policy goes into effect. Of course, focusing on policy alone is not enough when it comes to energy as it is one arena where the government needs to take action immediately. But now is the time that we started to genuinely consider greener options in powering the future of our nation.
While the 2008 policy was mainly focused on factors such as emissions and energy security, the 2022 policy draft puts further emphasis on efficiency, sustainability, affordability, and others -- a good sign to be certain.
However, at the end of the day, there is still an issue of implementation. It is important to note that due to the proper implementation of the 2008 policy, rising costs of energy have to be borne by the general public even when government subsidies have increased.
As such, aside from policy level improvements, greater emphasis needs to be put on proper implementation. Oversight committees have to be set up with the authority to periodically audit activities related to implementation with the ability to make changes as necessary.
Attention has to be paid to budget allocation and usage, as that is an area that the authorities particularly struggle with -- across all kinds of industries.
No matter how we look at it, the future is green. To make sure it doesn't take us by surprise, we have to do everything we can to ride that wave as early as possible.
