Filipino lighting innovation given award during climate meet

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A Filipino innovation that provide electricity-free light was one of the climate change mitigation and adaptation projects awarded during the launching of the Momentum for Change Initiatives in Durban, South Africa last December 6, 2011.  

The solar bottle light project of Illac Diaz, Pilipino Social Entrepreneur and founder of My shelter Foundation, was cited as a good approach to climate change mitigation as it lessen dependence on fossil fuel-fired power generating plants.

Climate Change Commission Vice Chair Mary Ann Lucille L. Sering congratulated Diaz for the UN recognition and prodded him to make the technology available to most Pilipino homes, especially the poor.

Sering also said that one of the strategic priorities of the Commission to fight climate change is the search for alternative, renewable sources of energy for lighting, for instance.  

The launching of the Momentum for Change was one of the highlights of the just-concluded UNFCCC COP 17 (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties 17) held from November 28 to December 9.

Momentum highlights innovative, replicable, on-the-ground projects that help to mitigate or adapt to climate change while at the same time directly benefiting people.  It offers an excellent opportunity to learn about international efforts and partnerships to address the challenges of climate change for water, food and energy security and health.

United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon was the event’s guest speaker.  Also present during the launching was South Africa President Jacob Zuma.

The solar bottle light, which is being implemented by the Foundation, started as an energy-saving supplemental light in classrooms in Laguna but was then modified and applied to surrounding communities. Today, the project has expanded to more than 15,000 solar bottle bulbs in 20 cities and provinces, benefiting more than 200,000 families.

It aims to reach 1 million beneficiaries by 2012.

The project is a zero carbon emitting solar lighting project that is being implemented around different cities in the Philippines by MyShelter Foundation.

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Photo courtesy of ENB/ IISD RS
Photographer: Franz Dejon