Young climate leaders energized the push for a just energy transition in the Philippines at a recent panel discussion.

“Renewable energy is not just about clean power — it’s about justice,” Aya Tamayo, campaign project manager at Good Energy, said. She highlighted how renewable energy intersects with broader social issues, setting the tone for the discussion.

Building on this, Krishna Ariola, climate activist and convenor of Youth for Climate Hope, emphasized the systemic change required for a just energy transition. She said, “This isn’t just an energy shift; it’s a system overhaul. We need to center the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis and ensure that no one is left behind in this transition.”

“Hindi magkakaiba ang laban ng LGBT, ng kababaihan, ng manggagawa sa laban ng kalikasan (The fight for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and labor rights is no different from the fight for the environment). We can’t separate climate action from addressing systemic inequalities — it’s all part of the same struggle,” Cheng Pagulayan, climate justice portfolio manager at Oxfam Pilipinas, said.

The way people tell stories can inspire action, dismantle misinformation, and help build a coalition strong enough to drive the just energy transition, Tamayo added.

“We’re not just fighting for renewable energy; we’re fighting for a world where everyone thrives. The time to act is now,” he concluded.