Filipino scientist pushes passive cooling study to cut energy demand in PH

• Pilot implementation of the passive cooling strategy (PCS) applied in a selected demonstration building inside a subdivision in Borey Chankiri, Cambodia. For the Demonstration Project, two model houses were selected—one as the baseline unit and the other as the PCS-integrated unit. The demonstration was done to test the effectiveness of the PCS, how much energy is saved, and how much greenhouse gases are reduced. (Photo from GlobalABC.org)

A Filipino scientist is urging the adoption of natural cooling techniques in the Philippines to help reduce rising energy demand, particularly during the hot and dry season, as cooling consumption continues to strain power systems.

Academician Filemon A. Uriarte Jr. of the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines is advocating for a local study on passive cooling strategies, citing successful implementation in Cambodia where cooling accounts for about 45 percent of electricity use .

Uriarte said the Philippines could benefit from replicating the project, which was piloted under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. The initiative explored how building design and natural processes can reduce heat without relying on energy-intensive systems like air conditioning.

Passive cooling strategies use natural mechanisms such as convection, radiation, and conduction to regulate indoor temperatures. These include optimizing building orientation, improving ventilation, using reflective materials, and incorporating vegetation to manage airflow and reduce heat gain .

“We just completed, very recently, a technical review of an almost a million-dollar project… and one of our recommendations… is to replicate this kind of project in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines,” Uriarte said, noting that passive cooling remains underdeveloped locally .

Tests conducted in Cambodia showed that adopting passive cooling techniques could significantly reduce energy use and emissions. The study estimates that widespread implementation could cut cooling-related emissions by at least 17 percent and reduce electricity consumption for cooling by up to 20 percent between 2030 and 2040 .

The project is also projected to deliver cumulative emissions reductions of nearly 3 million tons of carbon dioxide by 2035, highlighting its potential contribution to climate goals .

Uriarte presented the findings during the Luzon Regional Scientific Meeting organized by NAST PHL in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, where experts and policymakers gathered to discuss science-driven solutions for sustainable development.

The proposal comes as the Philippines faces increasing pressure to balance rising energy demand with climate commitments, with cooling emerging as a key driver of electricity consumption in tropical climates.