Dubai, UAE – On Nature, Land Use, and Oceans Day of the UN climate talks, the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) and Protect VIP highlighted the role of the fossil fuel industry in jeopardizing key biodiverse areas such as the Verde Island Passage in the Philippines and Southeast Asia’s Coral Triangle.

In a press conference, sustainability think-tank CEED and Protect VIP, a coalition of organizations advocating for the protection of the Verde Island Passage (VIP), illustrated the case of the VIP which is the hub of the fossil gas boom in the Philippines despite its global significance due to its biodiversity. 

“Fossil fuels pose an imminent threat to our ocean which is the lifeblood of our planet. Continuing down the path of fossil fuel reliance endangers not just our oceans but the intricate web of life they support. The VIP alone plays a pivotal role in supporting the livelihoods, tourism, and transportation of more than two million residents across five provinces and its valuable waters’ ability to regulate climate change. The imperative lies in keeping fossil fuel activities away from these vital biodiversity zones, said CEED Executive Director Gerry Arances citing a new paper released by CEED scoping the state of the ocean-climate-food nexus. 

The new report also raised caution about the status of the Coral Triangle confronted with the threat of more fossil fuel development as it is covered by Southeast Asia (SEA), a region set to be the second biggest liquified natural gas (LNG) import hub in the world, with over 117GW of proposed gas power capacity. 

Findings from a report show that Indonesia is at the forefront of the increasing gas pipeline and power plan initiatives in SEA, accounting for 65% (12 out of 25 total projects) of the new gas pipeline projects in the region. Malaysia, another SEA country, is the leading LNG exporter in the region with three key facilities in close proximity to the Coral Triangle. 

“The paradox is stark: biodiverse gems at the epicenter of a fossil fuel buildout. This epitomizes the critical crossroads we face—the clash between preserving invaluable ecosystems and succumbing to fossil fuel expansion. Preserving our oceans isn’t just an environmental concern; it’s a moral imperative, essential for sustaining livelihoods and curbing climate impacts. Let us heed the call to protect and nurture our oceans, ensuring a bountiful future for generations to come,” said Father Edu Gariguez, Goldman Prize Awardee and Protect VIP convenor. 

Civil society representatives give their takes: 

Nithi Nesadurai, Director and Regional Coordinator, CANSEA

“The Coral Triangle region, plays a critical role in biodiversity protection, ocean-based livelihoods, and climate adaptation and mitigation. Instead of further threatening these important ecosystems with more oil and gas development, we should be doing more to protect and restore them.

Nikki Reisch, Director of the Climate and Energy Program, Center for International Environment Law, 

“The fossil fuel industry’s relentless pursuit of profits is wreaking havoc on our oceans, with deep-sea drilling, a massive build-out of fossil gas LNG infrastructure, and a booming shipping trade in dirty energy. On top of that, companies are now looking to dispose of their carbon waste beneath the ocean floor through offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS). This reckless approach poses a grave threat to all of us. To prevent further climate catastrophe, we must accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels, emphasizing equity and justice. Nothing less will safeguard the climate and the ocean ecosystems that sustain life on this planet.”