THE PHILIPPINES’ efforts to increase the share of renewable energy (RE) in its power generation mix compensates for the absence of a net zero commitment, according to the Department of Energy (DoE).
“We have a national target in a sense… We do not need to commit to any other country (regarding net-zero targets),” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said on the sidelines of the Philippine Net Zero Conference 2025 on Thursday.
“We decide ourselves what our targets are,” she added.
The Philippines is the only Southeast Asian country with no formal net-zero target.
Net zero refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to as close as zero while also offsetting any remaining greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The Philippines is a signatory to the Paris Agreement, a global treaty seeking to take action in arresting the warming of global temperatures to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while limiting any increase to 1.5°C.
The Philippines has promised to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), a climate action plan.
The NDC is part of the Philippines’ broader emission-reduction goals, alongside its target to increase the share of RE in the power mix to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
“We are confident that we can reach that because we have the green energy auction (GEA), green energy options, and renewable portfolio standards. The result of that is there is so much appetite for investors to get into renewable energy,” Ms. Garin said.
The first GEA, conducted in 2022 up to the latest round, which has yet been completed, promises a total RE capacity of 20 gigawatts.
Environment Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said the Philippines needs to demonstrate “credible, science-based climate actions that balance economic growth with environmental integrity.”
“Let us demonstrate that the Philippines, while contributing little to global emissions, can be a strong, proactive part of the solution. Let us show the world that credible, science-based climate action can coexist with competitiveness, growth, and social equity,” he said.
“The Philippines cannot afford to wait, as climate impacts, especially in our country, will not wait,” he added.
Allan V. Barcena, executive director of the Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA), said the group is focusing its decarbonization efforts on “future-proofing” businesses against the worsening climate crisis.
“We purposely focused on the business sector… to encourage other companies to join us in our decarbonization journey, not to be superheroes for the planet, but to future-proof our respective businesses,” Mr. Barcena said.
Launched in 2021, NZCA is a private-sector initiative aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera