Philippines

The Philippines ranks 7th in this year’s CCPI and remains an overall a high performer. The country receives mixed ratings in the four main CCPI categories: very high in Energy Use, high in GHG Emissions, medium in Climate Policy, and low in Renewable Energy.

Publication of the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP) was a major improvement in the Philippines in 2024. The CCPI country experts note that this finally provides concrete policies, measures, and strategies to be implemented to reduce GHG emissions. However, as the NDC heavily relies on funding from developed countries, the Philippines has yet to formulate a plan to mobilise such funding.

The National Adaptation Plan, the main adaptation strategy, was recently submitted to the UNFCCC. Internationally, the Philippines is also taking the lead in negotiations on loss and damage, hosting the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.

At the national level, the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) was released in 2024. This increases renewable energy targets to 35% by 2030, 50% by 2040, and over 50% by 2050, but includes nuclear power in the mix.

Coal Moratorium a Positive, but Natural Gas Not a Favourable Solution

The experts warn that some renewable energy projects, such as proposed wind farms in the Masungi Georeserve and Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park, could threaten biodiversity and natural heritage. Mining for energy transition minerals also poses risks to communities and ecosystems, especially in protected areas and indigenous ancestral territories.

The experts recognise the Philippines’ coal moratorium from 2020 as a step in the right direction, though they criticise the exemption of existing coal project proposals. The Philippines also remains committed to expanding its natural gas industry, framing this as a ‘transition fuel’ to replace coal. The PEP includes plans to phase out most gas-fired power generation by 2040.

The agricultural sector remains an issue in the Philippines, with one of the highest poverty rates for people working in it, which is a major factor in the difficulty of implementing sustainable agricultural practices. The CCPI experts emphasise that measures to address farmers’ needs and livelihoods must accompany the adoption of any climate-related agricultural policy.

The experts recommend that the Philippines secures additional climate finance to speed up NDC implementation. They also urge a clear long-term plan for natural gas, in the event of its expansion, so the Philippines will not be at high risk of carbon lock-in.

Key Outcomes

CCPI Experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

• John Leo Algo (Aksyon Klima Pilipinas)
• Jameela Joy Reyes (Manila Observatory)
• Angelika David, Janssen Martinez & Juan Miguel Torres (Institute for Sustainable Development Foundation)