Climate Change Commission Deputy Executive Director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca presented the CCC's plans and priorities for the years 2023-2027 at the "Carbon Emission Reduction: What Can We Do?" event organized by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines

MANILA, 20 May 2023 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) highlighted the important role of private sector in accelerating just and equitable transition towards low-carbon, sustainable development by means of investment-led climate action.

In the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines’ (AmCham) “Carbon Emission Reduction: What Can We Do?” forum, the CCC presented the Philippine government’s plans and priorities on climate change, to guide climate investments from private and business sectors.

“The Philippine government, through the Climate Change Commission, is ramping up whole-of-government, whole-of-society, and whole-of-world approaches in addressing climate change,” CCC Deputy Executive Director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca said.

He added, “Towards more collective and transformative climate action, the CCC further strengthens its collaboration with sectors and stakeholders, including private and business sectors, to catalyze climate investments.”

Guided by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr., the CCC’s priorities include the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) formulation, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) implementation, and Long-term Strategy development.

These priorities are anchored on policies set forth by the Commission, including the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change and its National Climate Change Action Plan, the National Climate Risk Management Framework, and ongoing work on Green Jobs and of the Interagency Task Force on Sustainable Finance.

Cognizant of the crucial role of various sectors in further advancing climate action, the CCC established a contact group, ‘CONNECT: Communicating Opportunities to Network, Navigate, and Explore Climate Transformation,’ composed of private sector partners. It creates a venue to discuss potential collaborations on specific climate issues.

“The CCC continues to build and strengthen ties with key sectors and stakeholders, so we can collectively advance our pace and level towards national climate resilience,” CCC Deputy Executive Director Cuenca said.

He added, “Let us work together to find climate solutions that are sustainable, innovative and transformative, and ensure implementation and deployment of these solutions through adequate and quality climate investments.”

One focus area for decarbonization is the power sector. In the World Bank Group’s Philippines Country and Climate Development Report, it was estimated that Php 3.4 trillion pesos of investments are needed for power sector decarbonization.

During the event, AmCham members showcased sustainability and decarbonization solutions being implemented by various multinational companies and enterprises in the country, including in areas of energy, transport, and industries.

Present were representatives from Unilever and Mondelez, members of Net Zero Carbon Alliance, professional services firm Deloitte, and local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which shared strategies on carbon emissions reduction and transition to cleaner, more sustainable business practices.

For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit the CCC website at https://climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.