MAKATI CITY — The Net-Zero Carbon Alliance, a private sector-backed initiative, urged more companies to advocate sustainable actions to reach zero gas emissions by 2050.
This year, 13 new partners from the private sector joined the NZCA and have vowed to adopt individual strategies and goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions aligned with national and global efforts to combat climate change.
“But it is not just about being a NZCA partner. There has to be a commitment from them to put into action what they have signed up for,” said Frances Ariola, NZCA lead convenor and Corporation Communications head of the Energy Development Corp.
“We are not in a hurry to grow big because we realize the responsibility and the scope” of being a NZCA member-partner,” Ariola added.
EDC, the 100 percent renewable energy subsidiary of the First Philippine Holdings (Lopez) Group, launched the multi-sectoral movement three years ago “to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future”.
“It also requires manpower and resources to organize and sustain the alliance. Probably we need to grow the alliance in terms of the quality of the partners as well as the ability to influence government,” said Allan Barcena, NZCA executive director and EDC assistant vice president.
Barcena sounded the call for the Philippines to set a national net zero emissions goal while noting that the country has a Nationally- Determined Contribution to cut its emissions by 75 percent.
On its third anniversary this year, at least three of its 12 original partners have reported results in low carbon emissions, verified by third-party firms.
The NZCA officials, however, said the reports vary depending on each company’s targets and goals, best practices, and other capacity-building tools.
Barcena said many of its partner companies and organizations are based in Manila, a few are outside of the National Capital Region such as Silliman University.
NZCA officials said they hope to expand to regional centers, and conduct roadshows.
The NZCA also partners with the government through the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, the Climate Change Commission, and other entities to help the Philippines reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through 2050.
Government officials have highlighted the role of the private sector, specifically the NZCA initiative, in meeting the Philippines’ climate action plans/goals to decarbonize, and transition to a green economy saying the government cannot do it alone. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
