Enviro News Asia, Mekati City — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), convened a forum in Makati City to strengthen greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement and reporting practices among private sector stakeholders as part of efforts to advance climate action in the Philippines.
The forum underscored the role of businesses in addressing climate change by adopting transparent, accurate, and standardized emissions reporting. Such practices were highlighted as critical to supporting corporate climate leadership, encouraging investment in low-carbon solutions, and contributing to national climate goals under the Paris Agreement.
Titled Quality GHG Measurement and Reporting towards Climate Responsibility and Market Leadership, the seminar was organized under the Partnership to Strengthen Transparency for Co-Innovation (PaSTI) and gathered approximately 200 representatives from private companies and business organizations. Discussions focused on how credible emissions data can shape mitigation strategies, support the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions, and prepare enterprises for climate-aligned policies, including the proposed Low Carbon Economy Investment Bill.
DENR emphasized that market leadership and climate responsibility are interconnected, with high-quality emissions reporting forming the foundation of long-term corporate climate planning. DENR Climate Change Service Director Elenida dR. Basug stated that climate action requires active private sector participation, noting that businesses play a key role in innovation, investment, and technology adoption within a supportive policy environment.
Participants examined global trends in GHG measurement, reporting, and emissions reduction, alongside investment opportunities across energy, transport, agriculture, waste, industrial processes and product use, and forest and land use sectors. The forum also addressed climate finance, carbon pricing mechanisms, sustainability reporting, and the use of credible emissions data to enhance corporate competitiveness.
During the event, DENR introduced a proposed facility-level GHG emissions calculation tool aimed at addressing gaps in standardized reporting and improving data availability. The science-based and user-friendly tool supports companies in generating consistent and comparable emissions data to inform mitigation strategies and future policy development. DENR stated that the tool will initially be used on a voluntary basis and refined through stakeholder feedback before possible integration into regulatory frameworks.
The calculator covers direct emissions from company operations and indirect emissions from purchased energy, while accounting for biogenic carbon dioxide emissions. It tracks major sources such as fuel combustion, electricity consumption, industrial processes including cement, lime, iron and steel, and glass production, emissions from refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, and industrial wastewater. The tool aligns with international standards, including the GHG Protocol and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines, and applies updated national grid emission factors.
Resource speakers included representatives from government agencies, the legislature, financial institutions, industry groups, and the private sector, reflecting broad multi-stakeholder engagement. The forum received support from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center of Japan, highlighting continued Japan–Philippines cooperation in promoting climate transparency and private sector participation. (*)
