Philippines unveils ambitious but uneven climate pledge for 2025-2035
The Philippines released an updated Nationally Determined Contribution aiming to cut emissions by 75% between 2025 and 2035, but funding gaps and weak fossil-fuel policies raise concerns.
On September 8 the Philippines published its revised NDC, committing to a 75% cut in greenhouse-gas emissions from 2025 to 2035, of which 7% can be achieved without external support. The pledge emphasizes energy efficiency, reforestation and other nature-based solutions, yet the budget for these measures is dramatically smaller than spending on roads and bridges, falling short of ASEAN benchmarks. The article argues that the country must accelerate its shift away from coal, noting recent easing of the coal moratorium and rising electricity costs.
It also highlights a lack of transparency on the implementation of the 2021 NDC and calls for clearer cost assessments. The author stresses that despite limited resources, the Philippines must prioritize sustainable development and secure international financing to meet the 1.5°C climate goal.
