By Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has drafted a carbon neutrality plan aimed at accelerating the region’s shift to clean energy while limiting global temperature rise, officials said on Monday.
The plan is intended to guide member states in aligning long-term development strategies with low-carbon pathways and emission reduction targets.
“We are all working on our long-term strategies towards low carbon development so that we will all be addressing the need to come up with mitigation measures,” Environment Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh told a livestreamed briefing ahead of the ASEAN Climate Week.
She said the framework is designed to help countries implement mitigation measures and support efforts to keep global temperature increases within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The 1.5-degree target was set under the 2015 Paris Agreement, which committed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the worst impacts of climate change.
The Philippines, which holds the ASEAN chairmanship, is targeting a 45% renewable energy share in its energy mix by 2040, Ms. Rebuelta-Teh said.
She said the country has yet to introduce initiatives under updated nationally determined contributions, but highlighted energy efficiency programs and renewable energy transition efforts as part of its climate strategy.
Environment Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna said the Philippines has already developed its 2026 to 2030 nationally determined contributions, underscoring a dual focus on emissions reduction and climate resilience.
“The ambition of our nationally determined contributions can only be realized through three critical pillars: first, robust policy frameworks that promote certainty; second, scalable technology that respects our local context; [and] third, innovative finance that bridges the gap between our needs and resources,” Mr. Cuna said.
He also said the Philippines continues to play a key role in climate financing discussions, including as host of the board of the loss and damage fund for countries vulnerable to climate impacts.
Mr. Cuna said the Philippines and Singapore have completed technical work under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, which allows voluntary cooperation in achieving emission targets.
“We unlocked new capital for projects, renewable energy and nature-based solutions, such as our critical blue carbon and reforestation initiatives,” he said.
The ASEAN Climate Week will focus on biodiversity, climate linkages, climate finance, loss and damage mechanisms, and climate risk modeling.
