Gov’t needs to enforce all-binding net-zero plan, says exec

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The government is urged to come up with a legal framework ensuring companies in the Philippines will strive—all at the same time—to achieve a goal of net-zero emissions.

“A lot of what we do today is voluntary because we do not have a framework that is legally binding and compelling everybody to get to a certain level immediately,” Holcim Philippines chief sustainability officer Samuel Manlosa said during the Net Zero 101 Media Training held by the Net Zero Carbon Alliance last week.

“What we need is a policy to get everybody [on] the same page and that’s currently absent,” he added.

Manlosa said one of the items the government can take on is carbon pricing, one of the mechanisms aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The system usually levies a fee on a company for every greenhouse gas it releases into the atmosphere.

“Everybody needs to arrive at net zero almost together—me, the same businesses, my suppliers, partners—absent that, it is difficult to achieve the targets,” he added.

Manlosa admitted, however, that coming up with a system is no easy task.

“In fairness to the government, we are working on it but given the complexities of the potential economic damage, repercussions at all levels, it can’t be rushed,” he added.

The government seeks to slash economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent for the period 2020 to 2030 under its updated Nationally Determined Contribution target.

It also aims to increase the renewable energy’s share in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030 and raise it further to 50 percent by 2050.

Despite these, the Philippines does not have a concrete plan or commitment to reaching a net zero target, albeit many companies, specifically the large ones, have already pledged to do their share in cutting their own carbon emissions.

Manlosa recognized that small businesses, in particular, need a hand in doing the same.

“The ones that are ahead are ahead but there’s probably a lot more that are behind,” he said. —Jordeene B. Lagare INQ