A National Milestone for Clean Air and Climate: Philippines Finalizes SLCP National Plan and Methane Roadmap

Held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, the event marked the culmination of the multi-year project led by Clean Air Asia, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Climate Change Service (DENR-CCS), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), and supported by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

SLCPs are pollutants that stay in the atmosphere for less time than other climate pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, but have greater warming potential. These pollutants include methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons, and tropospheric ozone. This makes SLCP mitigation a clear opportunity for the Philippines to meet both climate and clean air goals.

The SLCP National Action Plan provides an evidence-based framework for policymakers by providing data on the mitigation potential of current policies and measures (PAMs), overcoming barriers to implementation, as well as coordinating actions, and monitoring and evaluation for the country’s mitigation actions. This was developed through close consultation and coordination with government partners from the energy, agriculture, transport, industrial process and product use (IPPU), and waste sectors. As a signatory to the Global Methane Pledge, the national action plan also serves as the country’s methane roadmap.

Celebrating Progress and Planning the Road Ahead

The event opened with remarks from Assistant Secretary Jacqueline Caancan of the DENR-EMB, who emphasized that addressing SLCPs is an opportunity to harmonize national climate action and air quality targets. “This is not just a closing ceremony—it is a celebration of a pivotal moment in our nation’s fight against climate change and, of course, for the health of our countrymen,” she said, urging stronger collaboration moving forward.

Following this, Clean Air Asia’s Associate Program Director, Ms. Dang Espita-Casanova, presented the final outputs of the project: the SLCP National Action Plan and Methane Roadmap. These comprehensive documents provide a clear direction for implementation, including 13 priority mitigation measures spanning sectors like waste, agriculture, energy, and transport. The plan also highlights opportunities for integrating SLCP actions into the upcoming NDC 3.0 and other national strategies.

Learning from the Global Stage

Co-implementors of the SLCP national action plan project, SEI and IGES, also shared insights on their international experience in integrating SLCPs into national policies. CCAC, as the main funding organization, has also expressed continued interest in supporting the country’s SLCP mitigation efforts.

Ms. Connie O’Neill from SEI outlined four common approaches other countries use to incorporate SLCPs into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): through specific SLCP targets, sectoral pathways, defined mitigation actions, and highlighting health co-benefits. The SEI led the project’s modelling work via LEAP-IBC which was used to estimate the country’s emissions and PAMs mitigation potential to year 2050.

Dr. Eric Zusman from IGES emphasized regional and global trends, noting the Philippines’ alignment with emerging multi-benefit approaches in ASEAN and under the UNFCCC. He called for stronger coordination and proposed forming a national task force on climate and air pollution, aligned with their policy analysis work in the national action plan to create enabling environments for agencies and their PAMs. 

Ms. Charlene Sardoma of CCAC detailed ongoing support pathways for SLCP mitigation in the Philippines, including upcoming projects in the rice sub-sector and waste management. She encouraged agencies to collaborate under CCAC’s technical and funding mechanisms.

From Planning to Implementation: National Voices on Policy and Practice

A panel discussion moderated by Ms. Everlyn Tamayo-Araneta, Air Quality and Climate Change Science Lead at Clean Air Asia, brought together insights from national agencies and development partners.

Ms. Liz Silva of DENR-CCS highlighted the importance of translating existing laws into tangible projects, particularly in the waste sector. She called for more local government involvement and emphasized the need for capacity building in understanding SLCPs and their health links.

Mr. Wallen Sigui of the Department of Transportation discussed transport-sector priorities, including fleet modernization and fuel efficiency. He suggested using indicator-based approaches to align better with broader sustainability goals and support inter-agency synergies.

Development partners also reaffirmed their support. Mr. Richard Calawagan from the Global Green Growth Institute introduced the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation on Methane Mitigation, aiming to develop national methane roadmaps through pilot projects. Ms. Maraida Licerio, representing the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the United Nations Development Programme, outlined existing policies in the industrial sector and emerging PAMs, such as the destruction of HFCs in cement production. She underscored the need for improved data systems and integration with other sectors, like transport.

Capturing the Journey Through Art and Words

As the discussions concluded, participants were treated to a live visual summary by Tofu Creatives, which synthesized key insights and discussions into an engaging illustrated roadmap that visually captured the collaborative spirit and technical depth of the project.

In her closing remarks, Atty. Glynda Bathan-Baterina, Deputy Executive Director of Clean Air Asia, expressed deep gratitude to all participants and reminded everyone of the power of partnerships. “We must carry this momentum forward, united in our efforts toward cleaner air and a climate-resilient Philippines,” she said.

The Path Forward: Collaboration, Integration, and Innovation

The Philippine SLCP National Plan and Methane Roadmap set the stage for transformative change. With support from international experts, strong inter-agency collaboration, and dedicated partners, the country is now better equipped to reduce SLCPs and meet its climate and air quality commitments.

While the project has reached its conclusion, its legacy lives on through institutional commitments, sectoral engagement, and the continued push for science-based, people-centered solutions.

Clean Air Asia and its partners remain steadfast in supporting the Philippines’ journey toward clean air and sustainable development.