PH, World Economic Forum Ink Pacts To Protect Blue Carbon And Curb Plastic Pollution

The Philippines and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have signed agreements to protect and restore the "blue carbon ecosystem," encompassing the ocean and coastal features that capture carbon, and to address plastic pollution.

Secretary Ma. Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) signed the agreements with WEF Center for Nature and Climate Managing Director Neo Gim Huay. I Photo: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Facebook

Secretary Ma. Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) signed the agreements with WEF Center for Nature and Climate Managing Director Neo Gim Huay on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Gim Huay stated, “The Philippines is a very important economy being an archipelago. So, we hope that these agreements can catalyze a lot more communities, initiatives, public policy, and corporate involvement in addressing and protecting our ecosystems.”

The two agreements are significant as they address the efforts of both the Philippine government and the WEF for the environment, she said.

“The government is putting in place very progressive policies to address plastic pollution, including the extended producer responsibility where producers also need to be responsible and help manage the ways from consumption,” Gim Huay emphasized.

Gim Huay highlighted the importance of working closely with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who, she said, is driven to ensure a sustainable ecosystem, and with global collaboration to translate commitments into tangible and practical solutions for communities on the ground.

WEF Ocean Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action Head Alfredo Giron Nava noted that the support of President Marcos for this agreement is extremely instrumental, emphasizing that it will not materialize without the help of the government.

Gim Huay mentioned that after the signing of the two agreements, both the Philippines and the WEF will start sharing best practices with communities, civil society groups, and the corporate sector to translate the agreements into what she referred to as “practical progress.”

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