The EU-Philippines partnership for a greener future

April 22 marked Earth Day. This is an important annual event to raise awareness and inspire action for the protection of our planet and its natural resources. From rising sea levels and extreme weather events to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, the planet is under unprecedented stress.

In today’s complex geopolitical environment, Earth Day serves as a powerful reminder that environmental sustainability transcends borders and political divides. Environmental health and political stability are reliant on each other, as the impacts of environmental degradation – such as the damage caused by increasingly strong natural disasters, food insecurity, displacement of vulnerable communities and resource conflict – affect everybody.

Earth Day calls on the global community to prioritize the planet, foster partnerships and build a more sustainable and peaceful future. As former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon once said, “There is no Plan B because there is no Planet B.”

The transition to a green economy is not just an environmental imperative – it is an opportunity to create sustainable growth, generate green jobs and build resilient communities. The EU and the Philippines are close partners in building a more sustainable future, through the EU-Philippine P3.67-billion Green Economy Program (GEPP), launched in 2023 by European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen during her visit to Manila. GEPP is part of EU’s Global Gateway initiative, the European strategy engaging with partners globally and promoting investments around shared priorities such as the transition to a green economy, renewable energy and green hydrogen, education and research and digital infrastructure, among others.

Under the remarkable leadership of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) as well as additional implementing partners, the GEPP has already launched important initiatives across various sectors in the Philippines.

In any country, the policy framework has to be filled with action. The green transition happens at the local level and as quickly as the community can transition. One good example of an initiative under GEPP includes the initiation of the Green Local Government Units (LGUs) Project, aiming to support in total 60 LGUs in adopting circular economy practices over the coming years. LGUs that have already been identified to participate in the first stage of the project include Baguio City, Caloocan City, Davao City, Municipality of Del Carmen in Siargao, Iloilo City, Pasig City, Puerto Princesa City, Ormoc City, Quezon City and the Island Garden City of Samal.

I could already witness the first important steps of the Green Transition in our quality partnership and I am deeply impressed by the strong local leadership and the engagement of the community – in brief the local ownership of our GEPP. In this context, I would also like to refer to a recently published Call for Proposals on our EU Delegation website with application deadline of May 5 for civil society to participate in the LGUs above to build new partnerships and to support educational and behavioral change in the partner LGUs.

Earth Day also reminds us of the challenges that the world is tackling on Sustainable Development and Climate Change. We know that the Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Targets can only be achieved with the knowledge, innovation and funding of the private sector. Under the umbrella of the GEPP, the EU and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) aim to mobilize private capital and expertise to support initiatives in waste management, renewable energy and climate resilience.

Moreover, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with Expertise France and the Global Green Growth Institute, is working to increase private sector involvement in circular, waste-reduction economies. Events like the Green Economy Forum, which took place on Nov. 26-27, 2024, further underscored the importance of private enterprises, highlighting opportunities for investment and business matchmaking in the green economy sector.

There is a Call for Projects published on our EU Delegation website with application deadline of May 2 to strengthen entrepreneurial support programs targeting innovative private sector initiatives in the fields of green and circular economy and the creation and growth of innovative circular and green startup initiatives.

As we look toward the future, the EU remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the Philippines in its journey toward a green economy. Our partnership, rooted in shared values of sustainability, innovation and resilience, is a testament to the collective will to address the challenges of climate change and to preserve the incredible biodiversity of this beautiful country through sustainable development.

Through initiatives like the EU-Philippine Green Economy Program, we are not only helping to shape a cleaner, more sustainable future but also creating opportunities for economic growth, green jobs and improved quality of life for all Filipinos. There is a lot the EU and the Philippines can learn from each other, as well as from our partners, on this important topic. Together, with the leadership of the Philippine government, the dedication of the private sector and the active participation of communities, we can build a greener, more prosperous, Philippines.

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Massimo Santoro is the European Union Ambassador to the Philippines.