1st Race to Zero Philippines Summit
In a bold move to position the Philippines as a regional leader in climate action, the Race to Zero Philippines Summit convened over 300 high-level leaders from business, government, civil society, and the international climate community at the Ascott in Bonifacio Global City on October 10, 2024.
Organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP)—recently appointed as the country’s official Accelerator for the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign—the summit aligned with global momentum from Climate Week NYC and anticipated outcomes of COP29 in Bélem, Brazil.
A New Era of Climate Action
The summit spotlighted the Philippines’ pivotal role in the global movement to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero carbon by 2050. The event served as a call to action for local and regional leaders to break down barriers and champion transformative climate solutions tailored to the country’s context.
“Delivering on net-zero commitments creates real impact not only for the planet but for people and economies,” said Race to Zero Campaign Director Ramiro Fernandez, emphasizing the urgency for credible, science-based action.
Summit Highlights
Key Messages and Commitments:
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Policy Commitment: Dr. Gina Nilo from the Department of Agriculture affirmed the government’s dedication to building resilient, low-carbon food systems.
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Private Sector Engagement: ECCP President Paulo Duarte pledged to deepen EU–Philippine industry collaboration in support of the net-zero agenda.
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Global Alignment: Jane Eisenhardt (live from New York) detailed the 2030 climate action roadmap, while Harald Friedl (Europe), Kristina Rodriguez (Philippines), and Mohamed Momtaz Hegazy (Cairo) explored sector-specific innovations from circular economy practices to mangrove finance and zero-emission transport.
A Platform for Real Change
The summit offered an interactive workshop where participants applied the Race to Zero’s five-pillar framework—Pledge, Plan, Proceed, Publish, Persuade—with outputs contributing to the Philippines’ official planning report for COP29.
Participants also engaged in a Partner Recognition and Pledge Wall, where companies and organizations publicly declared their climate commitments and celebrated sector-specific milestones.
Mobilizing Advocates Across the Country
A central theme of the summit was the call for climate advocates—visionary individuals and organizations ready to lead the nation’s transformation. Through Race to Net Zero Philippines Inc., ECCP’s newly formed NGO, local advocates now have a structured platform to join the global campaign, fund community programs, support data and impact mapping, and participate in policy development and international forums.
Advocates also gain visibility through spotlight opportunities, partnership development, and recognition as pioneers in Philippine climate leadership.
Toward a Low-Carbon Future
As the country braces for the global spotlight at COP29, the Race to Zero Philippines Summit reinforced a unified message: the time for ambition is now, and the path to a resilient, low-carbon future is paved with action, collaboration, and leadership.
Join the movement. Accelerate the Philippines’ Race to Zero.
