The Philippine government commenced the updating of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in December 2024. It is integrating circular economy strategies to promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the regeneration of natural systems.
Recognizing that the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste are driven by unsustainable consumption and production patterns, the Government of the Philippines is deploying circular economy strategies to promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the regeneration of natural systems. The government developed the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production (PAP4SCP) which serves as a key policy instrument to drive behavioral change among Filipinos, starting with government agencies, and shift towards more sustainable practices. By aligning the NDC 3.0 with the PAP4SCP, the government reinforces its commitment to systemic transformation, ensuring that climate action not only reduces emissions but also fosters long-term resilience and sustainable economic growth through innovative, eco-friendly solutions.
The UNDP, together with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)/One Planet Network and UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) developed an online circular economy and NDC toolbox and user guide which aim to support countries both in the Global North and Global South to identify, prioritize, implement, and track circular economy interventions for increasing climate ambition and implementation of their NDCs.
Shifting Paradigms supported the Philippine government with:
- Research and assessment of the national situation, including identifying priority sectors/sub-sectors and/or value chains by applying the toolbox.
- Conduct online trainings with government representatives as well as other stakeholders to present the toolbox and raise awareness of the importance to link the circular economy and climate agendas.
- Apply the necessary tools from the relevant stages in the toolbox.
- Develop recommendations for viable circular economy CE interventions to raise the ambition of the NDC.
- Draft text for the integration of circular economy principles in the NDC.
Photo by Jules Bassoleil on Unsplash
