Subic Freeport seeks carbon-neutral status. (Photo: Subic-Clark Alliance)

The Philippines' Subic Bay Freeport Zone has vowed to become the first carbon-neutral economic zone, launching a series of net-zero initiatives.

These plans include creating a net-zero roadmap for buildings, applying carbon capture technology, and more. The goal is to ensure that by the end of 2040, all economic activities will have net-zero carbon emissions, achieved through reductions and offsets, meaning no additional carbon will be released into the atmosphere.

SBMA announces carbon reduction plan

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone's reduction plans were announced by Amethya dela Llana, the Ecological Center Manager of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), at the opening ceremony of the Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit. The "Carbon Neutral Declaration" was formally presented, outlining the large-scale reduction plans.

The initiative involves gradually requiring decarbonization of buildings and transportation within the freeport zone, adopting low-carbon infrastructure design, and managing waste and wastewater. Additionally, the SBMA will provide incentives to encourage businesses within the economic zone to reduce carbon emissions and adopt emerging renewable energy technologies.

The SBMA also aims to leverage the area's rich forest carbon sinks by protecting, restoring, and expanding natural ecosystems for carbon capture. This includes capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the protection of a 1,000-hectare forest reserve and 60 hectares of coastal wetlands, mangroves, and seaweed ecosystems.

Formerly a military reserve, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone has become an economic zone with over 1,800 businesses, including 85 Taiwanese companies, employing a total of 158,000 people, plus several thousand residents.

Philippines' low carbon act spurs major decarbonization

Prior to this, SBMA Chairman Jose Aliño had proposed a port redevelopment plan in July, which is part of the carbon-neutral economic zone initiative. This plan, with an estimated investment of PHP 2.5 billion (USD 4.9 million), aims to make Subic the first green port in the Philippines equipped with shore power connections for ships. This will provide shore-based electricity while ships' main and auxiliary engines are turned off, reducing air pollution by 95%.

The Philippines has not set a net-zero target. Under the Paris Agreement, the country's climate goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by the end of 2030. However, in August 2024, the Philippines passed the "Low Carbon Economy Investment Act of 2023," which requires large enterprises to develop decarbonization plans, implement carbon pricing mechanisms, and establish decarbonization funds, marking a key step in the country's low-carbon transition.

Source: Philstar、Business World