Overview

The Philippine Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting Program (PhilGARP)

Climate change is considered as one of the most threatening environmental problems of the 21st century. The early signs of climate change are now being felt globally with the onset of rapid growth and development in our industrial, agricultural, and urban activities. In particular, the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere that adversely affect global climate. Initial steps towards climate protection involve accounting for the mass volumes of emitted GHGs. Given the current emphasis on localizing sustainable development in the Philippines , it is becoming increasingly important to incorporate climate change concerns in corporate decision-making. It can be done through the use of tools that enable companies to understand and manage their GHG emissions.

The Philippine Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting Program(PhilGARP) is a collaboration among the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Energy (DOE), the World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE), and the klima Climate Change Center of the Manila Observatory (klima–MO). It is being supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The klima - MO has been designated as the secretariat for the program.

PhilGARP is a voluntary program for GHG accounting and reporting designed to train businesses and organizations operating in the Philippines on greenhouse gas (GHG) management based on the GHG Protocol standards and tools, and assist them in the creation of corporate GHG inventories. PhilGARP will also provide a platform for public reporting and information dissemination on GHG management issues.

Program Objectives:

• Make a comprehensive assessment of corporate GHG risks and opportunities
• Identify co-benefits between reduction of GHG emissions and efficiency measures, energy conservation, environment and health.
• Identify and initiate GHG mitigation projects
• Create a reliable accounting and reporting system that provides the foundation for future national climate change policies and strategies.
• Improve the quality of the Philippines ’ national GHG inventories included in the National Communications to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• Contribute to the Philippines ’ sustainable development.

Pilot phase is designed to be structured and executed in four phases over the following two years:

• Phase I: Planning, Design, Business Recruitment, and Training of Trainers
• Phase II: Program Operation and Business Inventory Development
• Phase III: Integration of GHG Project Accounting
• Phase IV: Assessment of Pilot Phase and Transition to Permanent Status

Download the Brochure