THE Philippines needs up to $5 million in United Nations funding to reduce emissions of “super pollutants” that accelerate global warming, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said on Friday.
Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the country had applied for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator. The Philippines also offered to host the coalition’s board meeting in Manila in 2027.
Cuna discussed the application with coalition secretariat head Martina Otto at the UN headquarters in New York during the recent 81st UN General Assembly.
“Reducing super pollutants can quickly improve the climate and air quality while protecting communities and agriculture,” Cuna said.
Super pollutants, also known as short-lived climate pollutants, include methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons. They remain in the atmosphere for a shorter period than carbon dioxide, but trap substantially more heat. Some also harm human health, the environment and agricultural production.
The accelerator program provides grants of $2 to $5 million over three years. The funding would help establish a government team of experts and provide technical assistance in sectors such as waste management, agriculture and transportation.
The Philippines’ application is anchored on its National Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Action Plan, which identifies 13 priority measures to reduce emissions by 2035.
These include the Rice Sub-Sector Strategy being implemented with Clean Air Asia and the International Rice Research Institute, as well as the Asean-Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation.
Cuna said the accelerator would help implement the country’s policies and fulfill its commitments under the Global Methane Pledge and updated Nationally Determined Contribution.
Environment Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh said the program could bring together technical expertise, government priorities and sectoral initiatives to produce measurable emission reductions.
Aside from seeking funding, Cuna offered to host the coalition’s board meeting in March or April 2027. He said holding the meeting in the region would complement broader Southeast Asian efforts to cut methane emissions, improve air quality and address climate change.
He also urged the coalition to help Southeast Asian countries harmonize their methods for measuring, reporting and verifying emissions.
The Philippines has been a member of the UN Environment Program-hosted coalition since 2015. It previously served as co-chairman and currently holds a seat on its board.
Funding decisions will be announced in November at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference, or COP31.
The coalition, a voluntary partnership of more than 200 governments and organizations, aims to reduce global methane emissions by at least 40 percent and black carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030.