The Aboitiz Group reinforced its leadership in environmental stewardship and carbon market development through its participation in the 3rd Malaysia Carbon Market Forum (MCMF 2025), a key regional event hosted by the Bursa Carbon Exchange.
AEV chief reputation and sustainability officer and Aboitiz Foundation president Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar joined a high-level panel on advancing the ASEAN Common Carbon Framework (ACCF), emphasizing the importance of collaboration in building an inclusive and credible carbon market for the Philippines.
“The Philippines is well-positioned to help shape regional carbon markets, especially in nature-based credits. Through active collaboration between the public and private sectors, we are working to establish a high-integrity framework that supports both environmental goals and community development,” Hontiveros-Malvar said.
She cited key policy developments driving the local carbon market, including a proposed executive order to designate a lead agency for carbon market governance, the pending Low-Carbon Investment Economy Bill, and a forthcoming Department Administrative Order (DAO) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on forest carbon projects.
The draft DAO, developed with the Carbon Coalition and NBS Industry Group – of which the Aboitiz Group is a member – seeks to create transparent, science-based rules for generating and trading carbon credits.
Hontiveros-Malvar also highlighted growing momentum toward establishing a national carbon registry – a monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system, and pilot projects in energy, forestry, and blue carbon – building the foundation for future market design.
She said the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 presents an opportunity to deepen regional cooperation and strengthen voluntary carbon markets (VCMs), unlocking natural capital and mobilizing climate finance for high-integrity projects.
