CANADA steps up its support for the Philippines’ energy transition and decarbonization efforts.
This observation emerged during a recent visit by a Canadian trade mission to the Philippines, with over 300 Canadians from more than 190 business organizations.
The Canadian government’s Indo-Pacific trade representative Paul Thoppil reiterated his country’s support to the Philippines’ energy transition, citing the growing alignment of Canada’s development assistance on climate action.
“We have created, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for Private Sector in Asia. And for the first time ever, Canada’s Development Finance Institution has been given geographic expansion into the [Indo-Pacific] region,” Thoppil said.
Canada is also the second largest donor to the Climate Investment Funds – Accelerating Coal Transition Initiative, which provides up to $500 million in development assistance to the Philippines’ energy transition.
Thoppil emphasized the importance of the partnership between Canada and Philippines in energy transition, including in the commercial sector.
“For a commercial relationship to thrive, it needs to be sustainable between two countries. And therefore, for Canada, we believe in capital flow and technology transfer flow that is between the Philippines and Canada. We acknowledge the capital and the technology that exists in your country that we can benefit from as well,” Thoppil said.
Canada is deemed an energy powerhouse, either in hydro or liquefied natural gas, nuclear, biomass and more.
Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said Canada’s development assistance and commercial initiatives could provide critical support for the Philippines’ energy transition, which includes nuclear power.
“Canada and the Philippines share a commitment to sustainability and innovation. Canada’s expertise in renewable energy and nuclear power and grid modernization presents immense opportunities for knowledge sharing and economic transfer,” Guevara said.
“Joint ventures in energy technologies like hydrogen production can also strengthen both nations’ decarbonization efforts,” she added.
Environment Undersecretary Analiza Teh highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Philippines and Canada to achieve sustainability, particularly in energy transition.
“International partnerships with bilateral and development partners are essential, particularly in providing experts for policy recommendations, technical studies, and modelling to complete
these studies effectively. Additionally, mobilizing the private sector is crucial,” Teh explained.
“We hope development partners can support countries in aligning private sector sustainability goals with government and climate objectives,” she added.
Meanwhile, infrastructure advocate and Stratbase Group chief operating officer Rupert Paul Manhit noted the important role of the private sector, both foreign and local investors, in energy transition.
“Canada has been a trusted and reliable partner of the Philippines on energy transition, and the
presence of Canada’s largest-ever trade mission to the Philippines reflects a growing recognition of the country’s immense potential as an investment destination,” he said.
“With the Philippines’ power generation sector being almost entirely privately owned, there is a unique opportunity for private entities to lead in driving this transformation. This leadership will not only advance our clean energy ambitions, but also bolster energy security and economic growth,” Manhit said.
