The CarbonPH Coalition, an alliance of top Philippine companies championing nature-based solutions and sustainable practices, has expressed full support for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s newly announced initiative identifying over 1.18 million hectares of potential forestry investment areas across the country.
They announced during the second session of the CarbonPH Coalition Education Series (CCES), recently held at the Aboitiz Tech Space in the Asian Institute of Management, Makati City, which brought together private sector leaders, government officials, and sustainability advocates to explore investment opportunities and innovations in forest and watershed management.
Representatives from PBSP, FEF, Sustainability PH, and leading companies—including SM Investments, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nickel Asia, JG Summit, Shell, and SGV & Co.—attended the Aboitiz Group-hosted event.
A highlight of the event was the systematic packaging of potential investment areas (PIAs), which aims to simplify forestry investments by creating investment portfolios for land areas, taking into account current land cover, physical conditions, and various climates and financial risks.
“We want to balance sustainability, conservation, and investments so we can contribute to the country’s economic growth,” said Atty. Ray Thomas Kabigting, Assistant Director of the DENR Forest Management Bureau.
Kabigting stated that robust data and safeguards, including climate risk and vulnerability assessments, the Satellite Land Monitoring System (SLMS) to track forest cover changes, and the formalized Safeguards Information System (SIS) to uphold social and environmental protections under the REDD+ mechanism, support the DENR's push for forest-based investments.
These national strategies align closely with the goals of the Carbon PH Project, a flagship initiative of Aboitiz Foundation in partnership with the Cebu Provincial Government. Spanning over 42,000 hectares of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape and adjacent areas, Carbon PH is a long-term forest and watershed recovery effort focused on biodiversity restoration, water security, carbon sequestration, and sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.
With a project horizon of 25 to 40 years, Carbon PH serves as a model for how corporations can engage in nature-positive investments that deliver measurable impact.
“Forests are vital not only for climate regulation and water security but also for inclusive economic growth,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, First Vice President and Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures. “Through projects like Carbon PH, we are translating climate ambition into action by supporting science-based reforestation while empowering communities.”
As a collective of sustainability-driven companies, the CarbonPH Coalition is committed to supporting DENR’s initiatives with aligned investments, technical expertise, and long-term partnerships.
About Aboitiz Equity Ventures
AEV is one of the leading conglomerates in the Philippines with over 100 years of business history. It has major investments in power, banking and financial services, food and beverage, infrastructure, land, and data science and artificial intelligence. AEV is recognized as one of the best-managed companies in the Philippines and the region, consistently cited for its commitment to good corporate governance and sustainability. Currently, the company is on its Great Transformation journey to become the Philippines’ first Techglomerate as it continues to shape the future by advancing business and communities.
AEV is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, Global Compact Network Philippines Board of Trustees, the APEC Business Advisory Council and the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, and helps champion sustainability initiatives on a regional level through policies, advocacies, and initiatives that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). With a clear focus on ESG, the company is implementing its #OneAboitizSustainability Synergy model which transforms its life-essential businesses to improve sustainable practices and continue to create a positive impact on society and the environment.
