BUILDING upon the foundation of carbon pricing, the Philippines is focusing on strengthening its carbon credit infrastructure and fostering public-private partnerships to enhance reforestation initiatives. For the carbon pricing framework to drive meaningful change, the country must establish a robust infrastructure for monitoring, verifying and certifying carbon credits.
This includes clear guidelines on project eligibility, standardized methodologies for measuring carbon sequestration and stringent verification processes to ensure transparency and credibility. Without these safeguards, the risk of “greenwashing” — where companies claim carbon offsets without genuine environmental benefits — remains a concern.
The framework’s success depends on strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. The government must actively engage corporations, financial institutions and conservation groups to create a thriving carbon market that benefits both the environment and the economy. By offering tax incentives or preferential financing for businesses that invest in reforestation, policymakers can accelerate corporate participation in carbon offset projects.
Sulu Garden Foundation’s (SGF) seed ball technology illustrates how the seed ball is created. IMAGE BY THE SGF
Additionally, linking carbon credits with international carbon markets can open up new revenue streams for Philippine reforestation efforts. With the growing global demand for high-quality carbon offsets, the country has the potential to become a leader in nature-based climate solutions.
However, achieving this requires clear regulations, robust governance and an emphasis on projects that deliver genuine environmental and social benefits. One such project is the “Re-Greening of Panay” project, led by the Sulu Garden Foundation (SGF) in Miag-ao, Iloilo. This ambitious plan to reforest around 200,000 hectares of degraded land on Panay Island addresses both environmental damage and the growing impacts of climate change.
One of the project’s main innovations is seed ball technology. Seeds from native trees are wrapped in clay, protecting them from animals and harsh weather. These balls are spread during the dry season. Once it rains, the clay dissolves and the seeds begin to grow. This method allows reforestation in remote areas while lowering labor and logistical costs.
To improve efficiency, the project uses drone technology for seed dispersal and forest monitoring. Drones and satellite imagery help track growth and reforestation success. The project also collaborates with several key partners, including Poseidon Sciences Group, West Visayas State University and RainForest Botanical Gardens. These partnerships highlight the value of multi-sector teamwork in environmental efforts.
“With less than 7 percent forest cover and the increasing hardships caused by global warming, the island of Panay must undertake reforestation on a scale that will truly make a difference for future generations,” said SGF Chairman Jonathan Matias. “Planting one seedling at a time is not enough — we need to scale up and use modern methods to ensure the success of our efforts. We know the risks ahead, and we must act now.”
Effective steps
A key benefit of the project is the opportunity to generate carbon credits. If verified and certified, the reforestation could be recognized as a carbon offset project. These credits could then be sold to companies and organizations aiming to reduce their emissions, helping finance the project’s long-term goals. To make carbon credits work effectively, several steps are necessary:
Defining carbon rights: Clear ownership of carbon rights is needed to attract investors. Its legal framework is being crafted by the proposed House Bill 10635, or the Carbon Rights Act.
Engaging local communities for their involvement ensures long-term success. Providing training and fair benefit-sharing build trust and encourage care of the restored forests.
Monitoring and verification: Reliable systems are required to measure carbon storage and forest health. Accurate data builds confidence among investors and ensures environmental goals are met.
Natural regeneration: Along with planting trees, allowing forests to naturally regrow can be more cost-effective and environmentally sound in some cases.
Technology is transforming how reforestation is managed. SGF is creating software that uses drone imagery to track individual trees from small saplings to full growth. These images will train artificial intelligence (AI) models to assess tree health and growth stages.
Monitoring trees with data and AI ensures accuracy and supports carbon credit verification. This approach increases transparency and ensures the trees are truly thriving. Innovative financing, like debt-for-nature swaps and blended finance, can bring in private investments. These tools reduce risk and bring more stakeholders into the reforestation process, helping faster scaling-up.
By combining legislation, community support and modern technology, the Philippines is setting the stage for impactful reforestation. The nation’s carbon pricing system helps align financial interests with environmental goals. With well-planned strategies, projects like the Re-Greening of Panay can make major contributions to climate action, ecological health and sustainable development.
