Philippines to align trade policy with climate, development goalsMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has launched a new initiative to align its trade policy with its climate and development goals, stressing that climate action must be fair and development-oriented to be effective and sustainable. Speaking at the high-level roundtable on Trade, Climate and Sustainable Development in Geneva, Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla said trade, climate and development cannot be treated as separate tracks, particularly for a climate-vulnerable, middle-income country like the Philippines. He emphasized that international discussions on trade-related climate measures must respect the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities under climate law, as well as special and differential treatment in trade law, to gain broad support among developing countries. “Trade policy, if designed well, can help the Philippines manage adjustment to new climate measures abroad, strengthen our own competitiveness and support a just energy transition at home,” Teehankee said. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the University of the Philippines Law Center Institute of International Legal Studies and the Forum on Trade, Environment and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Source: Philippine Star December 21, 2025 17:34 UTC