The Philippines pushes for transparency, collaboration in climate governance; and further stories

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, the Philippines pushes for transparency, accountability, and collaboration in addressing climate challenges. In other reports, Vietnam has become a key driver of global growth in thermal coal imports and use. Lastly, China began construction on projects with the greatest combined coal power capacity since 2015, jeopardising the country’s goal to peak carbon emissions by 2030.

PH pushes for transparency and collaboration in climate governance

The Philippines highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and collaboration in addressing climate challenges across social and national boundaries during a high-level meeting in Manila. In a news release on PNA, Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje reiterated the country’s commitment to open and inclusive climate governance, emphasizing its role in strengthening climate resilience and sustainable development at the Open Government Partnership Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting held on 7th February. “Governments must not work in silos. Meaningful participation leads to stronger policies, better implementation, and greater public trust,” he said.

Vietnam’s industrial boom drives global coal imports to new highs

Vietnam has become a key driver of global growth in thermal coal imports and use, after supercharging imports of the power fuel by over 30 percent in 2024 to record highs. Vietnam’s imports of thermal coal rose 31 percent to 44 million metric tons in 2024, according to ship-tracking firm Kpler, which contrasts with just a 1 percent expansion in global thermal coal imports last year to 1.01 billion tons. Reuters reports that an enduring boom in Vietnam’s export-oriented and power-hungry manufacturing sector has been the main catalyst behind the surge in its imports and use of coal, which is the country’s largest source of power.

China’s 2024 coal projects threaten climate goals, report says

China last year began construction on projects with the greatest combined coal power capacity since 2015, jeopardising the country’s goal to peak carbon emissions by 2030, according to a report published on 13th February. The world’s second-largest economy is the biggest emitter of the greenhouse gases that drive climate change, but also a renewable energy powerhouse. It plans to reach net zero by 2060. While coal has been a pivotal energy source in China for decades, explosive growth in wind and solar installations in recent years has raised hopes that the country can wean itself off the dirty fossil fuel. But HKFP reports that China began construction on 94.5 gigawatts of coal power projects in 2024 — 93 percent of the global total.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].