Green Convergence, DENR to hold 4th PH Environment Summit

Tagaytay City will host the 4^th Philippine Environment Summit with the theme “Caring for Earth: Scaling up Solutions to the Climate Emergency.” On February 21–23, 2023 at Taal Vista Hotel, Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy (GC), in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is organizing the event as co-convener, together with supporters from other sectors.

The Philippines needs to go down a path of decarbonization in order to survive the looming global catastrophe our world could face if no action is taken today. After the pandemic, there is a greater responsibility to scale up solutions to address the current climate crisis.

Like the previous summits, the 4th Philippine Environment Summit is a celebration of the Philippine environmental movement, a showcase of programs and projects that contribute to social and economic advancement while protecting our God-given ecology, and an invitation to enhance convergence among sectors to accelerate the drive towards sustainable development. In addition, this fourth summit is a call for each Filipino to take personal responsibility for our country’s response to the climate emergency.

The biennial summit is unique among environmental fora that present the dire state of our planet, for it recognizes the valiant efforts of many Filipinos who are taking positive steps to counter the destruction. 

Parallel sessions feature the main programs that bring about sustainable development, like renewable energy, organic agriculture, safe food manufacture, native tree reforestation, ecological solid waste management, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, and ecotourism among others. 

An exhibit area features the above programs as well as many other programs of the government, LGUs, communities, NGOs, businesses, academe, and other sectors.   

Plenary speakers include Federico Lopez, CEO of the Energy Development Corporation, and Bobby Chan, environmental lawyer, Palawan NGO Network Inc. DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga is the speaker for the keynote address.

The hosting of the summit rotates among the three major island groups in the country. The Summit was first held in 2016 in Luzon at the SM Mall of Asia in Metro Manila, while the 2018 event was held in Visayas at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City. Mindanao hosted the 2020 Summit for the first time at the Grand Caprice Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

The three-day Summit carries the themes of Safe Food, a Healthy Environment, and a Sustainable Economy. Each day has plenary sessions in the morning and breakout sessions in the afternoon. Around 1,000 participants from all over the country are attending. 

Interested participants can pre-register at bit.ly/gcsummit2023