PEZA, Zeroboard ink pact to advance decarbonization in Philippine ecozones

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Tokyo-based sustainability solutions provider Zeroboard Inc. to accelerate decarbonization across the country’s economic zones.

Signed on March 21, 2025, at the PEZA Head Office, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was formalized by PEZA Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Anidelle Joy M. Alguso and Zeroboard Thailand Managing Director and APAC Regional Head Shintaro Suzuki. The collaboration aims to promote low-carbon industrial development and improve the global competitiveness of PEZA-registered enterprises.

Under the agreement, the cloud-based Zeroboard platform will allow export-oriented firms within PEZA zones to measure, visualize, and manage their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with international standards such as CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), SBT (Science-Based Targets), and ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board).

The MOU outlines four key focus areas:

1. Carbon tracking and visualization for PEZA locators;

2. Green Transformation (GX) training programs to build sustainability talent;

3. Development of a Green SEZ certification system to recognize low-carbon operations;

4. Implementation of pilot decarbonization projects in selected ecozones.

PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said the initiative reinforces the agency’s broader push to build smart and green mixed-use developments across the country.

“Through this strategic partnership, we aim to establish a leading decarbonization model within ASEAN, strengthening green supply chains and supporting the Philippines’ climate commitments,” Panga said.

The move aligns with the Philippines’ nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030.

Currently used by over 13,000 companies worldwide, Zeroboard's platform will be customized for the Philippine context, supporting enterprises in making sustainable transitions while maintaining competitiveness.

Panga emphasized that PEZA’s decarbonization strategy is not only about climate responsibility but also about attracting multinational corporations that prioritize clean and green production standards, consistent with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), and Equity, Inclusivity, and Diversity (EID) principles.

“This move affirms our commitment to sustainability and climate action. PEZA is poised to lead the transformation of our ecozones into hubs of innovation, green living, and industrial excellence,” he added.

The partnership signals a significant leap in the Philippines’ efforts to become a more climate-resilient and investor-attractive economy.