The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched a joint report on Thursday to advance the green economy transition in Southeast Asia, supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to promote sustainable and climate-resilient growth.
According to a media release from the Presidential Communications Office, the report assesses regional policies and identifies opportunities for green jobs and private investment in sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, green construction, and the circular economy.
The report offers recommendations to help the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) attract investments, track progress, and expand green employment while advancing climate action.
Speaking at the launch, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said Southeast Asia faces both economic opportunity and climate risks.
“Southeast Asia stands at a crossroads. We are on track to become the world’s fourth largest economy, yet we are also on the front lines of the climate crisis,” Roque said during the launch, a side event of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat.
Roque said rising sea levels and extreme weather events are already disrupting supply chains and threatening livelihoods across the region.
The shift to a green economy is no longer optional but a “necessity that we cannot ignore,” Roque said.
The Marcos administration considers the green economy as a driver of growth, Roque added.
“By embracing this transition, ASEAN positions itself as a global hub for sustainable manufacturing, green technology innovation, and resilient energy security. This is not just about protecting the planet, it is about creating high-quality jobs and attracting the next wave of global investments,” Roque said.