The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Philippines is making a big move. As of February 17, mining companies must now include biodiversity conservation and climate action in their community plans. This new rule aims to create better social development management programs.
Previously, mining companies didn’t have to focus on these areas. Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga emphasized that the department will also look into labor practices, gender equality, and social services. They want to enhance reforestation efforts and restore ecosystems that are suffering from biodiversity loss.
Secretary Loyzaga explained that the goal is to ensure everyone benefits from mineral extraction. This means sharing wealth fairly, protecting ecosystems, and empowering local communities. Under the new guidelines, mining firms need to create a five-year development plan to boost the living standards of people in their host communities. This could include important projects like building schools, hospitals, and housing.
Mining is often linked to environmental damage, but it also plays a vital role in the shift toward cleaner energy technologies. There’s a growing need for essential minerals such as copper, nickel, and cobalt. These materials are crucial for making electric vehicles, battery storage, and wind turbines.
The DENR is also asking mining companies to adopt the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to eliminate poverty by 2030. It’s an ambitious target that calls for concerted global efforts.
The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) responded positively to the DENR’s order. They noted that their members have been proactive in implementing sustainability practices. In 2023, PNIA members invested around P4.3 billion in development projects, which included planting almost 4.3 million trees. They reaffirmed their dedication to responsible mining and advancing the SDGs.
The UN introduced the SDGs in 2015 to replace the Millennium Development Goals from 2000. These goals address several global challenges, including poverty, hunger, health, education, clean water, and sustainable cities.
However, in 2024, a UN report indicated that the world is “severely off track” in meeting the SDGs. Only 17% of the targets are on track, while progress has stalled or regressed for more than a third of them. Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and conflicts have contributed to these delays.
As part of its commitment to these global goals, the Philippines has integrated the SDGs into its Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028. There are ongoing efforts to encourage the private sector to align their investments with the SDGs, including the launch of an investor map by the UN Development Programme in 2024.
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