Jazmin Bonifacio Posted on September 13, 2026 at 9:22 am
Pasay City, Philippines — Philippine companies that have committed to cutting their carbon emissions will soon have their progress put under a closer lens as the Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA) prepares to name its first group of Net Zero Champions.
The awards will be presented during the Philippine Net Zero Conference 2026 on September 15–16 at the Philippine Trade Training Center.
The NZCA, an initiative of the First Gen Group, said the awards are the first private-sector recognition in the country focused on corporate decarbonization. Companies will be recognized for their progress in measuring emissions, keeping their data updated, carrying out emissions-reduction projects, and putting their net-zero plans into practice.
The awards are part of the NZCA’s fifth anniversary activities.
“Setting climate targets is only the first step; the real work lies in continuous reporting, operational innovation, and radical collaboration across entire value chains,” said Allan Barcena, NZCA executive director.
That distinction is important for companies that have made long-term net-zero commitments. Setting a target is relatively straightforward; measuring where emissions come from and showing that they are falling requires regular data, investment, and changes in day-to-day operations.
Tracking the progress
The NZCA framework takes companies through several steps, beginning with a formal commitment to reach net zero and the measurement of their carbon footprint.
Companies then develop a decarbonization plan and put it into operation. Their progress is tracked through the Net Zero Gateway, while their greenhouse gas inventories are subject to validation.
The 2026 awards will cover different parts of this process.
Gold, silver, and bronze awards will recognize companies based on their overall progress under the framework. Other awards look at specific areas of performance.
The Climate Impact Leader award will go to the company with the highest recorded absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Power Optimization Excellence Award will recognize the company with the largest recorded reduction in electricity consumption through energy-efficiency measures.
The Value-Chain Transparency Award will recognize companies that have submitted verified Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions data.
Scope 1 covers emissions from sources a company directly owns or controls, while Scope 2 covers emissions associated with purchased electricity. Scope 3 extends to emissions elsewhere in a company’s value chain, including suppliers and other business activities.
Other awards will recognize consistent emissions reporting, on-the-ground sustainability projects, technical support, knowledge sharing, and cooperation among alliance members.
Companies taking part
The NZCA currently has 47 partner companies that have committed to pursuing net-zero goals.
Among them are Arthaland, First Balfour, Drink Communications, Holcim Philippines, Monde Nissin, SGV/EY, and Unilever Philippines.
The alliance’s earlier partner roster also included Converge ICT Solutions, Ecolab, Knowles Electronics, INAEC Aviation, Menarco Development Corp., and Silliman University.
Some of these companies have already undertaken projects related to emissions reduction and sustainability.
Arthaland has incorporated sustainable development into its property projects, while First Balfour has worked on initiatives including more sustainable transportation.
Knowles Philippines has implemented projects involving wastewater treatment, fuel use, and ozone-depleting substances. Silliman University has worked on renewable energy, waste reduction, climate education, and reducing its carbon footprint.
Unilever Philippines has also been working to increase its use of renewable electricity at its Nutrition facility in Cavite, including a planned solar project. The company has also partnered with Linis Ganda on plastic waste concerns.
For the NZCA, these efforts are part of a larger push to get companies to regularly measure and report what their climate programs are accomplishing.
Five years of NZCA
The Net Zero Carbon Alliance was established in 2021 by Energy Development Corporation (EDC), a First Gen Group company.
It was created to help organizations operating in the Philippines work toward net-zero emissions by providing tools, training, and a framework for measuring and reducing their carbon footprint.
Its early members included Arthaland, First Balfour, Drink, Silliman University, Knowles Electronics, and Unilever. The network has since grown to 47 partner companies.
The alliance provides learning sessions and other resources to help companies understand their emissions, develop reduction plans, and track their progress.
The NZCA has also pushed the importance of measurement and verification, particularly as companies face greater scrutiny over their climate commitments.
The alliance will release its five-year accomplishment report during this year’s conference. The report is expected to provide a broader look at the progress made by its members since the organization was established.
For companies in the alliance, the challenge now is to show what their commitments have produced.
That means establishing a reliable emissions baseline, identifying the biggest sources of emissions, making changes in operations, and keeping track of whether those changes are actually reducing emissions.
The first Net Zero Champions awards will put some of those efforts in the spotlight.
More importantly, the results could give businesses, investors, and other stakeholders a clearer picture of which companies are moving beyond net-zero commitments and are able to show measurable progress.
Photo courtesy: Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA)
