PH drops in Climate Change Performance Index ranking 

The Philippines has dropped 12 places to rank 19 in the latest Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI).

It is still the highest ranking Southeast Asian nation with a score of 62.79. Vietnam is a far second, ranking 24, with a score of 60.65.

Like last year, the top three spots were left blank by the CCPI because "No country is strong enough in all categories to achieve an overall very high rating," it said.

The decision effectively put Denmark at the top spot in 4th place, where it also stood last year, while the UK moved up a notch to claim the 5th spot. 

The country rankings are based on four criteria: climate policies, renewable energy performance, energy use, and GHG emissions.

Historically, the Philippines has always been a low-emitter so it's unsurprising that it had a high score in energy use (7th spot with a score of 15.82) and GHG emissions (12th spot with a score of 29.97). According to Climate Watch, we are the world's 37th largest emitter, with a total share of 0.5%. 

Meanwhile, we ranked low in renewable energy (34th spot with a score of 6.41) and climate policy (29th spot with a score of 10.58).

While the CCPI noted the country's efforts at establishing "a well-regulated carbon offsetting registry," it explained "the considerable drop" of the Philippines' ranking this year is due to "the absence of a net-zero target and ambitious and unconditional intermediate targets." 

Article 6, or carbon markets, is a big concern among country experts, who highlighted the "lack of sufficient environmental and social safeguards, as well as the insufficient prioritization of non-market approaches."

As of writing, the Department of Energy has already released a circular on Article 6 with the overall Philippine Strategy still being finalized. 

The CCPI also took note of the Philippines missing the deadline for its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which affected the country's overall score.

With its climate action plan largely anchored on adaptation, the Philippines commits in its current NDC to slash 75% of its GHG emissions, of which 2.71% is unconditional. The remaining 72.29% is conditional, or needing international support. — GMA Integrated News