LONDON / MANILA — Assistant Majority Floor Leader and FPJ Panday Bayanihan Representative Brian Poe recently took the global stage at the London School of Economics (LSE) to present a comprehensive vision for the Philippines’ transition into a sustainable, green economy.
Addressing the LSESU Filipino Society, Poe’s lecture, titled “A Sustainable Future: Reimagining Development through a Philippine Lens,” highlighted critical legislative measures currently moving through the House of Representatives aimed at environmental resilience and global carbon market participation.
Poe did not mince words regarding the climate risks facing the Philippines. He shared staggering projections that could see 11 million Filipinos affected by extreme heat by 2030, rising to 74 million by 2050. Furthermore, sea-level rise could permanently displace up to 150,000 Filipinos by 2040.
“This is not only an environmental crisis. It is a profound economic threat,” Poe stated, noting that climate change could slash the national GDP by as much as 18 to 25 percent by 2050 if left unaddressed.
As a co-author of the proposed Circular Economy Act (House Bills 315, 2479, 4142, and 5069), Poe detailed plans to shift the country away from the “take-make-dispose” model. The legislation focuses on:
- Eco-design and product stewardship.
- Institutionalizing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
- Strengthening recycling systems and workforce reskilling for green industries in partnership with TESDA and DOLE.
A major part of the presentation focused on the Carbon Rights Act and the Low Carbon Economy Act. These proposals aim to establish a legal framework for carbon ownership and trading, allowing the Philippines to tap into international carbon credit markets. Poe believes these reforms will unlock massive investments in reforestation, renewable energy, and low-carbon infrastructure.
Beyond adaptation, Poe framed the green transition as an economic boon, citing that a clean energy pathway could generate 300,000 additional green jobs and attract roughly ₱5.8 trillion in investments.
In his closing remarks, Poe urged the Filipino diaspora and students abroad to bring their expertise back to the Philippines to help shape forward-looking policies. “We are not only responding to climate change,” he concluded. “We are legislating the future.”