Metro Manila – The Philippines took a significant step forward in addressing its plastic waste crisis with the launch of the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), a multi-stakeholder platform designed to foster collaboration across sectors and accelerate the country’s transition to a circular economy.

Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), NPAP Philippines brought together leaders from the government, private sector, civil society, academia, and development partners to co-develop holistic and inclusive solutions to plastic pollution. 

The launch of NPAP Philippines was spearheaded by DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Canada's Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. David Hartman, UK Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Laure Beaufils, World Economic Forum Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) Director Clemence Schmid, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran. 

Plastic Pollution: An Urgent Call to Action

Plastic waste remains a critical challenge for the Philippines, generating approximately 2.7 million metric tons annually, with a significant portion ending up in the ocean. This places the country among the top contributors to marine plastic pollution globally.

“This crisis extends far beyond environmental. It threatens our biodiversity, undermines livelihoods and jeopardizes public health, imposing significant economic costs,” emphasized DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga during the launch. “The NPAP represents a pivotal step forward. It is a dynamic and inclusive mechanism designed to unify and amplify our collective efforts. This platform will truly catalyze a transition to a circular economy, one that views plastic waste not as an insurmountable burden but as an opportunity.”

Fostering Multistakeholder Collaboration for a Circular Economy 

The NPAP provides a unifying platform to transition from a “take-make-waste” linear economic model to a circular economy, where resources are used efficiently, waste is minimized, and materials are reused. By prioritizing sustainable consumption and production, circular economy not only reduces emissions and pollution but also fosters innovation, green job creation, resilience, and equity.

The platform’s multi-stakeholder approach builds on existing efforts and leverages the strengths of government, private sector, civil society, academia and science organizations, and development partners. 

NPAP Philippines is part of the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), an initiative of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and supported by the Governments of the United Kingdom and Canada and the Coca-Cola Foundation. The platform aligns its efforts with key national policies, including the Philippine Development Plan, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act, and the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production, as well as the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to climate action.

"By uniting government, businesses, and civil society, we translate global and national commitments into tangible actions, fostering a circular plastic economy by 2040," says Clemence Schmid, the WEF GPAP Director. Both Ambassador David Hartman and Ambassador Laure Beaufils of the Governments of Canada and the United Kingdom expressed their wholehearted support. “Through this Partnership, Canada is pleased to support the Philippines as it mobilizes a platform for action to reduce plastic pollution in the country," said H.E. David Hartman, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Canada in the Philippines. H.E. Laure Beaufils, Ambassador of the United Kingdom in the Philippines, remarked, “The UK is immensely proud to support the Philippines’ National Plastics Action Partnership. This platform will be essential to set a common vision and roadmap to halt plastic pollution in the Philippines."

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) serves as the host organization for the NPAP’s Secretariat, a neutral body that collaborates with the NPAP Steering Board to provide technical and operational support, oversee the development of the National Plastic Action Roadmap, foster inclusive partnerships, and monitor progress towards NPAP’s objectives.

“At UNDP, we are honored to serve as the NPAP Philippines Secretariat, working closely with stakeholders to address plastic pollution. We are committed to fostering collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity in all our initiatives,” said Dr. Selva Ramachandran, UNDP Resident Representative. 

NPAP will prioritize the creation of a comprehensive plastic baseline analysis and a National Plastic Action Roadmap to guide evidence-based strategies aligned with national priorities. This roadmap will integrate a gender and social inclusion strategy, ensuring that marginalized groups, including informal waste pickers, are included in the transition to a circular economy.

Secretary Loyzaga further highlighted the importance of collaboration by saying that: “To see leaders, innovators, and advocates united under one purpose is a profound demonstration of our shared commitment to a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. Your participation today lays the foundation for transformative action that transcends sectors and creates meaningful impact."

The NPAP targets to bring diverse sectors of society together to drive innovation, implement actionable strategies, and support the Philippines’ transition toward a circular economy. By working collectively, NPAP seeks to create lasting change and reduce plastic pollution, setting a pathway for inclusive sustainable development in the Philippines. 

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About NPAP Philippines

The National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) Philippines is a locally driven platform uniting leaders from government, business, development organizations and civil society to tackle plastic pollution and transition to a circular economy. Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, it is supported by the World Economic Forum’s Global Plastic Action Partnership and partners like the UK Government, the Government of Canada, and the Coca-Cola Foundation.