Energy security: Nine ways the UN is supporting the Philippines

The Philippines’ energy system is shaped by longstanding challenges, such as high electricity prices, dependence on imported fuels, and climate related disruptions, all of which have become more acute amid global volatility in recent weeks. The United Nations has been working with the Government and communities to broaden clean energy access, support grid improvements and strengthen resilience — measures that contribute to a more secure and affordable energy future, as well as a healthier and more inclusive Philippines. 

Here are nine ways the United Nations is supporting the Philippines’ energy security:

1. Building a low carbon transport system 

Transport remains one of the country’s most oil-dependent sectors, representing a critical vulnerability to national energy security. In response, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has supported the Government in the development of an Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy and provided comprehensive macroeconomic and value chain analyses, strengthened local energy planning, and the deployment of solar-hybrid charging infrastructure solutions, along with innovative and viable business models to accelerate the transition toward low-carbon public transport. This project was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

UN-Habitat works with the government in promoting compact, mixed-use and transit-oriented urban development that aligns neighborhood growth with public transport corridors and stations, helping to shorten travel distances and reduce transport emissions. It also promotes to LGUs the value of people-centred street design, with reliable and affordable public transport so that low-carbon mobility becomes practical for daily travel. 

UN Women advocates for gender-responsive transport infrastructure planning, ensuring low carbon transport systems are accessible, well-lit, and safe for women commuters and workers in the sector, thereby increasing uptake and reducing transport-related emissions.

2. Streamlining offshore wind development

Offshore wind represents one of the Philippines’ largest long term domestic energy opportunities. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has supported the establishment of the permitting and licensing framework as well as a planning tool for the introduction of offshore wind power, which could facilitate up to 19 GW of electricity capacity. The country’s total energy generating capacity is around 30 GW, more than 40% of this from coal.

3. Preparing the grid for higher renewable energy integration

To ensure that new renewable energy capacity can be absorbed by the national grid, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and partners are strengthening smart grid development, power sector planning, and clean energy market frameworks. Support includes improved permitting rules, market readiness measures, and capacity building for energy regulators and distribution utilities. In parallel, UNOPS is working to advance smart grid implementation with electric cooperatives, helping to modernize distribution networks through digital solutions, advanced metering, and smarter energy management. These interventions improve grid stability and reduce exposure to fossil fuel price volatility. 

UNOPS has strengthened the capacity of the Department of Energy, the National Transmission Corporation, and the Energy Regulatory Commission to improve integrated generation and transmission planning, helping to identify the investments needed to connect renewable energy sources to the grid, align transmission development with rapid capacity expansion, and ease potential grid bottlenecks.

UNOPS has also delivered key assessments on energy storage, including pumped storage hydropower, to support grid reliability and enable greater use of solar and wind. At the market level, UNOPS has contributed to reforms in the wholesale electricity spot market to improve competition, transparency, and the integration of clean energy.

4. Making industries more energy efficient and climate smart

UNIDO is helping the Philippines reduce industrial energy demand through technical assistance for the financing of energy efficient design, the development of climate action standards for MSMEs, and support for the development of a climate smart industry roadmap. By improving energy performance in energy-intensive industrial sectors, including at MSMEs, the measures introduced under this project, supported by the Government of Germany, reduce overall electricity demand on the grid and improve the resilience of key productive sectors. 

UNIDO, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Government of Canada, developed the Philippines Cement Decarbonization Roadmap. The roadmap evaluates feasible technology options and decarbonization scenarios, identifying requirements for technology adoption, and ensuring robust private sector engagement. 

WHO has supported the Department of Health with development of Guidelines on Green and Safe Health Facilities, in which renewable energy and low carbon strategies are included.

Furthermore, WHO links industrial energy efficiency with occupational health, reducing worker exposure to pollutants and improving community air quality.

UN Women promotes tailored support to women entrepreneurs to access green financing, training, and cleaner production technologies, reducing both costs and environmental burdens.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) supports the Philippines in advancing energy security by engaging employers and workers to promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability as part of a just transition. It encourages enterprises, both multinational and domestic, to adopt greener practices that reduce environmental impact while creating jobs and improving working conditions. Through social dialogue and alignment with international labour standards, these efforts contribute to inclusive, low-carbon growth and more resilient energy use across industries.

5. Expanding solar powered, climate resilient housing for remote communities 

In Surigao City, UN-Habitat supported the construction of solar powered, climate resilient stilt housing for Sama Bajau indigenous families resettled from disaster-prone areas. These homes reduce dependence on costly and at times unreliable grid connections. This strengthens energy access and resilience for communities frequently cut off during storms, and can serve as a model for government roll-out of similar initiatives in other parts of the country. UN-Habitat is also working on piloting green, affordable housing projects under an ASEAN initiative. This includes integrating cost-effective practical solutions such as graywater treatment systems, rainwater harvesting and solar-ready retrofitting.

UN Women supports co-design with women residents of solar-powered housing, which reduces reliance on unsafe fuels often managed by women for cooking and lighting. 

6. Promoting a just green transition 

The ILO ensures that energy transition investments in the Philippines translate into jobs, skills, and sustainable economic returns. Recognizing that the success of the green transition depends not only on technology but also on the availability of a skilled workforce, the ILO is helping to establish industry-led apprenticeships and technical training aligned with renewable energy and infrastructure investments. 

Large-scale renewable projects sometimes overlook women’s participation in technical and leadership roles. UN Women supports women’s inclusion in energy governance and regulatory bodies. 

UN Women and UNEP support women, including entrepreneurs, by providing training that builds their knowledge and practical skills in renewable energy, helping them access green jobs in the historically male dominated energy sector.

UNOPS is supporting the development of BARMM’s Sustainable Energy Master Plan, helping the region articulate its own pathway toward reliable, affordable, and clean energy. This work strengthens local institutions, aligns regional priorities with national goals, and ensures that the benefits of the transition reach communities most in need. 

UN Women and UNEP supported the integration of gender perspectives into the Iloilo Provincial Renewable Energy Plan, creating a concrete model for LGUs to institutionalize gender-responsive energy and conservation strategies, including dedicated financing for renewable energy through a provincial resolution.

7. Strengthening energy resilience in food systems, health and education

Secure and reliable energy is a critical enabler of resilient food systems and essential health and education services particularly in climate vulnerable and geographically isolated areas. 

UNIDO is supporting the development of climate resilient water-energy-food infrastructure in Tawi-Tawi in the BARMM. This includes renewable energy-linked systems that power water systems including desalination, support to seaweed production, agriculture, and food processing services. By securing energy for essential services in remote provinces, the project, funded by the Adaptation Fund, helps reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions and climate shocks. 

Also in the BARMM, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is set to construct solar-powered ice block making plants in strategic locations to allow fishers to access ice much closer to fish landing sites. Besides lowering dependence on gasoline, these plans will also lead to decreased transport emissions and costs as fishers will no longer need to travel long distances just to preserve their catch. 

The World Food Programme (WFP), in support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, promotes community-led small farm reservoirs, ponds, and community gardens. This strengthens local water management and food production while reducing reliance on energy intensive irrigation, pumping, and long-distance food transport. Producing food closer to where it is consumed lowers fuel and electricity use, while diversifying livelihoods and improving access to nutritious food in climate vulnerable communities. In cooperation with the Government of BARMM, WFP has directly supposed over 30,000 people with climate resilience building activities such as rehabilitating watersheds and small farm reservoirs, reducing reliance on fossil fuels for food production.

WFP has assisted the Department of Information and Communications Technology to strengthen emergency telecommunications capacity by integrating solar-powered solutions that enable the emergency operations independent of grid power.

WHO advocates for reliable power in all health-care facilities and supports facility-level contingency planning to ensure continuity of infection prevention, diagnostics, and emergency care during grid disruptions. It provides technical guidance on vaccine cold chain reliability and promotes energy-efficient refrigeration systems in health facilities to safeguard medicines and vaccines, reducing risks of foodborne illness and compromised immunization programmes.

In parallel, UNDP is strengthening energy resilience in health systems in the BARMM: In Lanao del Sur, hybrid solar photovoltaic systems are being installed in health facilities to ensure reliable power for essential services, including cold storage for medicines and vaccines.

Children cannot afford to lose access to essential social services like health, education, and water and sanitation due to the energy crisis. UNICEF works with multiple national government agencies to support the adoption of solar power by schools, healthcare facilities, and water service providers. Investing in alternative, renewable energy for social services reduces operational costs over time while strengthening resilience and preparedness. 

8. Improving supply chain efficiency for agriculture and fisheries

Food supply chains in the Philippines are energy intensive, with cold storage facilities heavily reliant on electricity and diesel. By contributing to the National Cold Chain Industry Roadmap and supporting climate smart agrifood systems, FAO and UNIDO are helping to reduce energy waste, improve refrigeration efficiency, and stabilize food energy consumption. More efficient cold chains reduce pressure on the grid and help keep food systems operating during supply chain disruptions. Ten Cold Chain Innovation Hub demonstration pilot projects – developed through support from the Global Environment Fund – are expected to deliver energy savings of over 3,000 MWh and 9,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2040.

FAO is distributing heavy-duty cooler boxes to fishers in the BARMM to help reduce spoilage, leading to fewer fishing trips and reduced fuel costs. On top of this, providing refrigerated vans to fisher communities saves on fuel use as community-based organizations can consolidate their products and utilize a single, efficient transport system. 

UN Women works to provide women – who dominate micro and small-scale food retail and fisheries post-harvest activities – equal access to cold storage facilities and training in energy-efficient practices.

A WFP-backed initiative to source nutritious food for school feeding programmes locally from farmers reduces energy use associated with food storage, transport, and imports, while ensuring reliable access to safe, nutritious meals for children in school. 

9. Strengthening shock responsive social protection systems to help households absorb energy volatility

WFP supports the Government to strengthen adaptive and shock responsive social protection, so assistance can be scaled rapidly and effectively in response to climate and other shocks, such as the energy crisis. This support enables government agencies to identify energy-exposed vulnerable households, and focus on those pushed into distress by fuel price hikes.

UNICEF is supporting the government to advance adaptive and shock-responsive social protection, so that when system-wide disruptions or climate shocks affect household incomes, timely cash support is provided. These payments provide vulnerable families with a critical buffer in times of crisis – including energy crises – while also helping governments respond more efficiently by easing pressure on emergency services. This intervention helps preserve children’s access to essential services, even amid economic volatility and shocks.

Through the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transition, the ILO supports the integration of shock-responsive social protection into energy transition strategies. Through social dialogue, the ILO reduces implementation risks during the shift to cleaner energy systems.

In Cagayan Province, FAO builds on existing shock-responsive social protection systems to provide support to the most vulnerable rural communities impacted by the typhoon. Farmers and fishers enrolled in the Department of Agriculture's Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture, who were previously impacted by consecutive typhoons in the province, have received PHP 17,000 each in livelihood assistance, part of which they utilized to purchase fuel for their boats and farm machineries, reducing the impact of the rising fuel costs.

Working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform in the BARMM, WHO advocates for shock-responsive social protection systems that safeguard household access to food, water, and healthcare during energy price spikes or supply disruptions. WHO emphasizes health equity in energy interventions, ensuring vulnerable families maintain essential health services during crises.

UN Women’s Transforming Care Economy initiative in Quezon City embeds gender equality into energy-related social protection: By integrating into the care economy gender-responsive and energy-saving measures, such as targeted energy subsidies and renewable-powered community-based care facilities, social protection can reduce inequities, support women’s cooperatives, and bolster resilience. This approach positions women as key actors in shaping inclusive energy security strategies.

Energy security in support of the SDGs

“From offshore wind readiness to industrial efficiency, from solar powered housing, schools and health care facilities, the UN’s work in the Philippines directly strengthens the country’s energy security while advancing inclusive, climate resilient development,” said Arnaud Peral, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines. “These initiatives help reduce dependence on volatile global energy markets, promote locally sourced clean energy, and ensure that communities — from megacities to remote islands — have the stable energy access they need for a more resilient future.”