The new age of mining under the energy transition poses significant risk of exacerbating climate inequities. The increased demand for transition minerals necessary for the production of green technologies has led to the fast-tracking of mineral licenses within climate-vulnerable, fragile, and corruption-prone states such as the Philippines. The Philippines, ranking second globally in nickel production, emerges as a targeted destination for foreign investment due to its role as the second largest producer of nickel, supplying essential elements for low-carbon technologies and electric vehicles. However, the Philippines’ mining sector contributes less than 1% to the nation’s GDP, with large-scale mining provinces host to amongst the highest poverty incidences in the nation.

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The Philippines' energy transition poses an emblematic case for analysis as the nation boasts the fifth-largest nickel and fourth-largest cobalt and copper reserves globally and is recognized as among the leading countries most at risk from the climate crisis. Despite contributing 0.48 percent to global GHG emissions in 2018, the Philippines is one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries. Moreover, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Philippines has projected an increase in 190 mining projects within the next 4 years under the transition mineral boom.
 
This scoping study identifies governance vulnerabilities, maps transition mineral value chains, and examines climate and energy policy landscapes in the Philippines. It also illustrates the nation’s status within the global energy transition agenda. Specifically, this report provides an overview of the transition minerals of nickel, copper, chromite, and cobalt in the Philippines.

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