Quezon City, Philippines, 1 April - ClientEarth and the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 23 March 2026 to advance environmental governance and sustainable energy development across watershed reservations in the Philippines.
At the MoU signing, ClientEarth Chief Executive Officer Laura Clarke and NAPOCOR President and Chief Executive Officer Jericho Jonas B. Nograles highlighted the urgency of the partnership amid the ongoing global energy crisis stemming from the instability in the Middle East, noting the need for stronger governance frameworks to balance energy security with environmental protection.
The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration over the next three years, including joint research, policy development, and regular coordination through a dedicated liaison committee.
“Amid growing global energy pressures, it is more important than ever to ensure that the transition to sustainable energy is grounded in strong environmental governance and respect for communities. This partnership with NAPOCOR reflects our commitment to working alongside governments to deliver practical, legally sound solutions that benefit both people and the planet,” emphasised Laura Clarke, CEO of ClientEarth.
This agreement marks ClientEarth’s first formal partnership with a Philippine government agency, signalling a significant step forward in strengthening legal and policy collaboration in the country.
Under the MoU, ClientEarth will provide legal and policy expertise to support NAPOCOR in enhancing environmental and forest governance in watershed areas under its management. The collaboration will focus on assessing reforestation and rehabilitation initiatives, examining their impacts on forest ecosystems, energy infrastructure, and renewable energy development, as well as on Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs).
Jericho Jonas B. Nograles, President and CEO of NAPOCOR added, ““We protect and enhance what we have.”
This collaboration hopes to strengthen NAPOCOR efforts to manage watershed reservations responsibly and transparently. NAPOCOR are committed to showcasing good governance, particularly in how we engage with Indigenous Peoples and local communities, while ensuring that our energy infrastructure supports long-term sustainability.
The partnership also includes capacity-building initiatives, legal research, and knowledge exchange to support NAPOCOR in implementing best practices in watershed management and sustainable development.
NAPOCOR, a government-owned and controlled corporation, plays a central role in powering off-grid and missionary areas across the Philippines while managing watershed reservations that support hydropower generation and broader energy infrastructure.
This MoU marks an important step in ClientEarth’s commitment to strengthening legal and governance frameworks for a just energy transition in Southeast Asia. By working with NAPOCOR, the organisation aims to support more integrated approaches to watershed management, where energy development, forest protection, and community rights are considered together.
The partnership also builds on ClientEarth’s growing engagement in the region, including its ongoing work with governments, policymakers, and stakeholders to advance legal solutions for clean energy and sustainable development, as well as its convening of dialogues, including the ‘The Role of the Law in Accelerating the Energy Transition in the Philippines’ panel event, which recently took place on 25 March in Manila.
— ENDS —
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is a non-profit environmental organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for—and with—its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. In Asia, we work with the private sector, civil society and government regulators to support the net zero transition through capacity building and legal analysis on topical issues including climate change, sustainability and the environment. From our offices in Europe, Asia and the USA we help build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Damon Yong
Asia Communications Manager
Email : dyong@clientearth.org
Mobile : +6596817776