ClientEarth and the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen environmental governance and support sustainable energy development across watershed areas in the Philippines.

The agreement, signed on March 23, 2026, establishes a three-year framework for collaboration covering joint research, policy development, and coordination through a dedicated liaison committee.

The partnership aims to enhance environmental governance in watershed reservations while advancing sustainable energy development, especially in these areas where energy infrastructure and ecological systems intersect.

NAPOCOR plays a key role in this effort, managing around 500,000 hectares of watershed reservations that support hydropower generation and broader energy infrastructure.

Watersheds are critical to both the country’s energy system and environmental stability. These areas serve as natural water sources for hydropower plants, help regulate water flow to prevent flooding and drought, and support biodiversity and forest ecosystems. 

Under the MoU, ClientEarth will provide legal and policy expertise to support NAPOCOR in improving governance practices. This includes services such as assessing reforestation and rehabilitation initiatives and evaluating their impacts on forest ecosystems, energy infrastructure, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

“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,” ClientEarth Chief Executive Officer Laura Clarke said. “This partnership with NAPOCOR reflects our commitment to working alongside governments to deliver practical, legally sound solutions that benefit both people and the planet.”

  “This partnership marks a significant step forward in strengthening our stewardship of some 500,000 hectares of watershed reservations in the Philippines,” NAPOCOR President and Chief Executive Officer Jericho Jonas B. Nograles said. “Beyond power generation, these areas are vital to ecological balance and survival of life, both our flora and fauna and humans alike.”

The collaboration also includes capacity-building initiatives, legal research, and knowledge exchange to support the adoption of best practices in watershed management.

The agreement also marks ClientEarth’s first formal partnership with a Philippine government agency and forms part of its broader efforts to support legal and governance frameworks for a just energy transition in Southeast Asia.

ClientEarth is an international non-profit environmental organization that uses legal and policy expertise to drive systemic change on climate, energy, and environmental issues. It works with governments, businesses, and civil society across multiple regions

Can stronger environmental governance help ensure a more sustainable energy transition in the Philippines?

Follow Power Philippines on Facebook and LinkedIn or join our Viber community for more updates.