State of Nature Assessment

Green Convergence, in partnership with Visayas State University (VSU), convened Green SONA 2025 on September 3–4, 2025, in Baybay City, Leyte, under the theme “Ecosystems Integrity: A Must for Philippine Sustainability.” The annual gathering brought together representatives from government, academe, civil society, business, media, and local communities to examine regional and national environmental challenges, including climate change, flooding, landslides, logging, quarrying, and waste management. Discussions highlighted Leyte’s resilience and climate adaptation efforts following Typhoon Yolanda, while participants also took part in an Ako Ang Bukas climate change and carbon footprint seminar-workshop and a tree-planting activity.

As climate change continues to pose significant threats to global and local ecosystems, the 2024 State of Nature Assessment (Green SONA 2024) will convene environmental experts, government officials, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to discuss the critical challenges and sustainable solutions in response to this growing crisis. With the theme “Climate Change: Challenge to Sustainability,” this year’s conference will be held on August 28-29, 2024, at the Student and Alumni Center of the Tarlac Agricultural University.

The Green SONA comprehensively reviews environmentally significant events and issues from the past year, organized annually by Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment, and Sustainable Economy (Green Convergence). It serves as a platform for various sectors to engage in dialogue, share insights, and promote sustainable practices that align with the ecological development paradigm.

The State of the Nation’s Environment (SONA) 2023 was successfully held as a 1½-day environmental forum in General Santos City, Mindanao, in partnership with Notre Dame of Dadiangas University. The gathering brought together around 200–300 participants, including students, representatives from government, business, the Church, civil society organizations, environmental groups, and other key sectors.
With support from funding agencies, sponsors, and partners, SONA 2023 provided a platform for meaningful discussions on urgent environmental concerns affecting Mindanao and the Philippines. The forum encouraged dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative action toward sustainable solutions.
The discussions centered on major environmental challenges, including:
Responsible Mining and Natural Resource Management
SONA 2023 examined the role of mining in national economic development and the need to balance resource utilization with environmental protection and social responsibility. The forum highlighted concerns surrounding the Tampakan mining project in South Cotabato, one of the world’s largest undeveloped gold-copper deposits, particularly in light of renewed discussions on open-pit mining.
Protecting Sarangani Bay and Coastal Biodiversity
The forum highlighted the ecological importance of Sarangani Bay and the growing threats posed by pollution and unsustainable activities. Stakeholders discussed the need for stronger conservation efforts to protect marine biodiversity and sustain coastal resources.
Watershed Conservation and Water Security
The degradation of watersheds was identified as a critical concern affecting water availability, biodiversity, and other essential life-support systems. SONA 2023 emphasized the importance of restoring and protecting these vital ecosystems.
Solid Waste Management and Landfill Challenges
The forum also addressed the continuing challenges in solid waste management, including the misconception that landfills alone can solve waste pollution. Discussions focused on the need for stronger implementation of the Solid Waste Management Act and the promotion of sustainable waste reduction, recovery, and management practices.
The environmental issues discussed during SONA 2023 reflected challenges shared across the Philippines, an archipelagic country with interconnected landscapes and seascapes. Through this gathering, stakeholders gained deeper insights into both regional and national environmental realities and strengthened collaboration toward building a more sustainable and resilient future.

Green SONA 2022 was held on August 26, 2022, in Bacolod City, in partnership with the University of St. La Salle Bacolod, Philippine Normal University Visayas, the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod, and other key partners who joined the initiative.
Amid the continuing challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing impacts of climate change, the Philippines faced significant environmental concerns that required collective action. During this period, issues such as the depletion of the Malampaya gas fields, proposals for expanded port facilities in Batangas that could affect the Verde Island Passage—the global center of marine biodiversity—and the inclusion of nuclear energy in the country’s energy mix highlighted the urgent need for sustainable and ecologically responsible solutions. The approval of genetically modified Golden Rice for commercial propagation also sparked discussions on food systems and technologies aligned with Green Convergence’s Unity Principles.
Bacolod City was a meaningful venue for Green SONA 2022 as Negros Island continues to serve as a model for sustainable development. Recognized as a center for renewable energy initiatives and a leader in organic agriculture, Negros’ experiences and innovations offered valuable insights that could contribute to shaping national environmental policies.
The conference also highlighted pressing environmental concerns in Western Visayas, including infrastructure projects that pose risks to critical ecosystems. Discussions included the Patag-Calatrava Road project traversing protected forest areas in Northern Negros and the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge, which raised concerns regarding the protection of critically endangered dolphins in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait. These issues reflected broader biodiversity challenges faced by communities across the country.
Through Green SONA 2022, Green Convergence strengthened its call for individual and collective action through the Ako ang Bukas movement, encouraging Filipinos to take part in the global commitment toward achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
The conference was conducted through a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual participation while ensuring the safety and accessibility of participants. Green SONA 2022 brought together representatives from the academe, government, business sector, Church, civil society organizations, and environmental advocates to advance conversations and commitments toward a sustainable future.

As climate change continues to pose significant threats to global and local As global temperatures continue to rise, the Earth’s climate system faces unprecedented challenges that threaten nature and humanity alike. Scientific assessments have consistently shown that global warming has intensified since the Industrial Revolution due to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases generated by human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, unsustainable consumption patterns, and environmentally harmful development practices. These realities underscore the urgent need for governments, scientists, businesses, civil society, and citizens to work together toward sustainable climate solutions.
Against this backdrop, Kamayan Para sa Kalikasan Forum presented the State of Nature Assessment (Green SONA) 2021, entitled “Climate Change: Dare We Hope?” Held online on September 17, 2021, the forum brought together experts, advocates, and participants from various sectors to examine the climate crisis through the local perspective of the Bicol Region.
The discussions highlighted the impacts of climate change, explored practical and sustainable solutions, and emphasized the collective responsibility of individuals, communities, institutions, and policymakers in addressing the climate emergency. The forum also reinforced the importance of pursuing climate neutrality by 2050 through informed action, collaboration, and long-term environmental stewardship.
Green SONA 2021 served as a platform for meaningful dialogue, raising awareness and inspiring greater commitment toward building a more resilient, sustainable, and climate-conscious future.

The year 2020 will always be remembered as the year the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. It brought unprecedented challenges to public health and safety, placed immense pressure on frontliners, and disrupted lives and livelihoods across the globe. Lockdowns and strict social distancing measures significantly reduced human activity, resulting in temporary environmental improvements such as clearer skies and cleaner air in many parts of the world.
However, Green SONA 2020 encouraged participants to look beyond these temporary changes and ask a more important question: Did nature truly benefit, or were emerging and long-standing environmental issues simply overshadowed by the pandemic? The forum highlighted concerns such as the growing volume of pandemic-related waste and the continued environmental impacts of activities like mining that persisted despite the global health crisis.
To address these timely issues, Green Convergence conducted the 2020 State of Nature Assessment (Green SONA) entitled “Krisis: COVID at Kalikasan” on August 21, 2020, via Zoom. The online forum brought together experts, environmental advocates, and participants from various sectors to examine the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental sustainability. The discussions emphasized the importance of addressing both public health and environmental challenges through integrated, long-term, and sustainable solutions.

Green Convergence, together with the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and the Forest Foundation Philippines, and with the support of Partnership for Clean Air, Palawan State University, Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (PNNI), and the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), held the 2019 State of Nature Assessment Pilipinas at the Hue Hotel, Puerto Princesa City, on August 27, 2019.
The event tackled the threats to the integrity of the Philippine environment and discussed the actions that different members of society must take to counter them. Speakers included Atty. Gerthie Mayo-Anda of ELAC, Atty. Bobby Chan of PNNI, Father Pete Montallana of Save Sierra Madre Network, Assistant Vice President Miko de Vera of EDC, Executive Director Rodne Galicha of Living Laudato Si, Atty. Jenny Ramos of Oceana Philippines and Kimberly Alvarez of Kaisahan.
The concerns brought up by the speakers and the audience were given a reaction and response by DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado.
Green SONA is an annual gathering of the members of civil society organizations, the academe, the Church, the media, the indigenous communities, and other sectors to assess the state of the Philippine environment.

Green SONA 2018 brought together leading environmental advocates, experts, and stakeholders to discuss some of the most pressing threats facing the Philippine environment at Albergo Hotel, Baguio City. Resource speakers from key environmental organizations, including MASIPAG, Alyansa Tigil Mina, and the Forest Foundation Philippines, highlighted critical environmental challenges such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), nuclear power, large-scale mining, and giant dams
The forum also explored sustainable solutions and showcased how “green heroes”—through renewable energy, organic agriculture, and reforestation—can help address these environmental issues. Representatives from relevant national government agencies were invited to provide their perspectives and responses, fostering a meaningful dialogue among civil society, government, and the public.
The event served as a platform to promote environmental awareness, encourage informed discussions, and strengthen collaboration toward a more sustainable and resilient Philippine