Ant International, IFC, and GCash are developing a Sustainability Impact Scorecard designed to help micro, small, and medium enterprises measure environmental and social performance, adopt sustainable practices, and align with global ESG standards.
The scorecard will provide Philippine MSMEs with clear, accessible tools to assess sustainability performance, strengthen credibility, and unlock opportunities linked to ESG-aligned financing.
MSMEs account for 99.6 percent of Philippine businesses and employ more than two-thirds of the workforce, yet many continue to face limited access to financing.
Officials said the tool will help firms demonstrate sustainability practices, improve transparency, and strengthen their eligibility for green and sustainable finance products.
GCash group head for new businesses Winsley Bangit said the initiative is a game-changer, giving MSMEs visibility into their environmental and social impact while improving access to green capital.
Ant International vice president Carrie Suen said MSME impact cannot be overlooked, noting that the collaboration integrates environmental, social, and economic metrics and expands access to AI-enabled tools for small businesses.
IFC East Asia and Pacific advisory manager Christina Ongoma said MSMEs play a critical role across markets, and equipping them with better tools can strengthen resilience and enable sustainable growth at scale.
The pilot program will roll out in phases covering assessment, stakeholder engagement, scorecard development, validation, and field testing, with potential expansion across Asia-Pacific following initial results.
Developers said insights from the Philippine pilot could inform wider adoption across Southeast Asia, where MSME digitalization and sustainability reporting are gaining momentum. The collaboration is expected to bridge data gaps, standardize impact measurement, and accelerate access to climate-aligned funding. By integrating financial technology platforms with ESG frameworks, the initiative aims to make sustainability reporting more practical for smaller firms and support long-term inclusive growth in emerging markets officials added and strengthen sustainable finance ecosystems in the region further.
