An Exploration of the Data on Global Warming Potential and Its Correlates for the City of Naga and the Province of Camarines Sur

Abstract

This study examined tree cover loss and its socio- economic factors in Naga City and Camarines Sur, Philippines, highlighting the urgent need to monitor forest changes amid rapid environmental shifts. Traditional ground- based methods in the region face limitations due to fragmented geography and limited resources. To address this, satellite imagery from Global Forest Watch (GFW) was used to assess tree cover loss from 2000 to 2020. The study introduced the Forest Cover Performance Index (FCPI) to compare forest conservation performance across local government units. This index was correlated with the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), focusing on pillars like Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation and non- parametric tests, with significance set at p <. .05. Results showed a loss of over 14, 854 hectares of tree cover, producing carbon emissions equivalent to 8, 140.41 kilotonnes of CO2 e, known as the Global Warming Potential (GWP). Tree cover gains during the same period were minimal. Significant positive correlations were found between FCPI and the CMCI pillars of Economic Dynamism (p =. .048) and Infrastructure (p <. .001), especially with sub- indicators such as Financial Deepening, Employment Generation, Local Economic Growth, Size of Local Economy, Productivity, and Safety- compliant Businesses. Conversely, educational infrastructure showed a significant negative correlation with FCPI. These findings highlight the usefulness of remote sensing for environmental monitoring, reveal the extent of forest loss and its climate impact, and emphasize the importance of economic and infrastructure development as key drivers of deforestation. The study recommends integrating environmental considerations into local development plans, prioritizing forest protection, strengthening monitoring systems, improving data quality, and institutionalizing the FCPI as a policy tool for informed decision- making.