Development Cooperation for a Climate Change-Resilient Philippines

For more than 40 years, the German government, through the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, has been working with the Philippine government in improving the lives
of Filipinos by strengthening the capacity of people and institutions. This partnership involves a range of
priority areas such as crisis prevention, promotion of environmental protection, school health, economic
development, decentralization and support for urban infrastructure. In keeping with the demand of the
times, the partnership also expanded since 2008 to include emerging concerns in climate change.
Germany supports developing and newly industrialized countries and countries in transition in achieving
their climate protection goals through the International Climate Initiative (ICI) of the German Federal
Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). ICI funds are initially
revenues from carbon emissions trading based on a cap and trade principle of certain greenhouse gases
that can be emitted by the factories, power plants and other installations in the system. Since 2013, ICI
funds are allocated under the regular budget of the German government. This generates new and
additional finance for supporting climate change measures. Also part of the ICI commitment is the
improvement of systems and framing of conditions related to sustainable forest management,
protected areas (marine and terrestrial) and biodiversity conservation. We are all part of the global
community. In the end, we all benefit from promoting sustainable development through technical
cooperation projects, Dr. Bernd-Markus Liss, GIZ Principal Advisor, stressed.
In keeping with the ICIs commitment, GIZ strengthens key institutions and supports the implementation
of pilot projects to mitigate the effects of climate change through the Support to the Climate Change
Commission in the Implementation of the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change and the
National Climate Change Action Plan (SupportCCC) project. Through knowledge and technology transfer,
and improvement of policies, SupportCCCs Renewable Energy Component sets the foundation for the
transition of the country to a low-carbon economy and development of sustainable alternative sources
of energy. Guided by GIZs concept of sustainable development, the Preparation of a National REDD-Plus
Mechanism for Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Conservation of Biodiversity in the Philippines (National
REDD-Plus System Philippines) project supports the protection and the sustainable use of forests to
conserve them in their function as carbon reservoirs as well as habitat for a rich biodiversity and as a
source of livelihood for all Filipinos. In addition, the Promotion of Green Economic Development
program promotes a climate-friendly economy.
Together with Philippine partners, such as the Climate Change Commission, National Economic and
Development Authority, Department of Energy and Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
among others, GIZ implements these projects to improve capacity to adapt to climate change impacts,
conserve biodiversity and contribute to reducing emissions.
This was recognized by CCC Secretary Mary Ann Lucille Sering, saying that Germany is committed to
assist the Philippines, but there are many things that have yet to be done.
GIZ also implements a number of programs and projects in the Philippines that address drivers of
vulnerability to climate change such as Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management in the
CARAGA Region, Environment and Rural Development Program, Adaption to Climate Change in Coastal
Areas, Support to the Implementation of the Tri-national Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion
Comprehensive Action Plan, Forest and Climate Protection in Panay Island and Protected Area
Management Enhancement in the Philippines. The portfolio also includes regional projects that benefit
the country such as the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity-Biodiversity Climate Change Project and Support
of the Political and Regulatory Framework Conditions of Pro-Poor Insurance Markets in Asia and Cities
Development Initiative for Asia.