The Climate Change Commission (CCC) gathered stakeholders for the Nationally Determined Contribution consultation ahead of the submission of its updated version to the UNFCCC. The hybrid session was held at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development office in Quezon City, with some participants also joining online via Zoom. MANILA – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) convened stakeholders to refine the Philippines’ updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of its submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje underscored the importance of the consultation in ensuring coherence and readiness for implementation. “This NDC reflects a one-country team approach: A whole-of-government alignment in policy and planning, a whole-of-economy approach to analysis and the mobilization of investment and systems, and a whole-of-society engagement that keeps our actions grounded and credible,” Borje said. The draft NDC 2026 text—developed by national government agencies—was presented to stakeholders from civil society organizations, marginalized groups, academia, private sector and development partners. The consultation aimed to validate its clarity and technical soundness and to identify remaining gaps ahead of submission. Borje also said the updated NDC strengthens several elements needed for implementation. “Importantly, this updated NDC integrates elements that enable delivery—just transition considerations, strengthened climate finance and other means of implementation, nature-based solutions, and more robust systems for transparency and monitoring.” CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera said the consultation inputs would be reviewed and reflected in the final text. “Today’s consultation makes clear that the direction we are taking is being tested against real conditions on the ground. The NDC is being shaped by the very people and institutions who will help carry it forward,” Herrera said. John Leo Algo of Aksyon Klima, a civil society organization, said this year’s NDC consultations showed progress in transparency and inclusivity. "More consultations were held by the CCC and other agencies nationwide, and we from civil society also conducted our own to ensure more voices are brought to the policymaking table. While improvements such as timelier communications and feedback on how stakeholder inputs are integrated into the document should be made, this was a step in the right direction towards a 'whole-of-society' approach to climate action." The NDC serves as the country’s roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening climate action. In its 2021 submission, the Philippines committed to a projected 75 percent emissions reduction and avoidance from 2020 to 2030. The targets cover key sectors and their responsible agencies. Energy is led by the Department of Energy (DOE); transport by the Department of Transportation (DOTr); industrial processes and product use, waste, and forest and other land use by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); and agriculture by the Department of Agriculture (DA). The NDC 2026 is co-led by the CCC and DENR, in coordination with national government agencies and development partners. The event convened over 200 participants through a hybrid format, bringing together representatives from 14 national government agencies, 22 development partners, 35 civil society organizations and non-profit organizations, 5 academic institutions, 3 marginalized groups, and 26 private sector entities—reflecting a broad, whole-of-society consultation. The NDC advances the priorities of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines, supporting the country’s transition toward low-carbon development, strengthened climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth. The CCC remains committed to an inclusive and transparent process in finalizing the country’s NDC, to ensure a credible and workable climate action pathway for the Philippines. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
The Climate Change Commission (CCC) convenes stakeholders and development partners during the first organizational meeting of the Gender and Climate Change Advisory Group. MANILA — In a decisive move to ensure that climate action benefits all Filipinos equitably, the Climate Change Commission (CCC), in partnership with national agencies and development partners, has formally launched the organizational phase for the implementation of the Philippines' Nationally Determined Contribution Gender Action Plan (NDC-GAP) 2024–2030. This milestone was marked by the inaugural meeting of the Gender and Climate Change Advisory Group (GCAG), a multi-sectoral body tasked with steering the Plan into concrete action. The GCAG is co-chaired by CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera, Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Deputy Executive Director Anita E. Baleda of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). The meeting convened a broad coalition of core agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), alongside partner agencies such as the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev). Providing critical support for this endeavor are development partners, including the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with technical assistance led by the Miriam College - Women and Gender Institute (MC-WAGI). The GCAG meeting successfully forged a unified implementation strategy for the six-year plan, clarified member roles and responsibilities, and identified immediate priority actions to sustain momentum across all government levels. Officials underscored the profound importance of this coordinated action. "The implementation of the NDC GAP marks an important step for the Philippines. It moves us from mere recognition that climate change is not gender neutral, to concrete action, by putting gender and social inclusion squarely into how we plan, implement, monitor, and improve our climate actions,” highlighted by Commissioner Herrera. The operationalization of the NDC-GAP through the GCAG ensures that our climate policies and investments actively work to reduce systemic inequalities and empower the most vulnerable sectors of our society. Echoing this sentiment, PCW Deputy Executive Director Baleda stated, “[...] Our work must extend beyond dialogue. This platform should catalyze concrete, institutionalized actions that strengthen gender-responsive climate governance across agencies and sectors. The PCW remains steadfast in its commitment to provide policy guidance and advisory support in advancing inclusive climate action.” Providing a sectoral perspective, Undersecretary Rebuelta-Teh defined the GCAG formation as a strategic move that will concretely impact NDC actions. "We are equally vigilant in tracking the implementation plan for the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Uses (AFOLU) sector, which is another critical component of our NDC." In closing, Mr. Gautier Singh-Kohler, Deputy Country Director for the Philippines at the Agence Française de Développement, reaffirmed AFD’s full support for the initiative while reiterating that the work should not create an undue administrative burden. Instead, he underscored the importance of harmonizing and strengthening existing accountability systems, with particular emphasis on fostering greater convergence between adaptation and mitigation streams. He concluded that the initiative is "not only a platform for accountability, but also a strategic platform where gender can be mainstreamed and pushed towards all the different streams of government work." Looking ahead, the GCAG will prioritize the finalization of its membership composition and operational guidelines, complete a comprehensive stakeholder mapping exercise, and initiate capacity-building sessions for designated GAD Focal Points across all member agencies. These foundational activities will pave the way for the development of gender-responsive policy guidance and the establishment of robust monitoring tools to track progress and financing for gender and climate action at both the national and local levels. “The NDC GAP will only be as effective as the relationships and trust we build across institutions. The GCAG is a space for that—to surface challenges early, align policies and tools, and learn from each other as we move forward. We look forward to working closely with all of you as we collectively advance the implementation of the NDC GAP from 2024 to 2030,” CCC Commissioner Herrera said. This will ensure that the NDC-GAP delivers on its commitment to support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration’s vision of an inclusive and climate-resilient future for the Philippines.
Driving climate action at scale. The Climate Change Commission (CCC) presents a science-based framework for climate resilience and low-carbon development to the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and Regional Development Council (RDC), and underscores the role of local government units in addressing climate risks across the National Capital Region. PASIG CITY — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) presented its science-based climate action and priority areas for collaboration to the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and Regional Development Council (RDC), aiming to strengthen regional coordination and accelerate climate action across the National Capital Region (NCR). The presentation outlined the national climate scenario, key policies, and a partnership strategy that brings climate science into urban systems and decision-making, with direct implications for the region’s local government units (LGUs). At the core of the Commission’s message is the need to move from fragmented responses to a systems-based approach, integrating climate risk data, projections, and policy frameworks into critical sectors such as flood management, transport, solid waste, and land use planning. This approach enables LGUs to better anticipate risks, reduce asset loss, and protect communities from compounding climate impacts. “It’s critically important that we provide support for the planning ahead. We are encouraged by the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which emphasizes a systems-based approach to the issue of climate change and addressing its impact,” CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said. “We underscore that climate change does not arrive as a single-footed event.” In the presentation, the CCC also highlighted the section of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) that tackles the Climate Impact Drivers (CIDs) exposure level of LGUs in the NCR. This included sea level rise, extreme sea levels, increased temperature and droughts, fluvial flooding, and extreme weather. With this, the Commission emphasized that climate risks in Metro Manila are increasingly interconnected and multi-hazard, requiring coordinated, region-wide strategies. These initiatives are designed to strengthen LGU capacities as frontline actors in climate action, enhancing their ability to integrate climate change into local development plans, access financing, and implement resilience-building measures on the ground. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairperson Atty. Romando S. Artes expressed the agency’s full support for the CCC’s mandate and its drive for science-based climate action across the region, and pushed for creating a technical working group moving forward. He underscored the importance of sustained collaboration in advancing climate resilience and safeguarding Metro Manila communities. Moreover, Artes expressed the MMDA’s commitment to work with CCC to advance the transformative climate agenda and science-based planning. The joint MMC-RDC platform, which serves as both the policy-making body for metro-wide governance and the region’s development council, provides a strategic venue to align national climate commitments with regional planning and local implementation. The meeting was attended by 13 Metro Manila mayors, with some of them joining online. The CCC also called on these local chief executives to take part in the National Climate Resilience Forum in July 2026, which aims to further align policies, investments, and partnerships toward a climate-resilient and low-carbon future. Through sustained engagement with the MMC and RDC, the CCC continues to push for a regional, systems-driven approach to climate governance — one that translates science into action, strengthens LGU capacities, and minimizes economic and asset losses across Metro Manila.
The Climate Change Commission joins the 2nd Adaptation Investment Forum, highlighting the importance of investing in adaptation efforts to strengthen resilience against climate change. TAGUIG CITY — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) underscored the importance of strengthening climate resilience through strategic investments during the 2nd Adaptation Investment Forum. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E. A. Borje emphasized that strengthening climate adaptation requires not only identifying solutions but also building the systems and investment pathways needed to implement them effectively. “The challenge of adaptation does not stop at discovering solutions. It also involves organizing institutions and creating investment pathways so solutions can actually happen,” Borje said. The Philippine Adaptation Investment Platform (AIP), launched at the Forum, is an innovative mechanism designed to mobilize investments for climate adaptation initiatives, particularly those that protect and strengthen economically important yet highly climate-exposed food crops across the Philippines. The AIP will support pilot implementations in several areas across the country, including Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Bukidnon, and Isabela, focusing on climate-resilient initiatives for key crops such as sugarcane, rice, coffee, corn, and other high-value agricultural products. These initiatives aim to help protect the livelihoods of farming communities whose incomes depend on climate-sensitive agricultural production. The AIP supports the implementation of the country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), which adopts a science-based and risk-informed approach to strengthening resilience across sectors and communities. Developed under the leadership of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the NAP serves as the Philippines’ long-term roadmap toward building climate-resilient and climate-smart communities. CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera urged local government units and development partners to take a proactive approach in prioritizing climate initiatives and investments. “To our local governments: bring forward your priority projects—we are building mechanisms to help you structure, finance, and scale them. To our development partners and financial institutions: strengthen early-stage support, deploy catalytic capital, and help scale what works.” Complementing the launch was the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Adaptation Investment Learning Course (AILC), which aims to support the localization of the NAP by equipping local governments and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to develop viable adaptation investment projects. The learning course is designed to help translate local climate knowledge into actionable and bankable adaptation initiatives that can attract investments and deliver tangible benefits to communities. Borje highlighted the importance of strengthening knowledge and capacity to help turn climate plans into concrete investments at the local level. “Knowledge and capacity-building must become a launchpad for a pipeline of evidence-based adaptation investments. When investments reach the local level, the results are immediate and practical,” he added. The event was co-presented by key national government agencies together with the CCC, with support from the United Kingdom Government led by Ambassador Sarah Hulton. The CCC continues to advance partnerships and financing mechanisms that transform climate plans into concrete actions that protect communities, livelihoods, and the country’s food systems. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
The Climate Change Commission participates in the Summit on Enhancing Interagency Harmony and Integration in Philippine Sectoral Development Planning in Pasay City, promoting coordination and climate integration. PASAY CITY — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) called for stronger climate governance integration, interagency coordination, and policy harmonization in development planning during the Interagency Summit for Philippine Sectoral Development Planning held at the Philippine International Convention Center. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E. A. Borje emphasized the importance of strengthening policy coherence while ensuring that climate change considerations are integrated into development strategies across sectors. “Our policies must align across sectors such as agriculture, water resources, energy systems, land use, infrastructure, and environmental management. National strategies must translate effectively into regional planning frameworks and ultimately into local implementation,” he said. Borje also underscored the importance of national climate policy frameworks in guiding integrated and science-based development planning. “The risks we face today are systemic. And if risks are systemic, our governance response must also become systemic,” he added. The discussion highlighted key policy frameworks, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP), which serve as guiding instruments for the country’s climate and development pathways. The NAP, developed under the leadership of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aims to steadily reduce climate-related loss and damage while enhancing the country’s adaptive capacity. The plan outlines long-term strategies to achieve transformative resilience and sustainable economic development by 2050. Meanwhile, the NDCIP supports the country’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030, guiding coordinated implementation across sectors and institutions. The summit also formed part of the ongoing effort from the Draft Action Agenda aimed at strengthening interagency collaboration, policy alignment, and integrated planning across national government agencies and local government units. The event was organized by the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources, bringing together representatives from national government agencies, local governments, civil society organizations, development partners, the academe, and the media to advance more coherent and coordinated development planning in the Philippines. The CCC reaffirmed its commitment to support interagency collaboration to ensure that the Draft Action Agenda evolves into a robust framework for integrated, agile, science-based, and climate-resilient development planning for the country. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
