DENR Climate Change Service

22/05/2026

DENR Usec. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh opened the National Conference for the Finalization of the 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP 2024–2040) — our national roadmap for protecting nature.

Key highlights of her message:

✅ Progress and gaps. Past protected area networks covered ~13.5% of land but left habitat loss unchecked outside borders; PBSAP expands protection to include Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and remaps Key Biodiversity Areas.

✅ Urgent needs. The Philippines faces a biodiversity financing gap of roughly US$530M/year with current public spending ~US$100M — an ~80% shortfall.

✅ Framing for the 7th Report. Stocktake across 7 priorities — climate-biodiversity nexus, loss & damage, just transition, behavior change, biodiversity financing, green economy transition, and future work.

✅ Policy shifts. PBSAP emphasizes nature-based solutions (mangroves, peatlands, forests), integrating Just Transition, and mainstreaming finance tools like Integrated Protected Area Fund, trust funds, and nature-related financial risk in banking.

She thanked partners and looks forward to a proposed Executive Order to formalize PBSAP implementation, multi-stakeholder monitoring, and linkage to Regional Development Councils for localization.

The conference is a pivotal moment: strong national policy now needs accelerated, resourced, and localized action from funding rangers and enforcing marine sanctuaries to empowering communities with green livelihoods. Join us in supporting the PBSAP: share this post, hold leaders accountable, and back community-led conservation for a climate-resilient Philippines.

08/05/2026

08/05/2026

06/05/2026

ICYMI | At the Land Management Bureau’s culminating activity for National Women’s Month, Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, DENR Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems, and Climate Change and Chairperson of the DENR National Gender and Development Focal Point System, delivered a powerful message: true climate resilience begins with gender-equitable land rights.

She reminded us that land is more than property; it is dignity, security, and survival. Drawing on the “Lead Like Babaylans: Filipinas” theme, USec. Rebuelta-Teh urged the LMB, LGU partners (including Pasig City and Taytay, Rizal), and all champions of gender equality to make women’s secure land tenure the norm, not the exception.

Key highlights from her address:

1️⃣ Data-driven reforms. Land Administration and Management System (LAMS) now integrates sex-disaggregated data to track equity in land awards.

2️⃣ Access made easier. “Scaling Up the Free Patent” initiatives and DAO reforms reduce barriers, bringing titling services to barangays and cutting processing burdens.

3️⃣ Culture and advocacy. Creative GAD initiatives (GADakilaan ng Kawani Awards, Ms. GAD LMB, Men in Heels, Spoken Poetry) build empathy and challenge norms.

4️⃣ Climate-smart solutions. Push for green financing linked to land titles, integration of GIS climate-risk maps, and Gender-Responsive Land Use Planning to protect women from displacement.

5️⃣ The 4C Strategy. Commitment (go to the communities), Clarity (plain-language outreach), Collaboration (across bureaus and LGUs), and Courage (defend rightful female heirs).

USec. Rebuelta-Teh’s charge is clear: we must manage land with both equity and foresight so every Filipina can be anchored to her land, resilient against the changing climate. Let us carry this momentum forward and ensure no one is left behind.

05/05/2026

Philippines and Singapore Sign Article 6.2 Implementation Agreement at ASEAN Climate Week

The Philippines and Singapore signed last April 30, 2026, the Philippines–Singapore Implementation Agreement (IA) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, establishing a bilateral framework for high‑integrity climate cooperation and the transfer of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs).

The signing, held during ASEAN Climate Week, was led by Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Minister Grace Fu of Singapore’s Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment.

The Agreement enables the joint authorization of mitigation activities, the authorization and transfer of ITMOs, and the establishment of governance and transparency systems aligned with the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. It also creates a Joint Committee to oversee implementation and maintain a pre‑approved list of carbon crediting programs and methodologies.

Secretary Cuna emphasized that the IA “reflects the strength of a partnership built on trust, transparency, and shared ambition” and positions the Philippines to attract new climate investments in renewable energy, waste management, methane reduction, nature‑based solutions, and climate‑smart agriculture.

Minister Fu highlighted "the deep collaboration between our two countries - Singapore and the Philippines, channeling climate finance towards impactful projects in the Philippines and unlocking new opportunities in carbon markets for businesses and local communities." This Agreement can lead the way for ASEAN in building a low-carbon future that delivers tangible benefits across the region.

Strategic Benefits for the Philippines
Secretary Cuna underscored four major national gains:

✅ Readiness and Institutional Commitment. The agreement signals that the Philippines is prepared to participate in high-integrity carbon markets, backed by strong governance and transparency systems.

✅ New Streams of Green Investment. The IA positions the Philippines to access this demand and channel climate finance into priority sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, methane reduction, nature-based solutions, and climate-smart agriculture.

✅ Regional Competitiveness. By joining Singapore’s growing network of Article 6.2 agreements, the Philippines strengthens its standing as a competitive destination for carbon market investments in Southeast Asia.

✅ Direct Benefits for Filipino Communities. Revenues from authorized ITMOs can support reforestation, forest protection, renewable energy deployment, community-based mitigation initiatives, and local resilience infrastructure - delivering tangible development gains for vulnerable provinces.

A Model for ASEAN

The IA offers a replicable model for ASEAN member states, demonstrating how bilateral trust and technical rigor can create a credible regional hub for carbon markets. As DENR Undersecretary Analiza Teh noted, the Agreement “shows that regional cooperation on carbon markets is not theoretical” and provides a pathway for harmonized approaches and strengthened transparency across the region.

Following the signing, both governments will initiate the following:

1. Activate the Joint Committee
2. Establish and integrate national registries for ITMO tracking
3. Opening the formal project authorization process for mitigation activities.

These steps will enable project developers, private sector partners, and local communities to begin participating in Article 6.2-aligned activities between the Philippines and Singapore.

The Asian Development Bank, under the Climate Change Action Program, has provided technical assistance and capacity building to the DENR during the formulation and review of the Philippine-Singapore IA.

02/05/2026

When home is no longer safe: Why mobility must be central to ASEAN climate plans

Policymakers, disaster managers and community advocates urged ASEAN governments yesterday to treat human mobility including planned relocation, temporary movement and local adaptation migration, as a core part of climate risk management, not just an emergency afterthought.

Speaking at the International Organization for Migration-hosted panel “Why Mobility Matters for Climate Risk Management” during ASEAN Climate Week 2026, Climate Change Service Director Elenida Basug of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said plainly: “Climate mobility is already a present reality.” Her presentation stressed that climate-driven displacement from storms and sea-level rise is no longer a future risk but a current challenge, and that national planning must reflect this.

The session framed mobility as a two-fold issue: a consequence of increasing hazards and, where supported by policy and financing, a practical adaptation strategy. Human mobility cuts across climate risk management. Panelists argued mobility must be integrated across early warning systems, National Adaptation Plans, and disaster risk reduction frameworks so people can move safely or stay protected in place.

From a disaster management perspective, Dr. Ir. Udrekh of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) outlined hard limits to relocation. “Planned relocation is constrained by land availability, financing, and local capacity,” he warned. He noted that although hazard maps and risk analysis tools exist, implementation is hampered by social ties to place, uneven household assets and the complex task of identifying suitable resettlement sites.

Community voices were a central thread. Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang, Executive Director of Plan International Pilipinas, emphasized that mobility is not experienced equally: “Mobility is central to how communities cope and adapt, but women, children, older persons and marginalized groups face greater risks,” she said. Panelists urged that anticipatory action, cash assistance and relocation planning be gender-responsive and grounded in local knowledge so solutions reflect people’s real needs.

Financing and data figured prominently in the discussion. Speakers recommended flexible instruments such as anticipatory cash transfers, direct access to finance for communities and local governments, and blended international–domestic funding to support relocation and adaptation. They also called for stronger data systems such as risk indices and hotspot mapping, to guide targeted investments and prioritize the most vulnerable communities.

The session highlighted practical tools already in use. Director Basug pointed to a draft Philippine Climate Mobility Investment Plan and a Risk Index for Climate Displacement to identify hotspots and guide investments.

Panelists closed with a shared call for integration: hardwiring mobility considerations into NAPs, Disaster Risk Reduction plans and development planning; institutionalizing cross-sector coordination; and ensuring inclusion and human rights guidance at every step. “Integrating mobility into adaptation enables both in-place solutions and safe, dignified movement,” exclaimed Director Basug.

The session ended with a clear message for ASEAN leaders: climate mobility cannot be sidelined. It must be planned for, financed and implemented in ways that protect the poorest and most vulnerable — or risk repeating cycles of loss where people are forced to move without dignity, resources or options.

30/04/2026

From ambition to action: ASEAN urged to close $676 Billion climate and biodiversity finance gap

ASEAN leaders, finance experts and city officials yesterday pressed for urgent shifts in how the region pays for climate and biodiversity action, warning that policy ambition alone will not stop escalating nature loss and climate impacts without a dramatic redirection of capital.

The online session “Financing Climate and Biodiversity Action in ASEAN,” organized by the GIZ Philippines and the Pacific Island Countries TRANSCEND project, C40 Cities/GCom, in partnership with the Climate Change Commission PH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and regional partners, and as part of the ASEAN Climate Week 2026, brought together government, multilateral and civil society voices to map the financing gap and spotlight practical pathways for cities and countries to translate commitments into projects.

“The challenge has moved from building ambition to mobilizing investments,” said Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje of the Climate Change Commission PH, underlining the need for a systemic approach linking regional, national and local action. “We must ensure finance reaches communities and local governments where interventions actually deliver resilience and protect biodiversity.”

Panelists painted a stark picture: ASEAN faces an estimated climate financing deficit of over $676 billion, while current capital flows are heavily skewed toward nature-harming investments. As Senior Environmental Specialist Roland Treitler of the Asian Development Bank noted, roughly $320 billion currently flows into projects that damage nature, compared with only about $8 billion going into nature-positive investments, a disparity that has contributed to forest losses equivalent to the size of the Philippines over the past 15 years.

Speakers stressed that nature-based solutions (NbS) such as coastal blue carbon ecosystems and mangrove restoration, offer powerful dual benefits. “Every $1 invested in blue carbon ecosystems can yield an estimated $15 in economic benefits,” said Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor, Executive Director of the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity. “Scaling these solutions could unlock as much as $2 billion in annual regional revenue by 2030 and deliver resilience for coastal communities.”

But unlocking private and philanthropic capital requires credible, government-led systems. Several speakers urged establishing clear, sovereign-backed rules on carbon rights and benefit-sharing that align with countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Director John Narag of the Climate Finance Policy Group of the Philippine Department of Finance emphasized practical linkages between finance and policy, arguing that regional platforms and national instruments must work together to accelerate resource mobilization. “Leveraging regional platforms like SEADRIF alongside localized instruments such as the People’s Survival Fund streamlines access to adaptation and biodiversity finance,” he said.

City perspectives offered concrete examples of localized action. Mr. Ayiful Ramadhan Asit from DKI Jakarta described a C40-supported initiative to install rooftop solar and energy efficiency measures across 27 public hospitals — an approach that cuts emissions while freeing up funds for essential health services. “Municipal low-carbon projects are not just climate interventions — they help reallocate savings to improve public services,” he said.

Iloilo City’s restoration efforts were spotlighted as a model of urban ecosystem rehabilitation. Representing Mayor Raisa Treñas, Mr. Ronald Cartagena outlined phased redevelopment of the Iloilo River Esplanade and large-scale mangrove rehabilitation, highlighting the importance of community-led governance. “Shifting from standard infrastructure to collaborative local stewardship is key to long-term livability and resilience,” Cartagena said

Panelists also flagged shifting market dynamics in carbon finance. Tim Clairs of Conservation International warned of a move from isolated voluntary carbon projects toward integrated national systems underpinned by sovereign regulations. “ASEAN is becoming not just a supplier of carbon credits but a set of rule-makers which makes subnational engagement essential to build market credibility,” he said.

The session closed with a call to scale proven models through regional cooperation. Strategic recommendations include developing nested jurisdictional frameworks to integrate city actions into sovereign finance structures, empowering local governments to directly access climate funds, and accelerating catalytic finance for NbS via hubs such as the Nature Solutions Finance Hub which aims to mobilize $5 billion by 2030.

DENR Usec. Jonas R. Leones underscored the imperative to move from solutions that already exist to scaling them across the region. “Local actions are central,” he said in closing. “Regional platforms like GIZ TRANSCEND and ASEAN Climate Week are vital to translate shared mitigation and adaptation goals into lived benefits for communities.”

The session reinforces a key message: the tools and partnerships are coming together. Now governments, cities and financiers must align to close the capital gap and deliver tangible results for people and nature.

30/04/2026

When the storm comes: ASEAN urged to close the gap on loss and damage

Southeast Asian policymakers and experts warned today that the region must urgently strengthen its response to climate-driven loss and damage, as unequal capacities and fragmented systems leave communities exposed when disasters strike.

The ASEAN Knowledge Exchange on Loss and Damage and Comprehensive Risk Management, organized by GIZ Philippines and the Pacific Island Countries under the ASEAN EU-German Climate Action Programme and as part of ASEAN Climate Week 2026, brought officials from Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and regional institutions together to share lessons and identify where cooperation can turn plans into protection.

“Across ASEAN, capacity to respond to loss and damage varies widely,” said Ms. Sao Samphors, Vice Chief Office of Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment. “Some countries have advanced climate-data systems and adaptive social protection; others are still building basic institutions. That gap is what puts people at risk.”

Speakers stressed that while regional policy frameworks such as NDCs, NAPs and national disaster plans exist, implementation is often siloed. “Adaptation and disaster risk reduction frequently progress in parallel instead of as a unified approach,” noted Mr. Santosh Manivannan, chair of the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC). “We must break sectoral walls, so assistance reaches those who need it most.”

A recurring concern was data fragmentation. Planners lack coherent, accessible datasets spanning global, regional, national and local levels — a problem that hinders timely decision-making and fair distribution of support after disasters. Presenters recommended standardizing metrics and exploring new technologies to close the information gap. “It’s time to explore AI for data collection, analysis and distribution of social protection,” pointing to the potential for faster, more targeted responses.

Regional cooperation emerged as the practical pathway forward. Dr. Vong Sok, Head of Environment Division from the ASEAN Secretariat, urged countries to use existing ASEAN platforms including the AWGCC and ACDM, to harmonize approaches and pool resources. “We already have the institutional architecture; now we need to operationalize it for loss and damage,” he said.

Experts called for concrete regional tools: a minimum standard metric to document loss and damage using existing platforms like the ASEAN Disaster Information Network, and a dedicated ASEAN coordination mechanism on loss and damage that could tackle technical and legal issues from sea-level rise to planned relocation. “Defining the scope of loss and damage at the regional level will help align national policies and unlock support,” said Senior Researcher P. Raja Siregar of the Resilience Development Initiative.

Voices from national governments underlined the human stakes. Ms. Sonekham Phommahaxay, Deputy Director, Disaster Prevention Division, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Lao PDR, and Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) highlighted ongoing efforts to implement adaptive social protection and risk-transfer mechanisms — but both acknowledged that piecemeal progress must scale. “We need both national action and regional solidarity, so no community is left behind,” Usec. Rebuelta-Teh said.

The session concluded with a set of strategic recommendations: strengthen cross-sector coordination at national and regional levels; develop a regional MRV and data standard for loss and damage; and establish an ASEAN sub-working group to tackle technical, legal and governance challenges tied to displacement, small islands and maritime boundaries.

Participants endorsed a regional study on readiness to address loss and damage, a first step toward translating knowledge into action. In a region where climate impacts are intensifying, speakers left no doubt: frameworks exist, but leadership, data and cooperation must move faster if ASEAN is to protect its people and economies from the next inevitable crisis.