The Philippines and the United Kingdom have agreed to collaborate on tackling climate change and protecting biodiversity. This commitment came out of the recent climate and environment dialogue between the two nations.
The dialogue agreed that one of the key features would be the expansion of platforms that facilitate the sharing of expertise and technology. This will allow for streamlined priorities and more effective implementation of environmental initiatives.
The UK has pledged its support for several key Philippine programs. These include the Energy Transition Council, the Blue Carbon Action Plan, and the National Plastics Action Plan. This backing builds upon the successes of 2023, where the UK aided in the development of the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan and its NDC Emission Pathway Calculator.
Financing strategies were a central theme of the dialogue. The aim is to secure resources for the Philippine National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Plan (NDCIP). This will ensure that UK support translates into tangible action. The UK has committed to providing programs and technical assistance in areas like water security, urban resilience, ecosystem and wildlife protection, and the development of renewable energy sources.
The dialogue also applauded innovative approaches to environmental protection. The UK-funded “Animal Town” app, launched this year, serves as a prime example. This mobile application offers a creative way to engage the public in wildlife conservation efforts.
On the topic of the ocean and the blue economy, the representatives showcased their shared leadership and ambition. A new framework will be established to govern future marine and coastal conservation projects funded by the Blue Planet Fund.
Local communities have been a cornerstone of the UK-Philippines partnership thus far. Over twenty community-driven climate and biodiversity initiatives have benefited from UK funding. To further empower local actors, four new challenge funds will be launched nationwide, inviting proposals for new community projects focused on adaptation and biodiversity conservation.
British Ambassador Laure Beaufils expressed her pride in the robust UK-Philippines partnership on climate and biodiversity issues. She highlighted the achievements of the past year, including supporting Filipinos in adapting to climate change, promoting renewable energy, and investing in nature-based solutions like mangrove and coral reef conservation. Ambassador Beaufils went on to express her enthusiasm for the expanded collaboration envisaged in the dialogue.
“We will go beyond existing partnerships,” she stated, emphasizing the focus on fostering the Blue Economy through the Blue Planet Fund. This initiative will involve developing a customized country plan to support marine protected areas, reduce marine pollution, promote sustainable fisheries, and implement effective conservation measures. “Working together,” Ambassador Beaufils concluded, “there is no doubt we will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of Filipinos across the country.”
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, who also serves as the President’s designated Chair of the Climate Change Commission, echoed the Philippines’ dedication to a sustainable future. She underscored the importance of the dialogue as a crucial step towards achieving this goal. Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga emphasized that the Philippines will explore avenues to mobilize financial resources and investments for the climate, energy, and environmental interventions outlined in the NAP and NDC Implementation Plan.
“The UK government’s financial, technical, and policy-related support has been instrumental in the Philippines’ efforts towards resilience and sustainable development,” Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga continued. “We are fully committed to upholding UK-Philippines strategic cooperation. By working hand-in-hand with the UK, we can leverage key areas of collaboration to establish a comprehensive and impactful approach to environmental and climate action.”
The dialogue culminated in both countries solidifying a clear strategy to address critical issues like loss and damage caused by climate change, disaster risk financing mechanisms, and the Blue Economy. The UK reaffirmed its commitment to advancing its work in these areas and delivering measurable progress in the years to come.
The dialogue attracted senior officials from various Philippine government agencies and their UK counterparts, who came from relevant departments such as the Department of Finance, the Department of Energy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Public-Private Partnership Center, and UK Government representatives from Foreign, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and many others.
