Bilateral cooperation on climate and environment is being strengthened through discussions on science, innovation, localisation, resilience, and finance.
His Majesty's Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils, and Environment Secretary and Official Representative of the President to the Climate Change Commission, Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga recently led the 5th UK-PH Climate Change and Environment (CCE) Dialogue to set the direction for the year, building on the successes of 2024.
These saw UK support for the operationalisation of the Philippines' National Adaptation Plan, mobilisation of institutional capital into renewable energy in the country through the Philippines Stock Exchange, funding to civil society across projects on biodiversity and coastal livelihoods and launching of key multi-stakeholder platforms tacking plastic pollution and blue carbon.
Both countries agreed to establish a UK-led development partners coordination group for the localisation of climate analytics in provinces identified with high exposure to climate risks in the National Adaptation Plan, and the government's Risk Resiliency Programme. Using the findings from pilot site of Negros Occidental, an investment platform will be developed to mobilise private capital for adaptation and resilience with a focus on climate-smart agriculture, innovative water management solutions and agroforestry projects.
The Dialogue also agreed to ramp up support for the blue economy through the UK's Blue Planet Fund. The new COAST (Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition) programme will be rolled out in the Philippines this year, which seeks to deliver interventions that will strengthen marine protected areas, operationalise sustainable fisheries management, and promote blue carbon initiatives.
Representatives reached an agreement to form a UK-DENR partnership mechanism to promote biodiversity and nature grants to local governments and communities that would not only support biodiversity conservation but also build resilience and provide long-term economic benefits for resource-dependent communities.
Representatives also agreed to ramp up collaboration on climate and nature finance. Discussions covered expanding access to sustainable financing, catalysing private capital for climate change adaptation, and aligning financial strategies with climate risk assessments to develop more investment-ready portfolio for large-scale, long-term sustainability efforts.
Ambassador Beaufils said:
I am very proud of the progress we have made together. But we won't rest on our laurels. We are ambitious for the future, and we will continue to deliver tangible results across adaptation, climate finance, science and research, and investments into renewable energy.
Meanwhile, Secretary Loyzaga highlighted:
Our Enhanced Partnership with the UK is a testament to our commitment as like-minded countries and large ocean nations to a future that is secured under a rules-based international order. The bi-annual reviews of our climate change joint work plan will allow us to align, calibrate, and adapt when we respond to geo strategic uncertainties that we actually face.
The dialogue concluded with both countries signing a renewed partnership statement on climate and nature. The UK remains committed to supporting these efforts through expertise, financing, and advocacy for climate-vulnerable nations.
The Dialogue was attended by high-level representatives from key agencies, including the DENR, Climate Change Commission, Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Energy, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Economic and Development Authority, the Public-Private Partnership Center and the Department of Trade and Industry.
