Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera of the Climate Change Commission outlines the Philippines’ climate approach at the Asian Development Bank’s NDC Advance Regional Workshop.

MANILA, Philippines – At the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) NDC Advance Regional Workshop, Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) highlighted the Philippines' ambitious climate targets and implementation strategies.

The recently concluded three-day event gathered climate experts and policymakers from across Asia and the Pacific to discuss effective implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

NDCs are climate action plans for reducing emissions and adapting to climate impacts, updated every five years by each Party to the Paris Agreement. The Philippines submitted in April 2021 its initial Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), aiming for a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2020 to 2030 across crucial sectors such as agriculture, waste, industry, and energy. Of this target, 2.71% is unconditional, meaning it will be achieved using national resources alone, while 72.29% is conditional that will depend on support from developed countries through climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.

“We are committed to bold action but recognize the need for global cooperation,” Herrera stated.

In her address during the plenary opening session, Herrera outlined the Philippines' comprehensive climate approach. The CCC, with stakeholder support, has developed an NDC Implementation Plan and an NDC Gender Analysis and Action Plan to coordinate efforts across all sectors. The CCC is also developing an NDC Partnership Plan to leverage support for implementation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and capacity-building. These initiatives reflect a broader strategy that prioritizes adaptation while pursuing mitigation for its co-benefits.

Herrera emphasized the urgent need for climate finance, estimating that US$ 72 billion is required for priority climate measures. This amount highlights the scale of the challenge facing the Philippines and other developing nations in the region.

She also presented projections of climate change’s potential economic impact. “Our analysis shows that climate change could affect 7.6% of the Philippines' GDP by 2030, escalating to 13.6% by 2040,” Herrera warned. “These figures underline the critical importance of collective action. Events like this build the partnerships and knowledge base needed to achieve our ambitious climate goals."

The workshop provided the Philippines a platform to share its experiences and learn from regional peers.

Arnold Grant Belver of the CCC Policy Research and Development Division detailed the Philippine vision and early experience in designing an effective NDC. He explained the development of the NDC Implementation Plan and emphasized the crucial need for international support in finance, capacity, and technology development and transfer.

The CCC’s participation underscores the Philippines’ proactive stance on climate action and its emerging leadership role in regional climate initiatives.

“As we advance our NDC implementation, collaboration and partnership remain critical. We must secure the future of vulnerable communities and ensure that no one is left behind in the global fight against climate change. The Philippines is committed to fostering regional cooperation to build resilience, enhance capacity, and mobilize the resources necessary to meet our collective climate goals,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje.

As countries in the Asia-Pacific work to enhance their NDCs, the Philippines' comprehensive approach to planning, financing, and monitoring climate action offers valuable insights for nations facing similar challenges.

For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.