Climate Change Commission  Secretary Robert E.A. Borje delivers the keynote address at the recent State of Climate Change 2025 Forum, emphasizing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the integral role of businesses in driving climate resilience.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) joined key stakeholders at the State of Climate Change 2025 Forum, organized by the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) in partnership with the New Zealand Embassy. Held at Makati Diamond Residences, the forum provided a crucial avenue for the CCC to rally the private sector toward proactive climate action.

This year’s forum, themed “Advancing Private Sector Engagement and the National Adaptation Plan,” focused on strengthening partnerships between the private sector, government, and civil society to build climate resilience in the Philippines.

In his keynote address, Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director, highlighted the pivotal role of the private sector in advancing climate resilience. Noting that the private sector contributes 93% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), he emphasized its capacity to drive innovation and mobilize investments.

“The private sector holds the power to drive innovation, unlock investments, and create scalable solutions for a climate-resilient future,” Borje said. “By aligning private sector innovation with national strategies, we can accelerate climate action and build a climate-secure future where businesses and communities thrive together.”

The CCC is leading efforts to localize the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and update the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) — both key frameworks designed to strengthen the country’s climate resilience and sustainable development efforts.

“The NAP is our collective roadmap to climate resilience, guiding strategic actions to protect communities, economies, and ecosystems.” Borje said. "Preventing losses and damages starts with turning our adaptation plans into tangible solutions, with the private sector stepping up as a driving force in building a climate-resilient future."

The forum highlighted the growing Philippines–New Zealand partnership on climate action, with New Zealand Climate Change Ambassador Stuart Horne reaffirming his country’s commitment. This collaboration was formalized in November 2024 through the Joint Declaration on Climate Change Cooperation, which outlines an 18-month plan for deeper cooperation in innovation, sustainable development, and economic growth.

Finally, Secretary Borje emphasized how the forum echoes President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration’s call for a whole-of-society, whole-of-government approach to climate action—further strengthened by the Philippines' growing partnerships with countries like New Zealand in advancing inclusive, science-based, and locally led climate solutions.

A panel discussion featuring Secretary Borje, Ambassador Horne, and San Miguel Corporation Foundation Chair Cecile Ang explored how businesses can drive climate action. The discussion highlighted successful private sector initiatives in climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster resilience — with speakers emphasizing that climate action cannot succeed without business engagement.

The forum concluded with a renewed commitment from PDRF to continue working closely with the New Zealand Embassy, the Philippine government, and the private sector to accelerate climate resilience initiatives.

“We’re grateful for the continued support of our partners,” said PDRF Chief Resilience Officer Guillermo M. Luz. “By working together, we can create lasting solutions that protect vulnerable communities, drive innovation, and secure a more sustainable future for the Philippines.”

The State of Climate Change 2025 forum reinforced that climate resilience requires collaboration, shared responsibility, and sustained action — a challenge the Philippines, New Zealand, and the private sector are dedicated to addressing together. The event was made possible through the support of the New Zealand Embassy, Aboitiz Foundation, Coca-Cola Philippines, First Philippine Holdings Corporation, and San Miguel Corporation — all of which have been strong advocates of climate action and disaster resilience.

As the Philippines' lead policy-making body on climate action, the CCC is driving private sector engagement beyond commitment—transforming ambition into investment, innovation into impact, and collaboration into climate resilience.