The British Embassy Manila and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) convened the fourth annual UK-Philippines Climate and Environment Dialogue in Makati City on 25 March 2024.

Together with key government agencies, the UK and the Philippines agreed to deepen the collaboration across climate and biodiversity priorities. The conversation set the direction for the year ahead. The scaling of coordination platforms to share experience and technology, streamline priorities, and scale delivery featured strongly. In this regard, the UK will support the Energy Transition Council, Blue Carbon Action Plan, and National Plastics Action Plan in the coming year.

These will build on the successes of 2023, which saw UK support for the delivery of the Philippines National Adaptation Plan and Philippines Emission Pathway Calculator.

Exploring ways to mobilise finance behind the Philippines National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Plan (NDCIP) was a core part of the conversation to ensure that UK support will help deliver implementation. The UK committed to deliver programmes and technical assistance to contribute to water security, urban resilience, ecosystems and biodiversity protection, and renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The Dialogue further highlighted a strong track record of financial innovation with the UK-funded launch of the Animal Town application in 2024, demonstrating an innovative way to get the public to participate in the conservation of Philippine wildlife and biodiversity.

It went on to showcase collective leadership and ambition on oceans and the blue economy. The representatives reached an agreement on a new governance framework to oversee future marine and coastal work on nature and climate under an upcoming Blue Planet Fund Country Plan.

Localisation has played a key role in the partnership to date, with over twenty community-led initiatives funded by the UK. This year will see four challenge funds open to new community project proposals across the country to strengthen local capacity across adaptation and biodiversity.

British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said:

“I’m proud that the UK and the Philippines are such strong partners on climate and biodiversity. Over the last year we have delivered great things together – supporting people across the country to adapt to the unavoidable consequences of climate change, driving an uptick in renewable energy, investing in biodiversity through nature-based solutions including the conservation of mangroves and corals, and protecting wildlife ranging from Philippine pangolins to crocodiles. I’m absolutely delighted that, in this fourth Dialogue, we committed to do even more together.

“On top of existing partnerships, we will focus on growing the Blue Economy through the Blue Planet Fund, formulating a country specific plan to support marine protected areas and other effective conservation measures, reduce marine pollution, and manage sustainable fisheries. Together, I have no doubt we will continue to make a real life difference to people across the country”

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, who is also the President’s Chair Designate of the Climate Change Commission said:

“The Philippines is committed to a sustainable future and this dialogue is a pivotal step in achieving that goal. We will explore avenues for mobilizing finance and investments into climate, energy, and environment interventions outlined in the Philippines NAP and NDC Implementation Plan. The Philippines’ efforts toward resilience and sustainable development have received strong financial, technical, and policy-related support from the UK government. We are fully committed to carrying out the UK-PH strategic cooperation. By working together with the UK, we can leverage priority areas of collaboration to create a comprehensive and effective approach to environment and climate action.”

The dialogue concluded with both countries establishing a clear engagement approach on critical issues such as loss and damage, disaster risk financing, and the blue economy. The UK reinforced its commitment to advancing its work in these areas moving forward and delivering tangible progress in the years ahead.

Senior officials from the DENR, Climate Change Commission, Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Finance, Department of Energy, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Economic and Development Authority,  the Public-Private Partnership Center, and UK Government representatives from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) were present during the dialogue. ###

Notes to Editors:

About Blue Planet Fund

The Blue Planet Fund is the UK’s £500 million programme supporting developing countries to protect the marine environment and reduce poverty. This is jointly managed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.