Manila: The Philippines and Germany have pledged to further their collaboration in addressing climate change and biodiversity issues through the Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development (TRANSCEND) Project. This joint initiative aims to enhance climate governance, empower communities, and protect ecosystems.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) emphasized the importance of transforming climate projects into enduring systems and institutional reforms that will sustain impact beyond project cycles. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje highlighted the necessity for the Philippines’ climate response to evolve from isolated pilot projects into coherent systems that maintain their impact over time. He addressed this during the 2nd Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting with partners from the Government of Germany, the United Nations, other government bodies, and non-government organizations.
German Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, reiterated Germany’s commitment to the partnership, underscoring climate change as a shared responsibility that demands collective action. He noted that the warming of the planet should be seen as a challenge to strengthen commitment and ensure a sustainable future for coming generations.
The 2nd PSC meeting focused on reviewing project progress, strategic alignment for future years, and establishing monitoring and evaluation systems to measure outcomes like reduced risks, restored ecosystems, and improved access to sustainable services. The TRANSCEND Project, jointly executed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the CCC, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), reflects the Philippines-Germany partnership’s dedication to climate and ecological transformation.
Borje further discussed the CCC’s efforts to integrate climate resilience into government operations by enhancing policies and financing mechanisms linking plans, budgets, and outcomes. He noted that sustainable resilience hinges on systems alignment, outcome-driven financing, and enduring institutions, principles that guide President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration in pursuing systemic and inclusive climate governance.
Set to run from 2025 to 2029, TRANSCEND aligns with national frameworks like the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP), and the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP). The project aims to institutionalize transformative actions that foster inclusive, nature-positive, and sustainable growth.
DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh emphasized the project’s significance in enhancing the convergence between climate and biodiversity efforts, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of milestones and addressing gaps to advance climate resilience and ecosystem protection.
