The Philippines and Germany formalized a partnership through the TRANSCEND project aimed at strengthening climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and promoting low-carbon development in the Philippines with significant German funding support.
The Philippine government and Germany have signed a major agreement launching the Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development (TRANSCEND) Project. Supported by a €32.702 million fund from Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), the project aims to bolster cooperation on climate resilience, ecosystem conservation, and low-carbon development in the Philippines.
The agreement was signed by key representatives including Robert E.A. Borje, Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the Philippine Climate Change Commission (CCC); Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Immanuel Gebhardt, Country Director of German Development Cooperation (GIZ); and Johanna Sibbert, TRANSCEND Program Manager.
Borje emphasized that TRANSCEND’s work focuses on integrating climate risk, ecosystem health, and emission considerations into development planning rather than simply adding a climate label to ongoing initiatives. The project will align local efforts with the Philippines’ national climate commitments by incorporating environmental priorities into public investments, infrastructure, enterprises, and local government planning.
Operating across Luzon, Panay, and Northern Mindanao, TRANSCEND will implement interventions including ecosystem conservation and restoration and urban ecosystem-based adaptation. The project uniquely addresses climate adaptation, mitigation, and biodiversity conservation simultaneously while supporting government agencies and development partners at multiple levels.
Gebhardt noted TRANSCEND as the most significant Filipino-German cooperative program to date, bringing together varied sectors and partners to effectively tackle climate change and biodiversity loss in the country. This multi-sectoral initiative highlights international collaboration towards sustainable environmental management and climate action in the Philippines.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1007849/ph-germany-sign-climate-resilience-agreement/story/
