PH–Germany Alliance Champions Systemic Climate Reform Through TRANSCEND

The Philippines and Germany are deepening their long-standing partnership for climate and biodiversity action through the Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development (TRANSCEND) Project — a five-year initiative (2025–2029) that seeks to make climate resilience and ecological protection integral parts of national and local governance.

At the 2nd Project Steering Committee Meeting, Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje called for a shift from short-term projects to lasting institutional reforms. “Our partnership must move beyond pilots — translating innovation into institutional practice and good practice into national policy,” he said, emphasizing the Marcos administration’s pursuit of evidence-based and inclusive climate governance.

Jointly implemented by the CCC, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, TRANSCEND underscores a shared vision of building systems that link plans, budgets, and outcomes. Among the CCC’s current efforts are scaling up Local Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (LCCET) for transparency, accelerating the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) for community-based adaptation, and integrating green criteria in procurement to institutionalize sustainable practices across government agencies.

DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh commended the project for aligning climate and biodiversity efforts, while German Ambassador Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting the Philippines in addressing the climate crisis. “The warming of the planet should not be viewed merely as a threat, but as a challenge that demands collective resolve and stronger commitment,” he said.

With TRANSCEND aligned with the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP), and Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP), both countries envision a climate agenda built on resilience, transparency, and inclusivity.

“If we do our work right — with discipline, courage, and constancy — TRANSCEND will not just transform cities; it will transform governance itself,” Borje concluded.

For more information, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.