British Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils, and Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Environment Secretary and the President’s official representative to the Climate Change Commission, recently led the 5th UK-Philippines Climate Change and Environment (CCE) Dialogue. The event set the strategic direction for 2025, building on the achievements of 2024.
The dialogue highlighted the continued collaboration between the two countries in advancing climate adaptation and sustainability efforts. Key UK contributions included supporting the operationalization of the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan (NAP), mobilizing institutional capital into renewable energy through the Philippines Stock Exchange, funding biodiversity and coastal livelihood projects, and launching multi-stakeholder initiatives tackling plastic pollution and promoting blue carbon.
Both nations agreed to establish a UK-led coordination group, involving development partners to localize climate analytics in provinces most at risk, as identified in the NAP and the government’s Risk Resiliency Programme. Building on lessons learned from the pilot project in Negros Occidental, an investment platform will be created to mobilize private capital for climate adaptation and resilience. The focus will be on climate-smart agriculture, innovative water management solutions, and agroforestry projects.
The dialogue also marked a significant commitment to scaling up support for the blue economy through the UK’s Blue Planet Fund. The new COAST (Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition) program will launch in the Philippines this year, aiming to strengthen marine protected areas, implement sustainable fisheries management, and advance blue carbon initiatives.
A UK Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) partnership mechanism was also agreed upon to promote biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions. The initiative will provide grants to local governments and communities to not only conserve biodiversity but also build resilience and deliver long-term economic benefits for resource-dependent populations.
Discussions also emphasized enhanced collaboration on climate and nature finance. The two sides agreed to explore ways to expand access to sustainable financing, attract private capital for climate adaptation, and align financial strategies with climate risk assessments to foster large-scale, long-term sustainability investments.
Ambassador Beaufils expressed pride in the progress made, saying: “I’m very proud of the progress we’ve achieved together. But we’re not stopping here. We’re ambitious for the future, and we will continue to deliver tangible outcomes in adaptation, climate finance, science and research, and investment in renewable energy.”
Secretary Loyzaga underscored the importance of the partnership: “Our Enhanced Partnership with the UK is a testament to our shared commitment as ocean nations to a future anchored in a rules-based international order. The bi-annual reviews of our climate change joint work plan will enable us to adapt and respond to the geostrategic challenges we face.”
The dialogue culminated in both countries signing a renewed partnership statement on climate and nature. The UK reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these efforts with expertise, financing, and advocacy for nations most vulnerable to climate change.
The event was attended by senior representatives from key Philippine government agencies, including the DENR, Climate Change Commission, Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Energy, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Economic and Development Authority, Public-Private Partnership Center, and the Department of Trade and Industry.
