The Global Climate Risk Index of 2016 identifies the Philippines, an archipelagic island consisting of more than 7,000 islands, as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Since 2009, the Philippines has encountered a number of extreme weather occurrences, such as Typhoon Haiyan, that have resulted in significant loss in terms of properties and lives of Filipinos. Recognizing the threats of climate change, the Government of the Philippines (GoP) has undertaken key initiatives, such as the passage of the Climate Change Act of 2009, the creation of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), and the adoption of the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP). The CCC is the lead policy and coordinating body on climate change concerns and since 2010, it has implemented projects to pursue the GoP’s thrust of promoting climate resilience and inclusive growth.

Following the completion of the “Demonstration of Eco town Framework Project (Phase 1)” in 201440 and in response to the interest shown by the GoP, the CCC and GGGI initiated, in 2015, the implementation of the “Ecotown Scale-Up Project: Climate Resilient Green Growth Planning at the Provincial Level (Phase 2)”. Phase 2 is more commonly referred to as the Climate Resilient Green Growth (CRGG) Planning Project.

Currently implemented in the provinces of Palawan and Oriental Mindoro, the project is designed to scale up the lessons learned from the municipal implementation experience to target a wider coverage and broader economic base of provinces. Technical assistance entails: CRGG analysis for the preparation of Provincial CRGG Strategies; formulation of national and local policies; and the development of project studies that will help the two selected provinces concretely implement climate resilience and green growth projects. Sharing knowledge and developing capacity among local stakeholders is a cross-cutting intervention to foster ownership and sustainability.

Over 2015-16, GGGI has completed Component 1 “Development of Project Management Tools” aimed at supporting the Provincial Project Teams to implement CRGG-related activities. Over 2017-18, GGGI will continue to build on ongoing work related to Component 2 “Implementation of the Climate Resilient Green Growth Planning Approach” and Component 3 “Knowledge and Capacity Development” in the two participating provinces.

PROJECT OUTPUTS FOR 2017-18:

• Develop recommended policy actions to implement the findings of the provincial CRGG strategies completed in 2016 and submit to government
• Deliver at least three capacity development events to support the implementation of provincial CRGG strategies
• Produce communication products that capture the results and lessons of the CRGG approach and disseminate to relevant stakeholders
• Pilot inclusive and pro-poor green growth actions as part of the CRGG approach in at least one municipality
• Pilot initiatives to green the business practices of two micro, small or medium enterprises as part of the provincial CRGG strategies that relate to private sector development in at least one of the participating provinces

PROJECT OUTCOMES FOR 2017-18:

• Findings of provincial CRGG analyses are incorporated into the development plans of participating provincial governments
• CRGG framework and approach incorporated in development plans of at least two other local government units (LGUs)
• Two micro, small and medium enterprises green their business practices

The objectives of the project is to support the government to enhance climate change resilience and promote inclusive green growth at provincial levels, as well as to incorporate CRGG analyses in the development plans of at least two LGUs. This will be done by delivering the following outputs:

Recommended policy actions to implement the findings of the provincial CRGG strategies completed in 2016 developed and submitted to the government. Based on the provincial CRGG strategies, GGGI will support the incorporation of green growth and climate resilient elements in national and local policies. The national policies focus on supporting the national government to address the gaps noted in the implementation of the CRGG Planning Approach, and promoting the replication of the Provincial CRGG Planning Approach in other provinces. In parallel, the local policies are aimed at supporting the participating provinces in implementing the Provincial CRGG Strategies, which include provincial resolutions and ordinances to allocate funds for climate resilient and green growth projects, as well as local incentives to encourage private sector investments in relevant sectors.

At least three capacity development events to support the implementation of provincial CRGG strategies delivered. GGGI will conduct a rapid assessment to determine technical capacity gaps and to formulate a replication and sustainability plan. The objective is to deliver an institutional capacity development plan tailored for relevant agencies, which will include training modules, materials and manuals on the CRGG strategies.

Communication products that capture the results and lessons of the CRGG approach produced and disseminated to relevant stakeholders. GGGI will use CRGG-relevant content to develop IEC materials and utilize appropriate local channels and delivery platforms, including national and local media, and academic institutions to share experiences and disseminate materials.

Inclusive and pro-poor green growth actions as part of the CRGG approach piloted in at least one municipality. GGGI will establish a Municipal Technical Working Group for piloting in a municipality and conducting field appraisal activities to formulate and implement inclusive and pro-poor green growth strategies. The demonstration of this approach will result in the implementation of actual initiatives that will improve the conditions of marginalized and vulnerable sectors in a pilot municipality, as well as provide practical experience to strengthen the “inclusive and pro-poor lens” of the Provincial CRGG Methodologies, which will eventually be replicated in other provinces.

Initiatives to green the business practices of two micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises as part of the Provincial CRGG Strategies piloted in at least one of the participating provinces. Building on the private sector development related aspects in the Provincial CRGG Strategies, a technical working group, led by the Department of Trade and Industry, will select and engage micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) to pilot MSME greening initiatives in at least one of the participating provinces. Engaging the private sector for the effectiveness and sustainability of CRGG implementation will be demonstrated through this initiative. The results and lessons learned will support the government in subsequent replication and scale up of the CRGG planning approach.