The Climate Change Commission (CCC), in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH or German Development Cooperation, on Monday announced the soft launch of the Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development (TRANSCEND) project.

The foreign-assisted project aims at enhancing the country’s capacity to implement its climate change and biodiversity policies.

The EUR36.8 million (PHP2.35 billion) TRANSCEND project ensures the transparent, integrated and accountable implementation of climate projects across all levels of society in the Philippines, soliciting and mediating coordination between government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

“Climate change poses many challenges and has differentiated impacts on sectors and disproportionate effects on others,” CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said in his welcome remarks during the recent soft launch.

“Working with Germany on the TRANSCEND project, we can focus on maximizing and optimizing collaboration and cooperation between and among government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector in pushing for a climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines. This is the call of our time: a truly whole of society and whole of world approach to address climate change and its impacts,” he added.

Outlined to support the Philippines in achieving its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Distributed Contributions Implementation Plan (NDCIP), TRANSCEND is calibrated to work and assist in key climate intervention areas as identified in the two framework documents.

This includes the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of biodiversity and natural carbon sinks, securing of investments to leverage private sector funds and jumpstart transition to a low-carbon economy and create green jobs, synergizing of adaptation and mitigation strategies for effective carbon reduction, avoidance and sequestration of carbon emissions, and establishing multi-stakeholder decision support systems at all levels of government to enhance transparency and accelerate transformative evidence-based policies.

“This project allows us to coherently synergize our efforts towards a low-carbon and biodiversity friendly future through improved coordination, fortified partnerships, and maximum impact of our resources. TRANSCEND will catalyze positive change, promoting ‘integrated, transparent, and accountable’ efforts to safeguard the environment for present and future generations,” said Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga as represented by Assistant Secretary Noralene Uy.

According to GIZ’s indicative project timeline, the main launch of TRANSCEND project is set in August this year, following the signing of the project’s Implementation Agreement.

The project holds much significance to both the Philippine and German governments as it marks another chapter of the Philippine-German diplomatic relationship, since its inception 70 years ago.

“Germany and the Philippines are partners who share the same values and work hand in hand to strengthen the rule base of the national order in Europe, in Southeast Asia, and everywhere in the world where it is in danger. We have a lot in common and we are reliable partners, and today’s [soft] launching event is again another milestone in our partnership,” H.E. Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke, German ambassador to the Philippines, said.

Borje said the Philippine government must continue to work and collaborate with partners, particularly with Germany.

“While the work ahead of us is still long and still requires a lot of hard work, there is a sense of hope and there is a sense of renewal. And pondered upon, it’s going to power the partnership that we currently have from 70 years to beyond,” he added.

The CCC continues to actively seek effective and robust local and international partnerships as part of its commitment to enhance the country’s capacity to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate and to usher in a new era of climate resiliency in the Philippines.

The TRANSCEND project is deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by focusing on enhancing climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and fostering partnerships for effective implementation. (PNA)