ICSC on World Court opinion: Climate finance should meet the scale of challenges faced by the most vulnerable
QUEZON CITY, July 24, 2025 –– The International Court of Justice (ICJ), informally known as the World Court, issued a landmark advisory opinion yesterday affirming that all States, especially major carbon-emitting countries and those with greater capacity, have legal obligations under international law to address climate change, protect ecosystems, and prevent foreseeable harm to other nations, particularly climate-vulnerable countries like the Philippines. The United Nations General Assembly, in 2023, adopted a resolution requesting for an advisory opinion from the ICJ on two questions: What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the environment? [...]
National and local leaders push for climate-resilient development in Eastern Visayas
TACLOBAN CITY, May 17, 2024 – Officials and representatives from national government agencies and local government units, policymakers, civil society, academia, and the private sector have committed to working together in advancing climate-resilient development in Eastern Visayas. Organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), the Eastern Visayas Summit on Climate-Resilient Development, held from May 14-15 in Tacloban City, brought together stakeholders from across the region to develop community-responsive strategies and implementation plans for inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient solutions. “Eastern Visayas has long been at the frontline of climate impacts, from devastating tropical cyclones to rising sea [...]
Barbados appointed as new presidency of Climate Vulnerable Forum
CVF move towards independence marks strong political will to advance ambitious climate action, ICSC stated DUBAI, December 5, 2023 – The Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), a group of 68 member countries highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, has announced Barbados to be its next presidency starting mid-2024 at the World Climate Action Summit on Transforming Climate Finance last December 1. The Summit was hosted by this year’s United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In the same event, former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed was also appointed as the first Secretary-General of the CVF, following the [...]
ICSC, World Vision collaborate on climate finance proposal supporting water resilience
QUEZON CITY, November 30, 2023 – The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) and World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. (WVDF) have partnered to collaborate on a local simplified approval process (SAP) proposal for submission to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The proposal, which is currently in development, will aim to support water resources and watershed management in the Philippines through indigenous, ecosystem-based, locally-driven action. Specifically, it will focus on ensuring water resilience in coastal and small island communities, which regularly experience climate-induced or climate-aggravated water supply and quality issues. Originally called the “Haiyan Project,” ICSC submitted an [...]
ICSC: PSF selection should be transparent, fair, and equitable
QUEZON CITY, November 22, 2023 – The Board of the People’s Survival Fund (PSF), chaired by the Department of Finance (DOF), approved five climate change adaptation projects endorsed by the Climate Change Commission (CCC) last October 23, amounting to a total of PHP 540.3 million. In the 20th meeting of the PSF Board, the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) presented seven projects from the first batch of PSF proposals recommended for approval by the CCC. Among these proposals, five were approved – specifically Mountain Province; Maramag, Bukidnon; Catanauan, Quezon; Cabagan, Isabela; and Borongan, Eastern Samar – one was [...]