Philippine government convenes national dialogue to strengthen financial protection against climate risks and impacts
PASIG CITY, 28 August 2025— The Philippine government is taking steps to strengthen the financial protection of Filipino communities from climate- and disaster-related risks through climate and disaster risk finance and insurance (CDRFI). On August 13, the Department of Finance (DOF) convened a national dialogue to inform CDRFI priorities, including those that can be supported by the Global Shield against Climate Risks. A joint initiative of the Vulnerable Twenty (V20) Group of Finance Ministers and the G7 (Group of Seven), the Global Shield against Climate Risks aims to strengthen the financial protection and resilience of climate-vulnerable countries and communities. [...]
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? [...]
ICSC leads regional workshop to strengthen CDRFI in SEA
As part of its efforts to broaden understanding CDRFI in Southeast Asia, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) facilitated a regional workshop with the Multi-Actor Partnership on Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (MAP-CDRFI) on 29 May, 2025 at the Makati Diamond Residences, Philippines. “Anchoring our strategies in community‐driven evidence and bottom-up insights ensures they enhance, rather than replace, national policies and international support, so every stakeholder’s perspective shapes the design and delivery of financial protection systems,” stressed ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos Dela Cruz in his keynote speech. Aiming to review the process of CDRFI [...]
ICSC and DLSU-JRIG Partner to Boost Climate Finance Utilization in the Philippines
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), represented by Executive Director Angelo Kairos Dela Cruz, and the De La Salle University Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance (DLSU-JRIG), represented by DLSU Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. Raymond R. Tan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the De La Salle University Manila on Tuesday, May 27, affirming their commitment to ensure the effective utilization of climate finance. “This is more than forging a partnership, it’s a testament to our shared commitment of advancing inclusive climate resilience and sustainable development at all levels of governance,” says DLSU-JRIG [...]
Information session takes stock of CSO’s role in climate and disaster risk financing
MAKATI CITY, Philippines— Representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and government agencies convened in an information session on the Global Shield against Climate Risks to highlight the critical role of CSOs in climate and disaster financing in the Philippines on April 14, 2025. The session was organized by the Global Shield Secretariat, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), and Start Network, co-organized and with the support from Philippine Department of Finance (DOF). The session provided a deep dive on the Global Shield against Climate Risks, a joint initiative of the Vulnerable 20 Group of Finance [...]