ICSC, DBP sign partnership to accelerate climate investments through GCF, spark broader collaboration with financial institutions
Following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) held a coordination meeting in Makati City on June 22 to discuss the development of project proposals under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) pipeline. ICSC is an accredited civil society observer to the GCF, with Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz serving as an Active Observer to the GCF Board, representing civil society organizations from developing countries. The organization also acts as convenor of GCFWatch, a civil society-led initiative empowering civil society, Indigenous [...]
ICSC: Meralco-Sta. Rita contract risks continued exposure to rising LNG power costs
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities [ANALYSIS] ICSC: Meralco-Sta. Rita contract risks continued exposure to rising LNG power costs QUEZON CITY, 26 January 2026 –– As the one-time interim extension of the power supply agreement (PSA) between Meralco and First Gen Sta. Rita near its end, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities highlights the need for a more thorough and careful planning process for future power procurement, as the reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) has led to rising electricity costs that are shouldered by Filipino households and businesses. The PSA extension to operate until January 31 [...]
Charged for Change
by Jedidiah Yabut Editor’s Note: Jed is currently a Data Analyst with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities. The Road to Renewables: Conversations on Energy Transition in Tacloban City was a four-day gathering focused on one big goal: localizing the Philippine energy transition. National policies are important, but they don’t mean much if local governments, communities, and cooperatives can’t translate them into action. That’s what this event aimed to do: bridge the gap between ambition and the realities on the ground. It brought together mayors, vice mayors, regional planners, civil society leaders, academics, journalists, and private sector [...]
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 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 [...]