DENR finalizing procedures for accessing Green Climate Fund

December 3, 2017

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it is finalizing procedures for access by national organizations to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a global initiative aimed at helping developing nations tackle climate change.

The DENR is the national designated authority (NDA) to the GCF, which is a global financial mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).

Under a DENR Special Order, the agency’s Climate Change Service, and the Office of the Undersecretary for Climate Change were named as the GCF secretariat, and the national program director and focal point, respectively, under the country’s Green Climate Fund Readiness Programme (GCFRP).

“As NDA to the GCF, the DENR will provide leadership in helping Philippine organizations get to implement projects that help meet the country’s priorities to reduce emissions and achieve the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) on climate change,” Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said.

Last Nov. 13, the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) came up with a Joint Statement on Climate Change delivered at the 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCC held in Bonn, Germany.

One of the salient points of the joint statement was the appeal for GCF to facilitate and promote direct access of the fund by the ASEAN and other developing country parties for the “achievement of the sustainable development and global goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Organizations such as government agencies, civil society, development partners and the private sector that meet the required fiduciary standards can apply as Accredited Entities that can submit proposals to the GCF for funding.

As NDA, the DENR, with support from the GCF Readiness Programme, is establishing a “No Objection Procedure,” which included a screening and prioritization tool (SPT).

The SPT will prioritize concept notes that meet the GCF investment criteria and can potentially contribute to the country’s priorities in adapting and mitigating climate change.

The DENR will also be providing technical assistance to entities interested in applying for GCF accreditation.

DENR Undersecretary for Climate Change Service Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, whose office serves as the country’s focal point to the GCF, said the DENR will facilitate the processing of all climate change mitigation and adaptation funding proposals.

“This announcement will strengthen our ongoing commitment to adopt a whole-of-government approach to a climate-resilient Philippines,” Teh said, as she urged concerned organizations to develop project ideas that can be endorsed to GCF for funding. DMS