Philippines gets climate change aid from Germany

MANILA, Philippines — The German government has committed an additional €35 million to fund the Philippines’ climate change adaptation projects, citing the country’s vulnerability to the effects of global warming.

German Ambassador Gordon Kricke said the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), through the International Climate Initiative (IKI), has provided support of at least €62 million for technical cooperation projects in the Philippines since 2008.

“The Philippines remains one of the German Environment Ministry’s focus countries under IKI,” Kricke said at a dinner reception in his Makati residence last Wednesday, marking the 10th anniversary of IKI here.

“The BMU is now committing additional funds of up to €35 million based on priorities that are defined by the Philippine government consistent with IKI’s areas of support,” he said, adding that the Philippines and Germany are close partners in fighting global warming.

“There’s no doubt Germany will remain a close partner in the future,” the envoy said, adding that his country will stay committed to the Paris climate agreement.

He stressed the importance of implementing climate resilience programs in biodiversity-rich Philippines.

“The Philippines is the country particularly affected by the negative consequences of global warming. It is also a country of great natural beauty and a hotspot of biodiversity in the world,” he said.

Kricke recognized the important achievements of IKI in the Philippines with 240 protected areas with improved management and livelihood, coastal and wildlife protection.

The main IKI implementing organizations in the country are the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, UN Development Program, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, UN Habitat, Plan International, Renewables Academy AG, Rare Inc., International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives-Local Governments for Sustainability and the World Wildlife Fund for Nature-Philippines.

Germany is a champion of clean energy through its Energiewende (German for energy transition) program.