In a significant gathering in Manila, the Philippines underscored the critical need for transparency, accountability, and cooperative efforts in tackling climate challenges that span across social and national lines. During the Open Government Partnership Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting on February 7, Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized the nation’s dedication to fostering an open and inclusive approach to climate governance. This approach, he argued, is essential for enhancing climate resilience and promoting sustainable development throughout the region.
Borje stressed the importance of breaking down governmental silos and fostering meaningful public participation to craft robust policies, improve their execution, and build greater public trust. He highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to open governance, which involves empowering communities with the necessary resources and knowledge to actively participate in climate action, thereby cultivating a culture that values transparent climate governance mechanisms.
The Philippines has demonstrated its commitment through the rapid development of its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP) under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership. These plans were completed in just 10 and 5 months, respectively, showcasing the effectiveness of inclusive governance frameworks and active stakeholder engagement in achieving significant results.
A major topic at the meeting was the transparency of climate finance, with Borje pointing to the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET) mechanism as a tool for tracking climate-related financial allocations. This system enables public oversight of financial flows, ensuring that investments lead to tangible and measurable outcomes.
Borje also proposed the development of an ASEAN-wide open governance framework for climate finance and carbon markets to enhance regional collaboration. He emphasized the importance of balancing high-quality policy discussions with substantial investments, referencing the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2020-2040, which aims to transition the country to renewable energy while maintaining financial transparency and public trust.
He called on civil society organizations, research institutions, and advocacy groups to actively participate in monitoring climate finance and influencing policy development. The meeting also featured discussions on various pressing issues, including AI governance, anti-corruption measures, misinformation, and public finance reforms, with contributions from experts from Australia, Indonesia, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka.
The Climate Change Commission reaffirmed its commitment to embedding open governance principles into climate policies, ensuring that efforts in adaptation and mitigation align with both national and global objectives while promoting transparency and public engagement.