The government supports gender-responsive, nature-based solutions to close the climate finance gap, Department of Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said.

“Recognizing this, the Philippines’ Department of Finance actively supports the mainstreaming of gender initiatives in the mobilization of resources for climate adaptation and mitigation programs,” Diokno said during the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.

Diokno cited three key elements of gender-responsive climate action, such as the collection of sex-disaggregated data, participation of both women and men in climate-related decision-making, and gender-equitable access to the benefits of climate finance.

For one, he noted that the country’s People’s Survival Fund (PSF), which he chairs, is a prime model for gender-responsiveness as it is managed by a board of women and girls represented through the Philippine Commission on Women.

Its criteria for approval take into account how a project responds to gender-differentiated vulnerabilities to climate change, Diokno stated.

“The Fund supports game-changing projects that elevate the role of women in building climate resilience. Among these are the mangrove rehabilitation project, the development of the agroforestry industry, and the establishment of climate resiliency field schools,” he said.

Diokno also noted the country’s gender-responsive solutions that include the development of a Gender Action Plan with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the submission of its Nationally-Determined Contribution, and the finalization of the country’s National Adaptation Plan.

“If we fail our women and girls, climate action will fall short.  Climate justice can only be attained when no one is left behind,”  he said.

Meanwhile, Andrew Hurst, Executive Director of Climate Finance at Global Affairs Canada revealed that Canada will be doubling its climate finance assistance to developing countries to $5.3 billion until 2026.

Eighty percent of the projects Canada will fund integrate gender equality principles, he said.

The event was organized in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines and with support from the Government of Canada to address the urgent need for innovative financial policy initiatives in the country.