PHILIPPINES SHARES NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS BEST PRACTICES DURING GLOBAL CONSULTATIONS

(DENR-ERDB OIC Conrado Marquez speaks about PH nature-based solution flagship programs during the Second Regional and Global Consultations on Nature-based Solutions on 9-13 October 2023 in Nairobi).

Nairobi, 17 October 2023 – The Philippines participated in the Second Regional and Global Consultations on Nature-based Solutions on 9-13 October 2023 at the UN Office in Nairobi.

As part of the intergovernmental effort, the Philippines shared insights and best practices on how countries can best use nature-based solutions to protect, conserve, restore and sustainably manage natural and modified ecosystems that address challenges such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity loss and food security.

OIC Conrado Marquez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB) highlighted two PH projects: the National Greening Program, which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees in the country from 2011 to 2028, to facilitate poverty reduction, food security, environmental stability, biodiversity conservation and  climate change mitigation and adaptation; and the Community-based Forest Management Strategy, which stresses the importance of involving communities in the sustainable management of the country's forest resources through projects such as timber harvesting, agro-forestry and livestock raising.

OIC Marquez also participated as a panelist during the panel discussion titled, “Standards and Criteria” during the second day of the consultations where he acknowledged the importance of adaptability of governments and willingness to consider nature-based solutions to address multifaceted environmental challenges. 

The UN Environment Program was requested to convene these consultations during the resumed Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly through UNEA Resolution 5/5: “Nature based-solutions for supporting sustainable development” in February 2022.  The consultations aim to discuss six issues to better implement nature-based solutions: best practices, standards and criteria, opportunities and obstacles, policies, cost and benefit measurements and financing of nature-based solutions.

(DENR-ERDB OIC Conrado Marquez during the panel discussion on Standards and Criteria during the Second Regional and Global Consultations on Nature-based Solutions on 9-13 October 2023 in Nairobi).