DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh (2nd from left) at one of the side events of the Seventh GEF Assembly.
DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, who is serving as the GEF Operational Focal Point for the Philippines, presented the experiences of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN Philippines), the lessons learned from the Strengthening National Systems to Improve Governance and Management of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories (Philippine ICCA Project), and the country’s position on Green Hydrogen at the side events of the Seventh GEF Assembly in Vancouver, Canada on August 22, 2023.
A New Generation of National Biodiversity Finance Plans
Undersecretary Teh highlighted the challenges, lessons learned, and best practices of BIOFIN in the Philippines in the provision of support to policies, in the mainstreaming of biodiversity financing in the government, and in the implementation through the localization of the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) at the DENR regional level and selected local government units while tapping investments from the private sector and finance solutions that involve the general public.
Indigenous Peoples Hub
Equipped with the insights into and knowledge gained from the implementation of the Philippine ICCA Project, she expounded the country’s experience in engaging IP organizations as local responsible partners, fostering government-community partnership, crafting institutional policies for ICCA integration, establishing community-driven sustainability mechanisms, reviving traditional knowledge and empowering the youth.
Clean Hydrogen Uptake and De-risking of Investments in Developing Countries and Transition Economies
The DENR official was upbeat about the potential of green hydrogen technology in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and its contribution to the achievement of the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). She said that the promotion of green hydrogen would generate multiple benefits as it would reduce energy costs especially in off-grid areas in the country that are still dependent on fuel-based technologies. (FASPS/ Teara Constine Rabang)
