By 2040, the impacts of climate change are minimized and disaster risks reduced through Nature-based solutions and/or Ecosystem-based approaches, and relevant indigenous knowledge systems and practices

To achieve Target 8,  a series of strategic actions are needed. 

Increase the Number of Climate-proofed Protected Area Management Plans

• Prepare baseline information (with vulnerability assessment report) per target against threats/climate perils (historical and/or probabilistic).
• Conduct vulnerability and risk assessments in terrestrial, coastal, marine and other natural ecosystems
• Identify the most significant climate change threats to each protected area, including risks from increased temperatures, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification.

Mainstream Nature-based Solutions (NBS) Across Sectoral Plans

Prepare NBS prescriptions in vulnerable areas.

Design nature-based solutions tailored to each protected area's unique ecosystems and threats, focusing on restoring and conserving natural habitats to enhance resilience against climate change.

Climate-proof and incorporate NBS prescriptions of Protected Area Management Plan, LLCAP, NCCAP/NAP, NDRMM,CLUP(CDRA), Watershed Management Plan, among others adopted and implemented (with vulnerability & risk assessments; Nature-based solutions Programs, Activities, and Projects (NBS PAPs); climate insurance, Automated Weather Station (AWS), etc)

Enhance Ecosystem Resilience: Strengthen the resilience of ecosystems within protected areas through reforestation, mangrove restoration, and the protection of coral reefs to reduce the impact of storms, flooding, and other disasters.

Adopt and Enforce Stricter Zoning and Land-Use Policies: Prevent development and activities that could increase vulnerability to climate impacts, such as deforestation, unsustainable tourism, and construction in high-risk areas.

Increase coastline planted to mangroves

• Legislate/pass national policy on greenbelts
• Integrate NBS into National and Local Development Plans: Work with relevant government agencies to ensure that nature-based solutions are incorporated into broader national and local development, agriculture, fisheries, and urban planning policies.
• Promote Cross-sectoral Collaboration: Foster partnerships between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and local communities to implement and scale up nature-based solutions.
• Implement Climate risk insurance
• Conduct studies on the effects of climate change on the priority threatened species
• Secure Funding for NBS Initiatives: Identify and tap into national and international funding sources, including the Green Climate Fund, for projects that utilize nature-based solutions to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

Minimize Cost of Damages from Disasters in Protected Areas

• Installation of automatic weather stations (AWS)
• Implement Early Warning Systems and Disaster Preparedness Plans: Use data from AWS and other sources to improve early warning systems for natural disasters, and prepare local communities and stakeholders with evacuation plans and disaster preparedness training.
• Collation and use of climate data (geographic) using available platforms (PAGASA, AWS, etc.).
• Conduct capacity building on the use of climate data to design and implement adaptation and mitigation measures.

Mitigate GHG Emissions

Carbon stock assessment of natural ecosystems

• Promote Renewable Energy Sources: Encourage the use of renewable energy within and around protected areas by facilitating the installation of solar, wind, and hydroelectric power systems.
• Implement Sustainable Forest Management Practices: Enhance carbon sequestration through reforestation, afforestation, and preventing deforestation activities in and around protected areas.
• Adopt Low-Carbon Transportation Options: Support the use of electric vehicles, non-motorized transport, and public transport systems to reduce emissions from the transport sector.
• Improve Waste Management: Implement waste reduction, composting, and recycling programs to decrease methane emissions from waste decomposition.
• Enhance Industrial Efficiency: Work with industries to adopt cleaner, more efficient processes and technologies that reduce emissions.

Cross-cutting Actions

• Capacity Building and Education: Train protected area managers, local government units, and community stakeholders on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity conservation.
• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework: Establish a robust M&E framework to track progress on the implementation of climate-proofed management plans, the effectiveness of nature-based solutions, disaster cost reduction, and GHG emission mitigation.

Achieving these requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society led by the government with sustained investment in research, technology, and capacity building (Target 20). Agencies include DENR (BMB, CCS), CCC, DND (OCD), DILG, DOST (PAGASA), DOTr, CHED.

Set up a dedicated funding window for nature-based solutions (e.g redefine People’s Survival Fund (PSF). The People’s Survival Fund (PSF) is established to provide long-stream finance for adaptation projects of local government units and local/community organizations aimed at increasing resilience of communities and ecosystems to climate change. A dedicated funding window can be set up to enable LGUs, local/community organizations to access this fund appropriate to an area’s unique NBS activities.

Enhancement of the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) - Strengthening this fund to support the specific needs for climate-proofing protected areas, including vulnerability and risk assessments, nature-based solutions (NBS), and climate insurance.

Development of a Comprehensive NBS Framework - While various policies touch on nature-based solutions, a comprehensive framework that integrates NBS across sectors and governance levels would enhance mainstreaming and funding for such approaches.

Institutionalization of Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRVA) - For protected areas, making CRVA a mandatory part of the management plan development and review process, ensuring that these plans are adaptive and resilient to climate change impacts.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Mitigation Strategies Specific to Protected Areas - While national GHG mitigation strategies exist, there is a need for specific strategies focusing on the unique contexts of protected areas, including reforestation, fire management, and sustainable tourism practices.

Inter-agency and Multi-sectoral Coordination Mechanism - Establishing a formal mechanism for coordination among government agencies, LGUs, indigenous communities, and the private sector for implementing climate-proofing and resilience-building measures in protected areas.

Integration of Climate Adaptation and Mitigation in the Education System - Ensuring that the education system at all levels includes curriculum on climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, to build a knowledgeable base for future conservation efforts (Target 14).

Financial Mechanisms for Climate-proofing Initiatives - Developing new financial mechanisms or enhancing existing ones, such as the People’s Survival Fund, to specifically support climate-proofing initiatives in protected areas (Target 19).

Monitoring and Evaluation For effective implementation, a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework must be established to track progress against the indicators provided. This would involve regular collection of data on the number of climate-proofed protected area management plans, the mainstreaming and funding of nature-based solutions, the cost of damages from disasters in protected areas, and the mitigation of GHG emissions.

Achieving the KMGBF Global Target 8 in the Philippines will require a comprehensive and integrated approach, combining legislative, policy, and practical measures across sectors and governance levels.