The Climate Change Commission strengthened its partnership with civil society to reinforce climate action programs.
The CCC last week convened a multi-sectoral consultation with representatives from civil society, grassroots organizations, social movements, international NGOs and the private sector to shape a future that builds the resilience of communities and value chains.
The gathering took place a year after the official launch of WE CAN (Working to Empower Climate Action Network), the CCC’s institutionalized engagement mechanism with civil society organizations (CSOs).
The initiative marked a major shift in how the government engages non-state stakeholders, transitioning from ad hoc consultations to a formal Civil Society Assembly to ensure consistent, inclusive, and strategic collaboration.
“Today’s assembly reflects a deepening of our partnership with civil society,” said CCC Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. “We are proud of the progress we have made, but we are even more committed to closing the remaining gaps. With WE CAN, we move from episodic engagement to a sustainable, structured platform that will help shape both local impact and global climate positioning.”
The CCC since 2022 has worked with 47 CSOs, many of which serve as umbrella organizations with extensive grassroots networks.
In 2023 and 2024, the agency formalized engagements with six CSOs and eight academic institutions to strengthen cooperation in priority areas. These include capacity building for climate governance, climate impact assessment, local resilience planning, knowledge sharing, policy development, gender mainstreaming, and local climate risk profiling.
Similarly, the CCC is working closely with the private sector, particularly in Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) capacity building workshops, business leadership through climate thematic discussions, and climate campaigning.
Addressing the private sector present, Borje stated,
“You are present in communities that host your operations. Your value chains are a main artery that brings a critical lifeline to your business,” said Borje.
“And to this, we challenge you: raise your business ambition towards a future that builds the resilience of your communities and value chains. Position your communities to lead and thrive in a carbon-free economy – a green, resilient, and sustainable future,” he added.
Beatriz Anne C. Faustino, Chief of the Strategic Partnership Division, stressed the indispensable role of partnerships in effectively confronting the climate crisis. CCC News
“The government cannot do it alone. A whole-of-society approach is necessary, one that brings together various sectors to collaborate on strategies and policy development,” she said.
“For instance, CSOs amplify the voices of communities, particularly those at the grassroots level who are among the most vulnerable.”
She said collaborative approach helps ensure that each sector receives interventions that are targeted and tailored to its specific needs. CCC News
