Manila: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has formally adopted the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that positions ecosystem restoration as a central element of the country's climate and disaster resilience strategy.
According to Philippines News Agency, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna announced that DENR Administrative Order No. 2026 30, signed on June 29, integrates NbS into the department's existing and future policies, plans, and programs. It also establishes a national framework to scale ecosystem-based interventions. Cuna emphasized that the policy aims to leverage nature as a key ally for Filipino families, highlighting the benefits of restoring forests, mangroves, and urban green spaces to mitigate flood risks, secure water supplies, and protect livelihoods.
The administrative order prioritizes efforts such as restoring forests and watersheds, rehabilitating mangroves, coral reefs, and wetlands, protecting seagrass beds, expanding urban green spaces, and improving watershed management and flood mitigation. These efforts will focus particularly on climate-vulnerable provinces, critical watersheds, coastal areas, and urban ecosystems.
To ensure effective implementation, the policy incorporates the IUCN Global Standard, which involves using localized performance indicators and self-assessment tools. A NbS technical working group will be responsible for overseeing the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of these interventions. The group will also develop a roadmap, a monitoring and evaluation system, and technical standards to guide future projects.
Additionally, the policy mandates the integration of NbS into the DENR's annual planning and budgeting processes. It requires the development of key performance indicators to measure outcomes such as reduced flooding, improved water quality, increased forest and coastal ecosystem cover, biodiversity gains, and livelihood improvements.
Capacity-building programs for DENR personnel and partners are also planned, along with the establishment of a national NbS Registry to track projects and results. The policy encourages collaboration with local governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.
Funding for these initiatives may come from government appropriations, development partners, payments for ecosystem services, and carbon and blue carbon financing, thereby supporting the expansion of ecosystem restoration efforts nationwide.
Cuna stated that embedding NbS into local development plans and government investments will bolster community resilience to climate impacts. He emphasized the importance of allocating dedicated budget lines to ensure that investments yield both ecological recovery and household security, ultimately benefiting typical Filipino households through reduced flood damage, cleaner water, and new livelihood opportunities from restored ecosystems.
