Germany allots P170M for 'climate-smart development'

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA -- The German government has allotted P170 million in support of what it described as a “climate-smart development” green growth program of the Philippines, via the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ or Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).

This was relayed by Gudrun Kopp, the German Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), during a meeting on Wednesday with National Economic and Planning Agency (NEDA) Secretary Cayetano Paderanga.

They exchanged views on how greater efficiency with resources will enhance competitiveness and how "green products" can open new markets, according to the German embassy in Manila.

Green Economy as a way of advancing economic and social development through sustainable use of natural resources is an emerging concept in the Philippines. In the framework of "inclusive growth", it is seen as the overriding concern of the Philippine Development Plan (2011--2016) of the Aquino government.

GIZ funds the "Green Economy" project to be implemented in 2013 onwards. The aid agency supports the implementation of Aquino’s Five-Year Development Plan via assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises so that they can cope with climate change and mitigate requirements while still remaining competitive.

The German embassy observed that about 98 percent of registered business establishments here are micro, small and medium enterprises. Thus they play a crucial role in the greening of industries and services, and since they provide many employment opportunities, they have a major role to play in alleviating poverty.

The new program can build on the established links between Germany-through GIZ-and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

It will be noted that the Philippine Climate Change Commission, with German support, has drawn up the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) to serve as a road map in addressing the causes and effects of climate change, including its impact on the economy. The plan makes "Climate-Smart Industries and Services" a strategic priority, the embassy said.

Kopp is in Manila for the Governors Meeting of the Asian Development Bank. He is slated to give a talk, entitled “Climate Policy Cooperation: Germany's Engagement in Asia,” as a side event of the ADB on Thursday afternoon, May 3,at the Philippine International Convention Center. 

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