“Climate change issues have to be addressed through science based approaches that are appropriate to various ecosystems”, said Director Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

He added that apart from gathering baseline data on climate change, it is also necessary to provide information for understanding the effects and impacts of climate change. Hence, extension services was added as one of the Bureau’s main agenda in climate change adaptation strategy.

In line with this, ERDB, with DENR’s Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO) and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ)-Adaptation to Climate Change and Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCBio) project, has gathered scientists, media reporters, members of the academe, research and development institutions, and funding agencies to a forum-workshop to seek consensus in formulating and prioritizing the research, development, and extension (RDE) agenda of the environment and natural resources sector in its hope to mainstream climate change adaptation. The Forum-Workshop on RDE Agenda for Environment and Natural Resources on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) was held on August 17-18, 2010 at the Heritage Hotel, Manila, Philippines.

The Philippines is a climate change hotspot. However, it only produces minimal carbon emissions  making adaptation a necessary response than mitigation. This strategy is reflected in the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change 2010-2022.

According to Dr. Bernd-Markus Liss of GTZ, the challenge in CCA is its implementation. He emphasized that “research can only be understandable if implemented”. As an example, he cited that methodologies and technologies have to be developed to help farmers adapt to climate change. Furthermore, these research results need to be translated in the language that the farmers can understand, such as making ecosystems and livelihood systems more resilient to climate change—leading to sustainable development of communities. He affirmed GTZ’s financial assistance in this matter.

As support to the Extension Agenda, Dean Cleofe Torres of the College of Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) discussed Communication for Climate Change. Scientists agreed that a proper communication approach is vital in mainstreaming climate change adaptation, not only to its direct stakeholders but more importantly to policy makers.

Commissioner Heherson Alvarez of the Climate Change Commission and DENR Undersecretary Manuel Geroche were also present in the event. Alvarez reported highlights of the Copenhagen Accord, and emphasized that even if the Philippines continues to effectively adapt to climate change, efforts would still be wasted if developed countries will not cut down on their carbon emission. He advocates that industrialized countries cut their carbon emissions since they produce the most greenhouse gases (GHGs) contributing greatly to climate change. He also promised to not give up on the ambitious target of a Climate Agreement. He is set to attend the 16th Conference of Parties (COP) in Cancun, Mexico on November 29 to December 10, 2010 for the sought after climate deal.

On the other hand, USEC Geroche reminded the scientific community to do research “for the sake of humanity”. He said that there should be emphasis in the social aspect of research while not forgetting its scientific basis. “Research has to be mainstreamed into the lives of people”, Geroche said.

Apart from GTZ, representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) also attended the forum. They indicated that their organizations are open for partnership with the government, and can provide funding for  the country’s research, development and extension activities  on CCA.

The output of the workshop is a revised RDE Agenda for Climate Change Adaptation. The participants prioritized and ranked research agenda that can be undertaken by the DENR research sector. High priority concerns include: climate change vulnerability and adaptation assessment, river basin management, coastal and marine system, biodiversity, water governance and management, climate responsive upland and agro-ecosystem and disaster risk reduction.

The outcome of the forum-workshop were to be the inputs to DENR’s 2nd Research Sectoral Conference to be held on 19-20 August 2010.