UK Special Representative for Nature, Ruth Davis, visited the Philippines to strengthen climate, ocean, and biodiversity partnerships.
Her trip included high-level meetings, the launch of the COAST Innovation Grant Fund, and discussions on finance, adaptation, and resilient food systems in preparation for COP30.
Strengthening Climate and Nature Ties
During her visit, Ruth Davis met with Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Senator Loren Legarda, and Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert Borje.
The talks highlighted shared priorities including carbon markets, nature finance, resilient food systems, and ocean conservation.
Both nations emphasised the importance of working together to advance biodiversity protection, blue economy initiatives, and community resilience. Davis confirmed the UK’s continued support as the Philippines prepares for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.
Launch of COAST Facility Philippines
A major highlight of the visit was the launch of the UK’s Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) Facility in the Philippines.
The programme offers an Innovation Grant Fund of £200,000–£500,000 for local projects aimed at advancing coastal resilience.
Projects are invited to focus on:
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Protecting and restoring ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs.
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Supporting small-scale fisheries and aquaculture.
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Building diversified coastal livelihoods.
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Promoting inclusive governance and community leadership.
This initiative forms part of the UK’s Blue Planet Fund and represents a practical investment in the Philippines’ coastal communities.
Blue Economy and Regional Cooperation
A high-level forum on blue economy and blue carbon showcased how coastal ecosystems can drive climate action while supporting jobs and food security. Philippine leaders underlined the urgency of financing innovative solutions such as debt-for-nature swaps and blue bonds.
Davis also met with representatives from the Asian Development Bank, UN Development Programme, and Food and Agriculture Organisation to explore how climate and nature finance could be leveraged more effectively for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Science and Research Engagement
The visit extended beyond policy, reaching into science and innovation. In Los Baños, Davis engaged with institutions including the International Rice Research Institute, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, PhilRice, and the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
She stressed the importance of turning world-class regional expertise into global action, particularly in building resilient agri-food systems and scaling nature-based solutions.
Priorities of the COAST Innovation Grant Fund
| Priorities | The Focus |
|---|---|
| Ecosystem Protection | Safeguarding mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows. |
| Fisheries | Promoting sustainable small-scale fisheries and post-harvest practices. |
| Aquaculture | Supporting biodiversity-friendly and climate-resilient aquaculture. |
| Coastal Livelihoods | Developing eco-tourism and community enterprises. |
| Climate Resilience | Blue carbon initiatives and disaster risk reduction. |
| Governance | Ensuring inclusive participation in coastal planning. |
Looking Ahead to COP30
The UK–Philippines partnership is positioned as part of broader preparations for COP30. As fellow island nations, both countries recognise that healthy seas underpin economic security and community wellbeing.
Davis reaffirmed that the UK will continue to support the Philippines in championing ocean and climate issues within ASEAN and on the global stage.
In Conclusion
The visit by UK Nature Envoy Ruth Davis highlighted shared commitments between Britain and the Philippines to safeguard oceans, build resilient food systems, and empower coastal communities.
The launch of the COAST Innovation Grant Fund provides a concrete step toward delivering these ambitions.
The UK–Philippines climate partnership demonstrates how international cooperation can translate into practical initiatives, combining finance, science, and community leadership to secure a sustainable future.
Sources: British Embassy Manila & COAST Facility.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
