Strengthening Climate Resilience Across the UP System

Across its constituent units and campuses, the University of the Philippines (UP) is transitioning toward the use of energy from low-carbon sources, particularly renewable energy that produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions. By promoting low-carbon energy use, UP actively supports sustainability efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce air pollution, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 13, Target 13.2, which calls for integrating climate change measures into institutional policies and practices.

• UP Cebu used 742,900 GJ of energy, with 222,870 GJ from low-carbon sources.
• UP Los Baños used 52,932.69 GJ of energy.
• UP Mindanao used 769,829 GJ of energy.
• UP Open University used 60 kWh/day, with 0.216 GJ of energy from low-carbon sources.

These efforts reflect UP’s commitment to sustainable energy management and climate-conscious operations, demonstrating measurable progress in the reduction of the university’s carbon footprint.

The University of the Philippines (UP) has spearheaded or collaborated with various stakeholders and sectors to provide communities with local education programmes on climate risks, impacts, mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning systems.

• UP Cebu launched the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Project in collaboration with Kyoto University to develop a comprehensive inventory of greenhouse gas emission sources on campus. Between July and September 2022, students, faculty, and staff participated in a mobility survey to calculate their carbon footprint and identify strategies to reduce GHG emissions from daily commuting.
• The UP Tacloban College (UPTC) inaugurated the People’s Museum of Climate Justice in partnership with Greenpeace Philippines on November 6, 2023, marking the 10th anniversary of Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The exhibit featured objects of memory, art, multimedia materials, photographs, and narratives from communities affected by climate change, highlighting the lived experiences of Yolanda survivors in Eastern Visayas and residents of sinking island barangays in Bohol.
• On August 2, 2024, the UP Diliman School of Economics, together with the Philippine Center for Economic Development, organized Clarion: Sounding the Call for Climate Action. The event featured the UP Concert Chorus under Professor Jai Sabas-Aracama, using music as a medium to raise awareness about climate change..
• UPTC’s Division of Humanities also conducted Pasiday para ha Kalibutan on April 30, 2024, showcasing poetry performances by students from Lit 197 (Special Topics: Philippine Ecopoetry), emphasizing the role of literature and the arts in communicating environmental and climate issues.

UPLB Online Course on Ecosystems Valuation UP Los Baños Online Course on Ecosystems Valuation The UP Los Baños (UPLB) School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM), in partnership with the Philippines Network of Educators for the Environment (PNEE), conducted the fifth batch of its short online training course on ecosystems valuation from July 22 to 24, 2024. The three-day program aimed to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to quantify and value ecosystem services for improved environmental assessment and decision-making. Opening the event, PNEE President Cecilia Navasero-Gascon and SESAM Dean Rico C. Ancog emphasized the program’s goals of fostering collaboration and deepening understanding of the economic and ecological significance of ecosystems in decision-making processes. The course consisted of four sessions on ecosystem valuation concepts, methodologies, and practical exercises. Along with Ancog, other distinguished experts shared their insights, including Dr. Marites Tiongco (De La Salle University), Ma. Christina Corales (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture), Professor Paul Joseph B. Ramirez (UPLB College of Economics and Management), and Dr. Canesio D. Predo (UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources). Seventy-six participants completed the three-day training program. Among the participants were international and local professionals, students, and representatives from national government agencies, local government units, government-owned and -controlled corporations, private companies, and nongovernment organizations. The training was organized by SESAM’s Continuing Education and Training Division, led by For. Sofia Alaira, with team members Dr. Thaddeus Lawas, Cherry Padilla, Jessa Aquino-Cando, and PNEE Secretariat Evangeline Alcantara. By providing capacity-building opportunities on ecosystem valuation, the program enhances local stakeholders’ ability to implement climate-smart policies, prioritize ecosystem protection, and make informed decisions that advance Sustainable Development Goal 13, particularly in climate adaptation and resilience planning.

Through partnerships with the government, the University of the Philippines (UP) led and participated in cooperative planning for climate change disasters.

• The UP Diliman (UPD) Extension Program in Pampanga-based student organization UP LAKAN Clark collaborated with the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office for Lakalinga: Lundayan, a tree-planting activity held on October 29, 2023, in Sitio Suha, Barangay San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan.
• A new study from the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology of the UPD College of Science found that future Philippine typhoons this century may have a higher cyclone damage potential than current typhoons if the climate becomes warmer and more humid, based on multiple climate projections for the years 2070 to 2099. Led by Dr. Rafaela Jane Delfino and Dr. Gerry Bagtasa, in collaboration with colleagues from the United Kingdom, this study provides critical insights for long-term disaster preparedness and climate adaptation planning.
• The UP Open University also implemented its Incident Command System in line with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation framework.
• UP Visayas (UPV) administrators and key personnel participated in the two-day workshop Ang Pagpasangkad: A Training-Workshop on Crisis Management, organized by the UPV Crisis Management Committee and led by Aljohn T. Torreta from May 2 to 3, 2024. The workshop aimed to strengthen UPV’s crisis management plans and build capacity for efficient disaster response.

Urban and Regional Planning Students Present Development Recommendations to Los Baños local government The Watershed Integrated Area Land Use Planning Team of UP Los Baños helped facilitate the presentation by students from the UP Diliman School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP) to the Municipal Government of Los Baños on January 31, 2024. The SURP students discussed their proposed development thrust, outlining a strategic roadmap that incorporated social, economic, and environmental considerations for holistic and inclusive development. Furthermore, the comprehensive urban planning dialogue explored the sectoral profile of Los Baños, explaining the municipality’s characteristics and needs that can support informed decision-making. This portion of the presentation also highlighted an analysis of land supply and demand and addressed challenges related to projected population growth.

The University of the Philippines (UP) informs and supports local or regional government units in local climate change, and risk or disaster early warning and monitoring. UP Los Baños Team Conducts Consultation Workshop for Zoning and Risk Assessment in San Gabriel, La Union The Watershed Integrated Area Land Use Planning (WILUP) Team of UP Los Baños (UPLB) assisted the Municipal Government of San Gabriel, La Union, in preparing its Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) zoning through a consultation workshop on September 11, 2023. Participants included barangay chairpersons, environment committee representatives, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) officers, secretaries, and the president of the Association of Barangay Captains. During the workshop, Dr. Yusuf Sucol, WILUP’s CDRA expert, presented Steps 1 through 5 of the CDRA process. Attendees reviewed and validated existing data on climatic patterns and potential hazards. Group exercises organized participants by hazard type to create impact chain analyses, identifying environmental, economic, social, institutional, and infrastructure factors influencing local disaster risk and community resilience. For. Jan Joseph Dida, WILUP’s CLUP expert, presented previous target-setting outcomes and facilitated the validation of existing and proposed programs, projects, and activities (PPAs). He also identified remaining data requirements necessary to finalize the municipality’s zoning map, which will serve as the foundation for drafting the CLUP. Next steps include the Municipal DRRM Officer completing the remaining CDRA data and the local government coordinating with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 1 to acquire boundary datasets. Through these initiatives, UPLB aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 13 by supporting local governments in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable land use planning, strengthening resilience and preparedness in vulnerable communities.

The University of the Philippines (UP) continues to engage with non-government organizations and civil society in developing local education projects on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and disaster planning.

• UP Visayas (UPV) hosted the Island and Coastal Ecologies Workshop: A Sustainable Futures Initiative from January 17–21, 2024, at the Miagao campus. Scholars and community members examined local coastal ecosystems and co-developed sustainable programs, with partners including the Center for West Visayan Studies, UPV Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, UP Office of International Linkages, Henry Luce Foundation, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia, and University of California Los Angeles affiliates.

Net Zero Initiative Consortium Launched The UP Los Baños Interdisciplinary Life Cycle Assessment Laboratory and the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers spearheaded the ceremonial launch of the Philippine National Consortium on Net Zero Initiative (PH NCNZI) at the Pardo Hall in De La Salle University Manila on June 19, 2024. The consortium aims to drive the country’s transition toward a net-zero future, aligning with global climate targets outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Legislators at the event highlighted their sponsored laws intended to mitigate climate change by building a resilient, sustainable economy, reducing carbon emissions, achieving Net Zero goals, and providing a legal framework for compensating climate change victims. Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert E.A. Borje emphasized the importance of educating stakeholders, promoting participation in consortium training programs, and strengthening multisector collaboration across government agencies, private organizations, and academic institutions. Representatives from 40 academic institutions, 11 government agencies, and seven industry partners attended the launch. Through these initiatives, the consortium not only supports national climate action policies but also fosters capacity-building, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders. By promoting sustainable practices and preparing for climate impacts, the PH NCNZI directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 13, supporting mitigation, adaptation, and resilience-building in the Philippines.