Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) is an international non-government group advancing fair climate policy and low carbon, climate-resilient development. Check out this video to know more about ICSC's work.

We are excited to announce that the deadline for the Jaime Espina Klima Correspondents Fellowship 2024 application has been extended until November 8, 2024. This gives journalists and visual storytellers more time to apply for the opportunity to share impactful climate and energy stories with the support of expert consultations, in-person trainings, and receive up to PHP100,000 in grants. Apply for the #KlimaFellowship today and help us continue the legacy of Jose Jaime “Nonoy” Espina in powerful climate and energy reporting. Visit https://lnkd.in/g_4xzE6U for more information.

🌱 Empowering the Future of Renewable Energy in the Philippines! 🌱 The Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) Conference 2024 launched with an impactful first session in Quezon City, bringing together over 150 participants from government agencies, distribution utilities , renewable energy associations, financial institutions , and key stakeholders across the Philippine energy sector. Organized by the Department of Energy Philippines in partnership with the project Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) Philippines, this milestone event is dedicated to strengthening renewable energy compliance and fostering sector-wide collaboration. Highlights included plenary sessions on RPS compliance, the latest on the Renewable Energy Market, and power procurement strategies, as well as panel discussions on financial support and regulatory pathways. An afternoon of business matching allowed participants to connect directly with industry leaders to drive solutions and enhance RPS compliance. The RPS Conference 2024 continues today in Southern Luzon and will expand to Baguio City, Cebu City, and Davao City through December. We look forward to the inspiring discussions and actionable outcomes that lie ahead! 🌏 See more photos here >> https://lnkd.in/gAB5Ue79 #CASEforSEA #RPSConference2024 #EnergyTransition #CASEPhilippines #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability Department of Energy Philippines Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities

#UpdateFromTheFrontlines: ICSC joined representatives from civil society, government, the private sector, financial institutions, and other implementing entities engaged in critical #ClimateFinance discussions at the 40th Board Meeting of the Green Climate Fund (B.40), held October 21-24, 2024 in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea. ICSC is a member of the GCF observer network of civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, which evaluates and delivers interventions on various proposals and policy documents submitted to the Fund. Exec. Director Angelo Kairos Dela Cruz is the network’s Primary Active Observer to the GCF Board, representing developing country CSOs. For more information on ICSC’s participation in the GCFWatch network and #GCFB40, visit gcfwatch.org.

“We work together as an aligned independent community … so we can advocate together for a robust #GST that empowers countries to take greater climate action.” Opening the Independent Global Stocktake (iGST) Southeast Asia Hub’s workshop “Translating the Outcomes of the Global Stocktake into Regional and National Contexts” earlier this month, ICSC Director for Climate Policy Danica Marie Supnet highlighted the SEA Hub’s role in supporting the region’s #ClimateAction strategies and strengthening #ClimateAmbition.

#UpdateFromTheFrontlines: ICSC, represented by Senior Data Analyst Rebecca Cruz and Innovations Officer Glinly Alvero, joined discussions on the role of #RenewableEnergy (RE), electrification, and hydrogen in the #EnergyTransition at the recent “Powering the Transition” training workshop, held October 22-24, 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. Organized by Agora Industry and Agora Energiewende, the three-day event brought together 20 delegates from Vietnam, Singapore, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, and Thailand, the host country. The workshop focused on decarbonization strategies using renewable energy, while also covering opportunities and risk assessments in scaling electrification and presenting case studies on relevant policy frameworks to support better-informed decision-making. The whole event emphasized renewable energy as a no-regrets strategy, underscoring its critical role in driving the transition toward a sustainable energy future.

STRONGER TOGETHER: We’re excited to announce our program partners for this year’s Jaime Espina Klima Correspondents Fellowship! Together with the National Union of Journalists of The Philippines (NUJP), the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), and Thibi.co, the #KlimaFellowship aims to empower journalists and visual storytellers to share impactful, underreported stories on climate and energy in the Philippines. Join us! Filipino journalists and visual storytellers across all platforms (print, television, digital, radio) can submit their Fellowship application and get the chance to receive a reporting grant of up to PHP 100,000. Visit https://lnkd.in/g_4xzE6U for more information and apply now!

#GCFWatch: Read updates from the 40th Board Meeting of the Green Climate Fund (B.40), held October 21-24, 2024 in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea. Daily updates from Days 1 to 3 of the Board Meeting are now live. These reports have been prepared by the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD). Visit https://lnkd.in/gWYCtw_u  or scan the QR code below to read more. For more information on the GCF observer network and its involvement in #GCFB40, visit gcfwatch.org.

#UpdateFromTheFrontlines: Members and partners of the Independent Global Stocktake (iGST) Southeast Asia Hub gathered in Manila, Philippines for the regional workshop “Translating the Outcomes of the Global Stocktake into Regional and National Contexts,” held October 16-17, 2024. Building on the Hub’s activities from last year, the workshop highlighted the urgent need for just #ClimateAction that is inclusive, collaborative, and aligned with the first Global Stocktake (#GST) findings. With participants from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Japan, and South Korea, it aimed to encourage evidence-based #Adaptation and #Mitigation strategies in multilateral dialogues as countries update their national climate goals to address regional climate challenges. Discussion points included the importance of accountability and transparency, mobilizing #ClimateFinance, translating research into policy, and strengthening collaboration among #NonStateActors.  The #iGST SEA Hub is led by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), with support from the ClimateWorks Foundation.

The Jaime Espina Klima Correspondents Fellowship is accepting applications! Calling all journalists and visual storytellers—don’t miss the opportunity to receive up to P100,000 in grant funding, hands-on training, and expert consultations for your local climate and energy stories in the Philippines. Questions? Read through the cards below, or visit icsc.ngo/klimafellowship to learn more and apply! #KlimaFellowship