Study Insights
- Filipinos are among the most climate-conscious populations in Asia, with flooding, extreme heat, and unpredictable weather emerging as their top climate concerns.
- Despite strong public support for climate action, institutional and financing gaps—including complex funding systems, limited local capacity, and weak coordination—continue to slow climate response efforts.
- The study highlights the need for stronger climate financing systems, better support for local governments, and transparent, accountable mechanisms to turn public concern into concrete climate action.
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Despite strong public concern about climate change, financing and institutional gaps continue to hinder the Philippines’ ability to translate climate awareness into action, according to a study by the 17cÆð²ÝÊÓƵ (17cÆð²ÝÊÓƵ).
The study, “Climate Change Perceptions and Climate Finance Mechanisms in the Philippines: A 2025 Assessment,” examined how public perceptions of climate change align with the country's climate finance mechanisms and institutional capacity.
It combined findings from the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) 2024 Climate Change Perception Survey with key informant interviews, policy reviews, and assessments of climate finance systems.
Drawing on the ADB survey, the study noted that nine in 10 Filipinos consider climate change a serious problem, while 86 percent believe it is already affecting their families or will do so within the next decade. The findings place Filipinos among the most climate-conscious populations surveyed in Asia.
Public concerns reflect the country’s growing exposure to climate-related hazards. Flooding emerged as the top climate concern among 71.1% of respondents, followed by heat waves (54.37%) and unpredictable weather patterns (45.62%).
The study comes as climate risks continue to intensify across the country. According to the data cited in the report, the Philippines has experienced hotter-than-normal temperatures since the 1980s, with annual mean temperature increasing by 0.75°C between 1951 and 2021.
The Philippines continues to experience rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, highlighting the growing urgency of strengthening climate resilience, financing, and adaptation measures across the country.
These trends carry significant economic consequences. World Bank projections estimate that climate change could reduce the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 6 percent to 8 percent by 2040, with losses potentially reaching as high as 13.6 percent. Similarly, the ADB projects economic losses equivalent to 5.3 percent of GDP by 2040 due to sea-level rise, flooding, and lower labor productivity.
The survey also found strong public support for practical climate solutions. Nearly six in ten Filipinos support investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and public transportation systems. Support was lower for measures such as carbon taxes and stricter emissions regulations, suggesting greater public preference for visible investments that strengthen resilience.
Filipinos likewise expressed a preference for transparent and accountable financing mechanisms. Around 45.55% supported reducing corruption and tax evasion as a way to fund climate action, while 44.7% favored greater support from international climate funds.
While public support for climate action is strong, the study found that significant implementation challenges remain.
Interviews conducted for the study revealed that many local government units (LGUs) continue to face difficulties accessing and utilizing climate finance. Limited technical expertise, inadequate capacity for project preparation, and complex funding requirements often prevent local governments from accessing financing mechanisms such as the People's Survival Fund and international climate finance facilities.
The study noted that “even with the increased internal revenue allocation under the Mandanas-Garcia ruling, local funds remain insufficient,” underscoring the need for stronger national support and capacity-building initiatives for local governments.
Researchers noted that local governments are expected to play a central role in climate adaptation and disaster resilience, yet many continue to face difficulties in translating climate plans into fundable, implementable projects.
The study also identified broader institutional constraints that limit the mobilization of climate finance. These include fragmented financing mechanisms, complex funding processes, and coordination challenges among agencies involved in climate governance.
The study also noted that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas faces legal and institutional constraints that limit its ability to directly undertake developmental financing activities commonly used by some central banks in the region to support climate-related investments.
Another challenge identified by the study is the limited availability of climate and environmental data. Insufficient infrastructure for tracking greenhouse gas emissions and other climate indicators constrains evidence-based policymaking and makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of climate programs and investments.
“The Philippines is uniquely positioned among Asian economies because Filipinos show exceptionally high levels of climate awareness and concern,” the study noted. “However, institutional barriers continue to limit the country’s ability to mobilize and deploy climate finance effectively.”
According to the researchers, addressing climate change requires more than increasing financial resources. Strengthening institutions, improving policy coordination, enhancing local government capacity, and expanding access to climate finance are equally important to ensure that available resources translate into effective climate action.
“Achieving these ambitions will require enhanced multilateral partnerships, domestic regulatory reforms, and inclusive stakeholder engagement to transform commitments into tangible low-carbon outcomes,” the authors added.
Ultimately, the study argues that climate change is no longer solely an environmental issue but a governance, financing, and development challenge. While public support for climate action is already strong, the country's ability to respond effectively will depend on whether institutions and financing systems can keep pace with growing climate risks.
Read full study at ###—MAEC/RTG
