Strengthening Natural Hazard Disaster Risk Management through Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Insurance Protection

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries facing extreme weather events due to climate change. Increasing damage from typhoons, heavy rains, and slow-onset sea level rise increase poverty, trigger migration, and weaken the country’s competitiveness. Governmental disaster risk management is still focused on ‘grey’ infrastructure as state funds provide insurance for public structures, while household risk financing is market driven. The project aims to capacitate national and regional actors to use ecosystem-based adaptation and climate insurance to build resilience. It strengthens efforts of the Philippine government to mainstream climate and disaster risks in planning processes, building on the existing integrated ecosystem management (IEM) approach. The project partners are supported through process monitoring, ecosystem-based adaptation measures, and climate and disaster risk insurance market development.

Project data

Countries: Philippines
IKI funding: 5,500,000.00 €
Duration: 10/2021 till 03/2027
Status: open
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner: National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) - Philippines
Implementing Partner: Department of Agriculture (DA) - Philippines

Ministry of Finance - Philippines

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) - Philippines

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State of implementation/results

The project organized kick-off events in the respective provinces of Region VIII at the end of 2023. In addition to the kick-off, the main focus was on conveying a fundamental understanding of why and how ecosystems can contribute to disaster reduction. This involved discussing with the partners how region-specific ecosystem-based approaches can contribute to adaptation to climate change. The discussion ultimately resulted in the formation of project management teams that will manage and support the overall implementation of the project in the provinces.
At the beginning of 2024, the project conducted its first visits to the project areas to gain a more detailed picture of the situation on the ground. The project held initial discussions with local organizations that can support the implementation of ecosystem-based measures and thus make valuable contributions to the piloting.
The project organized the first national conference on the integration of ecosystem-based adaptation into the planning regime on August 16 and 17, 2023 in Tacloban City. The conference was attended by around 80 participants from national and subnational authorities, civil society representatives and the private sector.
The Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 for Eastern Visayas (Region VIII), which incorporates ecosystem-based adaptation and climate risk insurance, was adopted on August 16, 2023 with the support of the project.
A two-day kick-off workshop was held in Tacloban City in December 2022 to introduce project objectives and ecosystem-based adaptation concepts to stakeholders in the Eastern Visayas region.
Ecosystem-based adaptation and climate risk insurance were integrated into the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 through writing workshops organized by the project.
In order to achieve the goal of implementing pilot measures for ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in the region, several workshops were held from March to August 2024 in the three provinces of Southern Leyte, Samar and Northern Samar to develop project proposals. The aim was to train local government representatives in all relevant aspects of the successful implementation of EbA measures, to support them in developing their own EbA project ideas and to accompany them in the preparation of project proposals. The proposals submitted were then reviewed by the project team using a clear evaluation scheme, and the best projects were selected.
The project presented its approach at the Asia Summit on Natural Catastrophe and Climate Change, which took place in Makati City on July 10 and 11, 2024. It was emphasized that dealing with loss and damage caused by climate change is a key concern for Germany. Germany actively supports the Global Shield program, which is dedicated to precisely this topic. The project also took part in a panel discussion at the summit on how organizations can promote sustainable practices in communities. The project presented its collaboration with local government units and the insurance industry to strengthen community resilience through ecosystem-based adaptation and climate risk insurance.
In 10/2024, the project organized a well-attended partner event during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Manila. The theme was "Building Local Government Resilience Leveraging Ecosystems, Climate Information, and Insurance." Numerous representatives from politics, science, and civil society participated, emphasizing the importance of EbA approaches to strengthen local resilience.
In early 11/2024, the start of the EbA pilot measures in our partner regions was celebrated. The event took place in memory of Super Typhoon Yolanda and attracted many media representatives. A cultural program with local poetry artists enriched the event and raised awareness about the importance of ecosystem-based adaptation measures. In 2025, two additional ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) measures were awarded to the municipalities of Hinunangan (Southern Leyte) and Calbiga (Samar). A total of eleven EbA measures are currently being implemented.
The GIZ pre-study, completed in 10/2024, explores the feasibility of insurance to protect Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) from typhoon damage. The aim of this study is to develop innovative solutions that can insure coastal regions against the increasing risks posed by climate change, such as storms and flooding. It evaluates various insurance models, including parametric approaches, and provides recommendations for pilot projects. The study strengthens the financial risk management of MPAs and supports the long-term protection of marine ecosystems.
Between April and June 2025, regional and national stakeholders took part in the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction and a national conference as part of the Philippine Insurance Summit, among others, and deepened their expertise.