Our Work
Policy Research
Parabukas’ portfolio of policy research encompasses a wide range of outputs, including syntheses reports on developments under multilateral environmental agreements, comprehensive reviews and analyses of national climate and environment laws, and even the development of policy recommendations, and more.
Key focus areas in the last five (5) years include:
Just transitions and green jobs
d/Deaf and disability inclusive governance
Solid waste management
Biodiversity loss and conservation
Climate finance, among others
Capacity Building
Parabukas provides technical advisory support for government and civil society partners, conducts workshops and learning sessions on climate change and climate negotiations, and supports policy assessment and development in relation to climate change and biodiversity conservation-related work.
Recent engagements include:
UNFCCC-related capacity building, position-building workshops, and mock climate negotiations sessions;
Participation in the Sub-Committee on Biodiversity, led by the DENR-BMB, and other relevant events;
Regular participation in congressional meetings on climate and environment-related bills;
Among other bilateral engagements with specific government agencies.
Technical Assistance
The team has participated in 8 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP) and 1 UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) COP, with frequent participation at the mid-year Subsidiary Body Meetings, to follow both technical and political negotiations, organize side events, and provide support to the Philippine government and other ASEAN delegations.
Workstreams we typically monitor include the following:
Climate Finance
Global Stocktake
Adaptation
Article 6
Agriculture
Just Transition
Loss and Damage
Gender and Climate Change
Community Engagements
Parabukas believes in a rights-based approach to addressing the climate crisis. We engage in projects that seek to strengthen capacities and empower Filipino communities to make informed decisions and meaningfully engage in sustainable development initiatives. We have engaged with various sectors, including specifically the youth, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities.
Recent projects include the “Signs for Inclusive Governance and Development” or SIGND Project, in partnership with the Oscar M. Lopez Center, which aimed to create an enabling policy environment for more Deaf-inclusive and responsive climate policies, and support work with Tebtebba for the development of a Green Climate Fund Concept Note on indigenous water management strategies in Northern Luzon.
Summer Internships
Our Annual Summer Internship Program has mentored 27 aspiring lawyers and environmentalists since 2000. Both undergraduate and law students undergo a series of learning sessions on climate change, biodiversity conservation, and human rights. Alongside supporting the work of Parabukas, interns also author blog posts and organize events, typically webinars, on key issues that are important to today’s youth. These engagements allow the team to contribute in empowering the next generation of climate and environmental advocates while also remaining close to the pulse of the youth.
The program has also produced valuable information on topics important to the youth through their unique contributions.
Communications
We do our best to maximize social and traditional media platforms to demystify legal and policy issues and developments from global climate discourse for a wide range of audiences. Some key approaches include:
Malaya: A Youth and Climate Podcast focusing on climate and environment issues
Tayo Tayo, a Teleradyo show tackling local climate solutions
The Pb Journal, a compilation of youth voices on issues important to young environmentalists
Infographics on social media highlighting emerging topics and important developments