For An Alternative Tomorrow
 

Our Work

 
 

Policy Research

Our 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:

  1. Just transitions and green jobs

  2. d/Deaf and disability inclusive governance

  3. Solid waste management

  4. Biodiversity loss and conservation

  5. Climate finance, among others

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Capacity Building

We provide technical advisory support for government and civil society partners, conduct workshops and learning sessions on climate change and climate negotiations, and support policy assessment and development in relation to climate change and biodiversity conservation-related work.

Recent engagements include:

  1. UNFCCC-related capacity building, position-building workshops, and mock climate negotiations sessions;

  2. Participation in the Sub-Committee on Biodiversity, led by the DENR-BMB, and other relevant events;

  3. Regular participation in congressional meetings on climate and environment-related bills;

    Among other bilateral engagements with specific government agencies.

Technical Assistance

We have 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:

  1. Climate Finance 

  2. Global Stocktake

  3. Adaptation 

  4. Article 6

  5. Agriculture

  6. Just Transition

  7. Loss and Damage

  8. Gender and Climate Change

 

Community Engagements

We believe 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. 

Read Intern Blogs

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:

  1. Malaya: A Youth and Climate Podcast focusing on climate and environment issues

  2. Tayo Tayo, a Teleradyo show tackling local climate solutions

  3. The Pb Journal, a compilation of youth voices on issues important to young environmentalists

  4. Infographics on social media highlighting emerging topics and important developments

Learn more
 

Recent Projects

 

Indigenous peoples and Local Communities’ Access to the GCF Policy analysis & Drafting

We worked with Rationale Advisors to support the International Land and Tenure Facility in their application for accreditation with the Green Climate Fund, including strategy development, policy gap analysis and drafting, coordination with country partners and Nationally Designated Authorities, and general backstopping. The project aimed to enhance direct access to GCF funding by indigenous peoples and local communities.

 
 

Climate Justice & Liability Project LEgal and policy Drafting

Building on the Climate Justice and Liability Campaign of Greenpeace Southeast Asia-Philippines – centered around the responsibility of "carbon majors" for climate-related human rights impacts – we drafted legislative instruments for potential adoption at various levels of government in the Philippines. The issuances seek to establish accountability and liability of big polluters and provide legal bases for vulnerable sectors to obtain redress for harms suffered from climate change impacts.

 
 

Multilateral Processes on Forests, Biodiversity & Climate Change Capacity-Building

In partnership with Forest Foundation Philippines, we designed and implemented capacity-building activities for Philippine government agencies to strengthen their engagement in the UNFCCC and CBD negotiations, and to mainstream international concerns and obligations into national frameworks. This included the conduct of consultations, trainings, and briefings; developing resource books and training materials; and technical and legal backstopping for the Philippine delegation to both conventions.

 
 

Climate & Forest Policy Ambition in Key Countries Report

Commissioned by Rainforest Foundation Norway, we provided research, writing, and analytical support in the preparation of a report on the mitigation ambition of critical rainforest countries, looking at their Nationally Determined Contributions and domestic policies and programs related to forests, climate change, indigenous peoples' rights, and ecosystems. Access the report here.

 
 

Submission to the UNFCCC on AgriculturE Stakeholder Consultation & DraftinG

We assisted the Philippine Department of Agriculture prepare a country submission to the UNFCCC on possible elements of the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture. This included orientation for key stakeholders on the state of play of the Agriculture negotiations; facilitating consultations; and development, drafting, and validation of the submission.