The Forest Carbon Policy Forum, a milestone event dedicated to promoting sustainable climate solutions through forest carbon projects, took place on August 25, 2023, in Manila City. Under the theme "Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Nature-Based Climate Solutions through Forest Carbon Projects in the Philippines," the forum convened a wide array of participants with the objective of addressing policy hurdles that impede the advancement of forest carbon initiatives, while also delivering recommendations to the national government.

The forum was organized by the UPLB Forestry Development Center, UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños and co-organized by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Forest Management Bureau, the United States Agency for International Development, Kennemer, and Klima 1.5 Corp.

With a diverse gathering of over 100 participants including representatives from academia, non-governmental organizations, government bodies, and the private sector, the forum  centered around policies and initiatives capable of scaling-up forest carbon projects forward. The forum highlighted the essential roles that communities and the private sector  play in developing quality forest carbon projects.

Among the highlights of the event were the various presentations on nature-based solutions. It included Kennemer Foods International’s collaboration with the USAID through the Transforming Rural Agricultural Norms for a Sustainable Mindanao (TRANSFORM) Project which has emerged as pivotal in developing Kennemer’s capacity in scaling up nature-based solutions projects.

The DENR secretary, Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, emphasized the whole-of-society approach in solving the climate crisis and using all available tools in both climate adaptation and mitigation and challenged the private sector and investors to leverage resources in developing forest carbon projects.

Thomas Kalunzy, Deputy Director of the Office of the Environment (USAID Philippines), expressed the forum to be a substantial step forward. Kalunzy emphasized the forum’s value in sharing experiences, proposing solutions, and collectively charting a roadmap for the country's forest carbon development. He anticipated that the insights shared during the forum would contribute to widening stakeholders' perspectives and potentially influence responsive policies and initiatives, particularly as the Philippines transitions toward a net-zero economy.

The  support coming from various sectors for forest carbon initiatives underscores its alignment with global efforts to combat climate change and nurture environmental sustainability. The forum culminated by recommending an immediate action to continue discussions for the finalization of a forestry investment roadmap including research on forest carbon development.