Guidance

Growth Gateway: Philippines National Adaptation Plan 2023 to 2050 (summary)

Published 13 October 2025

As a nation that has long grappled with the devastating impacts of climate change, prioritising climate adaptation stands as an urgent and immediate necessity. The Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan (NAP) represents a foundational framework for fostering a climate-resilient and prosperous future for the nation. It serves as a resounding call to action, urging all stakeholders to unite and chart a transformative course in the face of climate challenges.

Prioritising adaptation and implementing the strategies outlined in the NAP enables the Philippines not only to manage mounting risks but also to harness limited yet tangible opportunities for sustainable economic growth and social development.

The NAP outlines a long-term, whole-of-society strategy to address the country’s extreme vulnerability to climate change. With the Philippines ranked first on the World Risk Index in 2022, the NAP identifies 8 priority sectors:

• agriculture and fisheries
• water resources
• health
• ecosystems and biodiversity
• cultural heritage and migration
• land use and settlements
• livelihoods and industries
• energy, transport and communications

It projects that by 2050, over 74 million Filipinos could be exposed to dangerous heat levels, 420,000 displaced by sea level rise, and up to 6 million affected by intensified tropical cyclones. The plan integrates climate science, stakeholder engagement, and localised adaptation to reduce vulnerability and promote sustainable development.

The NAP estimates that without adaptation, climate-related losses could reach £25 billion annually by 2050, equivalent to 18% to 25% of GDP. The main economic risks include infrastructure damage, productivity losses due to extreme heat, and costs of displacement.

The plan identifies 6 enablers for success in the Philippines:

• governance and institutions
• stakeholder engagement
• skills and capacity building
• data and knowledge infrastructure
• technology and innovation
• adaptation financing

Considering the urgency of adaptation in the Philippines, as well as the identified adaptation priorities and necessary enablers, the implementation roadmap outlines the following initiatives needed:

1. Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and institutional arrangements for the NAP to mainstream A&R in the national agenda.
2. Enhance stakeholder engagement and communication strategies to amplify NAP awareness and understanding, and to support gender mainstreaming in adaptation.
3. Downscale climate analytics and enhance adaptation data management and application to support more informed decision making.
4. Translate adaptation strategies into a sectoral-level program/project portfolio, prioritising based on social, economic, and ecosystem benefits for informed decision-making.
5. Develop a national adaptation investment strategy to mobilise resources needed for adaptation programs.
6. Translate adaptation strategies into a provincial-level program/project portfolio, prioritising based on social, economic, and ecosystem benefits for informed decision-making.
7. Enhance capability building, research, and innovation on the topic of climate change adaptation.
8. Develop an effective MEAL system for climate change adaptation.

The NAP aligns with international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and is designed to evolve with new data and lessons learned. It calls for a coordinated national effort, supported by international partners, to ensure that adaptation is mainstreamed into development planning and that no one is left behind. The NAP is not only a national strategy but a global call to action for climate justice and resilience.