For the Philippines, the fight against climate change increasingly depends on more than ambitious targets. It also requires reliable data that can show what is working, where gaps remain and which communities need help most.

This was the focus of a two-day workshop that brought together Philippine and German government representatives and other stakeholders to strengthen the country’s climate reporting systems and turn better data into more effective action.

The initiative seeks to improve systems for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning for climate adaptation and Measurement, Reporting and Verification for mitigation. It aims to improve progress tracking, harmonize methodologies and strengthen institutional capacity.

The workshop is part of the Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development project, a partnership between the Philippine and German governments supporting higher climate ambition and alignment with national and international climate and biodiversity goals.

Climate Change Commission (CCC) vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje said strong reporting systems are essential to ensuring that climate policies translate into meaningful results.

“A strong national reporting system allows us to clearly track progress, align our strategies, and ensure that climate action delivers real results for our communities,” Borje said.

CCC deputy executive director Atty. Romell Antonio O. Cuenca said fragmented reporting systems remain a challenge, as scattered data can limit the effectiveness of climate initiatives.

“When our systems are coherent and robust, our reporting becomes more credible, efficient, and meaningful,” Cuenca said, adding that stronger systems also improve governance and accountability.

Maraida Licerio, senior technical adviser of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), said stronger climate action does not necessarily mean creating entirely new systems. Instead, existing mandates can be strengthened through more transparent and accountable implementation.

Organized under the GIZ TRANSCEND project through WSP and Clean Air Asia, the workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, the private sector and other stakeholders.

For a climate-vulnerable country like the Philippines, better reporting ultimately means better decisions — and stronger protection for communities facing the impacts of a changing climate.