Filipino climate and energy professionals have returned from a month-long training in New Zealand. They came back equipped with new knowledge and practical tools to support the Philippines’ transition to a cleaner and more resilient energy future.

The delegation, led by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), took part in the Renewable Energy Project Management (REPM) Short Course held from May 26 to June 24, as reported in an article by the Philippine News Agency. The training was conducted under the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme and was fully funded by the New Zealand Government through its International Development Programme.

Organized in partnership with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Education New Zealand (Manapou ki te Ao), the course was designed to strengthen the capacity of professionals across Southeast Asia in managing renewable energy projects. Participants came from various countries in the ASEAN region, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

The Philippine delegation included representatives from the CCC, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the Bangsamoro Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE-BARMM), and ACEN, which is a leading renewable energy company in the country.

The program combined technical lessons on solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass energy with hands-on training in project management. According to the CCC, the course aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of the challenges and opportunities in renewable energy development across Southeast Asia, while also equipping them with project management frameworks and practical skills applicable to real-world contexts.

The CCC stressed that upskilling both government and private sector professionals is crucial to achieving the country’s climate targets under its Nationally Determined Contribution and National Climate Change Action Plan. These targets include increasing renewable energy capacity and building more sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure.

The Commission also expressed its gratitude to the New Zealand government for its continued support, which it said helps strengthen regional cooperation on sustainable energy and climate action.

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Photo Credit: Philippine News Agency Website