The Fund for Resilient Local Development (FRLD) has officially opened a $250-million funding call at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, aiming to support vulnerable nations in building climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

The initiative was unveiled during a high-level session attended by global leaders, scientists, and climate advocates. The fund is expected to prioritize community-based adaptation projects, ecosystem restoration, and innovative technologies to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.

According to a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) welcomed the announcement, calling it “a timely opportunity for the Philippines to strengthen its climate defense strategy.”

“We encourage LGUs and civil society groups to prepare proposals aligned with the FRLD’s goals,” a DENR official told PNA. “This fund could help us scale up reforestation, early warning systems, and sustainable cooling solutions.”

The Philippines, one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, faces an average of 20 typhoons annually. Climate experts warn that warming oceans are intensifying these storms, making super typhoons more frequent and destructive.

The FRLD fund aligns with the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) recent call for sustainable cooling solutions, noting that global demand for air conditioning could triple by 2050, potentially doubling greenhouse gas emissions if left unchecked.

Local climate advocates have also urged the government to redirect military spending toward climate defense, citing the need for technologies that could weaken or dissolve super typhoons before landfall.

“We must invest in science that protects life, not destroys it,” said Allaine, a youth climate campaigner from Quezon City. “This fund is a chance to turn global commitments into local action.”

Applications for FRLD funding are expected to open to eligible countries and organizations by early 2026, with priority given to projects in the Typhoon Belt and other high-risk regions.