HER Planet Earth Announces 2025 Expedition to Empower Indigenous Women Affected by Climate Change in the Philippines
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Singapore - September 2024 — HER Planet Earth is proud to announce the 2025 Philippines Expedition, bringing together 12 women from diverse corners of the globe. This expedition, scheduled from April 2025, will support Conservation International Philippines in its mission to protect the country’s unique ecosystems and empower indigenous people and local communities.
The all-female HER Planet Earth team is set to embark on its 13th expedition, which will take them on a challenging and transformative journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Northern Luzon, immersing them in the rich cultural heritage of the Cordillera region. Participants will trek through UNESCO World Heritage sites, explore ancient rice terraces, and engage with indigenous communities. Their goal is to raise $50,000 USD to support Conservation International Philippines in delivering projects in agriculture that strengthen local women’s livelihoods.
Empowering Women Through Adventure
HER Planet Earth’s expeditions are designed to empower women by pushing them beyond their comfort zones and fostering a deeper connection between gender equality and environmental sustainability. The 2025 Philippines Expedition is no exception, offering participants the opportunity to experience the rugged beauty of the Philippines while contributing to a greater cause.
Why the Cordillera Region of the Philippines for this next Expedition?
The Cordillera region of the Philippines was chosen for this expedition due to its unparalleled cultural and environmental significance. As home to ancient natural and agricultural marvels that reflect the deep connection between indigenous people and their environment, the country embodies the intricate balance between human activity and nature. The rugged landscapes, rich biodiversity, and vibrant traditions of indigenous communities of the Cordillera region offer a unique setting for participants to engage with critical conservation and climate resilience issues. Additionally, this region of the Philippines is known for its diverse yet challenging terrains that align perfectly with the expedition's goal of empowering women through adventure while highlighting the urgent need to preserve these invaluable cultural and natural heritage sites for future generations.
Partnership with Wavemaker Impact
HER Planet Earth is proud to announce a new partnership with Wavemaker Impact, a leading sustainability-focused venture builder. Together, we will support rice farming communities by conducting workshops on water conservation techniques during the expedition, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
This initiative will spotlight Rize, an agritech startup within the Wavemaker Impact ecosystem, dedicated to decarbonising rice cultivation in Asia—one of the largest sources of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Formed in 2023 through a joint venture with Temasek, Wavemaker Impact, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and GenZero, Rize helps farmers implement climate-smart techniques such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeding Rice (DSR), which reduce water usage, lower methane emissions, and improve crop yields.
HER Planet Earth’s involvement will showcase Rize’s innovative solutions and highlight the intersection of gender, technology, and sustainability in agriculture—underscoring the impact of local action for global change.
The Team’s Journey
The expedition itinerary includes visits to the Ifugao Rice Terraces, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage site, and a hike to the summit of Mt. Pulag, the third-highest mountain in the Philippines, via the Akiki Trail, popularly known as the "killer trail" due to its difficult terrain. Participants will also have the unique opportunity to meet Apo Whang-Od, the last traditional Kalinga tattoo artist, recently featured in Vogue, and learn about the region's rich textile heritage.
Before arriving in Baguio, the team will visit the Chumang women's organisation in Mayoyao to engage with local women leaders and learn about their agricultural practices and community initiatives. The journey will culminate in a cultural tour of Baguio City, allowing participants to explore local museums, weaving villages, and more. This immersive experience will offer a deep dive into the traditions and livelihoods of the Cordillera people, highlighting the importance of preserving these cultural landscapes.
The Cause
The HER Planet Earth team is raising funds to support Conservation International Philippines and its partner communities, particularly the indigenous women of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan. This initiative is in collaboration with the Samahang Pangkabuhayan ng mga Kababaihan sa Marufinas, an organisation of Tagbanua women dedicated to forest restoration.
Founded in 2014, the group consists of 34 Indigenous Tagbanua women and was originally established to improve their socio-economic well-being through handicrafts and food production. Unfortunately, these activities were disrupted by the pandemic. Now, through this partnership, they are shifting focus to forest restoration efforts, which include seedling production, tree planting, and environmental monitoring. This initiative not only supports conservation but also helps restore the livelihoods of the local community.
The funds raised by the HER Planet Earth team will provide vital support for this project, advancing both environmental sustainability and the empowerment of women in this ecologically important region. To make a donation please visit the team’s fundraising page here.
Filming
The 2025 Philippines Expedition will also be captured by the lens of Singaporean filmmaker Victoria Sim, known for her affinity to connect with people from all walks of life. The past seven years have brought her around the world capturing stories of individuals, communities and organisations with impact-driven missions. Sharing a passion for the cause of HER Planet Earth and using her camera as a medium, Victoria aims to bring global audiences along for the ride through the highs and lows of the expedition.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About HER Planet Earth
Founded in 2017, HER Planet Earth is a non-profit organisation headquartered in Singapore that aims to empower women to mitigate climate change. One of its core objectives is to inspire more women to become policymakers and agents of change to achieve social and economic equity and a healthy, thriving planet. HER Planet Earth organises challenging, often pioneering, self-funded expeditions around the world to raise awareness about environmental degradation and fund programs that empower and educate underprivileged women affected by climate change—ultimately helping them build climate resilience. The organisation partners with nature lovers, environmentalists, scientists, polar explorers, adventurers, women’s rights advocates, corporates, tech entrepreneurs, feminists, and charities that have programs dedicated to building a deeper connection between gender equality, genuinely sustainable development, and environmental protection.
About Conservation International
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, it spotlights and secures the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
Conservation International Philippines has worked with the government and local communities to value and protect healthy ecosystems since 1995. Its focus is to protect nature and provide innovative solutions to key environmental issues in the Philippines, such as the loss of mangroves, deforestation, climate change, unsustainable fishing, and the illegal wildlife trade. It works on land and sea — from the magnificent mountain range of Mount Mantalingahan in Palawan to the productive Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape — to safeguard the well-being of all Filipinos for generations to come.
Team Profiles
The team of this HER Planet Earth Philippines 2025 Adventure is formed by 12 women of diverse nationalities and backgrounds. While they are all incredibly well accomplished in their careers, they are equally passionate about protecting the environment and empowering underprivileged women. Discover their bios here.
Support the Mission
To contribute to this essential mission, please visit the team’s fundraising page here.
For media inquiries, please contact: connect@herplanetearth.com
