MANILA, 28 September 2022 — For Episode 5 for the “Stories for a Better Reality (SFABR),” the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Climate Reality Project Philippines - Youth Cluster will feature youth-led initiatives on circular economy. In celebration of the National Clean-Up Month, the episode will tackle innovations by youth organizations, promoting new and creative ways to achieve a circular economy and reduce plastic waste. Youth organizations will present alternative solutions to reduce and resolve plastic pollution through technological and communication strategies: Ms. Mary Jane Lamoste of Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Asia and Ms. Tiara Samson of Break Free From Plastic Movement. In the #ExpertsExplain segment, Mr. Carlo Delantar, founding partner of Core Capital, will discuss circular economy and available funding support for related innovation. From the government, Ms. Juvinia P. Serafin, Senior Environmental Management Specialist and OIC-Chief at the Solid Waste Management Division, Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), will serve as a reactor. The circular economy is a model of production and consumption which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling of existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. Citizen-led efforts such as clean-up drives have been instrumental in leading local efforts to reduce waste. In particular, young people have played an important role in promoting the circular economy as a model to reduce waste. The upcoming episode will underscore that while there is no single solution to plastic pollution, rapid and concerted action can contribute towards the solvability of this global problem. Episode 5 of SFABR will be streamed this Friday, 30 September 2022, 10:00 AM through the Facebook pages of the CCC (https://www.facebook.com/CCCPhl) and the Climate Reality Project Philippines. “Stories for A Better Reality” is a monthly webcast series that tackles climate issues, promotes initiatives and solutions, and informs policy and action by framing the discussion from the perspective of youth. SFABR is organized in partnership between the CCC and the Climate Reality Project Philippines, with support from the Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Youth Commission, and Kids for Kids and Wavefarers.
Photo courtesy of : President Bongbong Marcos' Facebook Page 21 September 2022, Manila – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) lauded President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.'s rallying call for climate justice and unlocking climate finance for vulnerable and at-risk nations, saying the President’s speech at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) sets the groundwork for principled global climate action. In the UNGA77 High-Level General Debate, President Marcos underscored the need to address climate injustice with “those who need to do more must act now.” President Marcos called on industrialized countries to ‘cut greenhouse gas emissions’ and provide ‘climate finance’ and ‘technology transfer’ for the most vulnerable and developing nations, including the Philippines. CCC Vice Chair and Executive Director (VCED) Robert E.A. Borje highlighted the importance of President Marcos’ clear articulation of the Philippine positions in UNGA77: attain climate justice, unlock climate finance, while being a responsible member of the international community. “The Philippines has a strong and resonant voice for climate justice to make sure that the global community urgently responds to the needs of the times,” said VCED Borje. With limited resources to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies, VCED Borje pointed out President Marcos’ call to “unlock climate finance” for at-risk and vulnerable nations was crucial. VCED Borje added that the Philippines is working with other nations to ensure allocation for adaptation is doubled, and that climate change-related losses and damages are funded by developed nations based on commitments under the Paris Agreement. These principled positions by the Philippines have also been articulated by the CCC in relevant fora in the lead up to the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27), including at the UN’s Third Technical Expert Dialogue on Climate Finance in Manila, and the Informal Consultation on Loss and Damage in Cairo, Egypt. For the COP27, the Philippines will continue to push for the delivery of climate finance that is needs-based, anchored on the principles of climate justice and equity, and guided by President Marcos’ statement in UNGA77. The COP27 will take place on 06-18 November 2022, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Manila, 9 September 2022 – The Philippines called for climate equity and justice through the delivery of climate finance at the opening of the Third Technical Expert Dialogue (TED3) on Climate Finance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 6 September 2022. Robert E.A. Borje, Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chair and Executive Director (VCED), said that the dialogue is an “opportunity to advance inclusive climate finance” driven by a process that ensures “balanced geographical participation, particularly of developing states in the Asia-Pacific region.” As vulnerable countries like the Philippines bear the brunt of climate change, VCED Borje emphasized the need for methodological approaches that will produce pragmatic solutions to address the impact of climate change. VCED Borje also said that the Philippines will continue to do its part, consistent with the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. VCED pointed out that under President Marcos’ administration, there is a proposal to increase national budget allocation for climate change-related programs, projects and activities. The Philippines will also pursue stronger collaboration with partners and stakeholders “to implement more climate actions with results,” added VCED Borje VCED Borje emphasized the need for and the importance of all nations working together to fight the impacts of climate change. “But we, the at-risk developing nations, cannot do it alone. And even if any of us can, we should not do it alone. We should work together for our One World, for One Humanity.” The 3rd TED, as a gathering of global climate finance experts, was described as an important venue to call on the NCQGCF to look beyond what specific countries can afford. According to the Germanwatch Index, the Philippines ranked 4th most vulnerable country to climate change. The country faces an average of 20 typhoons a year, with losses and damages in the past decade amounting to a 0.5% loss in the Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP).VCED Borje pointed out that the NCQGFC should focus on providing financial assistance to more vulnerable and less endowed countries, in fulfillment of the Paris Agreement. TED3 likewise provides the opportunity “to be influenced by the best available science, to rectify past mistakes on not considering uncertainties, costing for externalities, and affording ample space to innovate – so that rehabilitation is not the norm.” VCED Borje closed his speech by challenging participating climate finance experts to focus on a paradigm shift for climate finance and investment: “This is what we mean by Build Right at First Sight: to build justly and efficiently at first sight, with a long-term horizon in mind. Our discussions will go beyond dollars and cents. It will be recommendations for actions that will affect the lives and livelihood of nations. Today is an opportunity to get things right. To secure climate equity and justice for all.” The Ad Hoc Work Programme on New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQGCF) created under the Paris Agreement is tasked to conduct four (4) TEDs annually until 2024. The first and second TEDs were hosted by South Africa and Germany, respectively. As the UNFCCC National Focal Point for the Philippines, the CCC is co-hosting the TED3, in partnership with the UNFCCC Secretariat and the Asian Development Bank. In the lead up to the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UNFCCC in Egypt this November, the four-day TED3 is expected to identify the needs and priorities of developing countries, including their scope, and quantitative and qualitative aspects for equitable and resilient climate action. TED3 is also seen to advance discussion on the roles of public and private sectors toward efficient delivery and mobilization of climate finance, for low carbon and climate-resilient development. For more information about the TED3 and the Philippine Government’s preparation for COP27, visit www.climate.gov.ph.
MANILA, 2 September 2022 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) renewed its commitments toward gender-mainstreamed climate actions, and inclusive and safe workplace for CCC employees. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje recently signed two (2) administrative issuances to further scale-up in-office gender and development (GAD) efforts. These include the reconstitution of the GAD Focal Point System (GFPS), and the creation of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CoDI). “The reconstitution of GFPS will catalyze and accelerate gender mainstreaming within the Climate Change Commission, with women heavily engaged in the delivery of mandates,” VCED Borje said. “Accordingly, the creation of CoDI will help assure all CCC employees, regardless of rank and status, that they are safe from any forms of sexual harassment in the workplace,” VCED Borje added. At present, the CCC has more than 65% female employees, with half of the Management Committee comprised of women. The reconstituted GFPS will be chaired by Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera, the lone female Commissioner of the CCC. “With the new CCC GAD Focal Point System, we will work further to mainstream gender-responsive policies in our climate programs, activities, and projects, and ensure a strong gender support system within our institution,” said Commissioner Herrera. The ceremonial signing of the administrative issuances was attended by VCED Borje, Commissioner Herrera, and Commissioner Albert P. Dela Cruz, Sr., together with Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Deputy Executive Director Maria Kristine Josefina G. Balmes. “Women’s power is not just for nation-building, but also for the family as the basic unit of the society. Women are the teachers and leaders of our children, which have significant impacts on families’ ability to reduce carbon footprint,” Commissioner Dela Cruz said. The PCW welcomed and supported these developments which will contribute to the holistic GAD mainstreaming performance of the CCC. “Rest assured that PCW is willing to provide the utmost support to your agencies’ needs to recognize and surface gender issues in order to formulate the necessary interventions in our institutions to further influence our communities," said PCW Deputy Executive Director Balmes. The CCC is committed to strengthen the aspect of gender empowerment in climate action as enshrined and demonstrated in the international and national policies, systems, and processes. "We hope that we are engaging our women to be equal partners in nation-building, the vision that we have set for the country and the battle that we hope to win for a climate-resilient country and healthy communities,” said Commissioner Herrera. Know more about the gender mainstreaming initiatives of the Climate Change Commission by following its social media handles, @CCCPhl, and by visiting its official website at www.climate.gov.ph.
