MANILA, 25 November 2022 — Science- and local-based action plans are crucial in addressing the worsening impacts of climate change in the country. This was highlighted during the 11th National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) Forum, where NPTE members recommended concrete action points to address the 10 leading climate risks in the Philippines. The 16-member panel laid out strategies and action plans for each of the risks identified to support the national and local governments in formulating and crafting science-based policies. “In order to deal with and find appropriate and sustainable solutions to the issues caused by the economic and non-economic impacts of climate change, the NPTE members will work together with various entities, such as government agencies, civil society organizations, private and public education institutions, and local government units, to undertake science-based climate change adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction and management action plans,” said Dr. Doracie Zoleta-Nantes, NPTE Chairperson. The forum also became an avenue for LGUs to share their experiences in the recent extreme weather events that hit the country. Leyte 3rd District Representative Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon, Vice Chairperson of the House Committee on Climate Change, shared that the extreme weather events, which have been made worse by climate change, have had a tremendous impact on their local community. “Our Provincial Disaster Risk Management Plan states that 1,090 of our 1,641 barangays in the 40 municipalities of the province – or 66.4% -- are flood susceptible, and 29 of the coastal municipalities, five of which are in my district, and all three cities, are vulnerable to storm surge,” Tuazon emphasized. The area's basic social services, primary sources of livelihood—agriculture and fishing—as well as infrastructure development are all severely affected by floods and rain-induced landslides. Flooding is one of the 10 climate-induced risks identified by the NPTE. Among other risks are rising sea levels; coastal erosion; increasing frequency and severity of tropical cyclones; extreme drought; temperature increase and rising urban heat index; extreme rainfall; climate-influenced diseases; changing wind patterns, and biodiversity loss. About P515.51 billion ($10.6 billion) in loss and damage have already been attributed to climate risks in the country from 2010 to 2020. In order to prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change, Tuazon emphasized the importance of technical advice from local scientists and academicians, especially in the areas of marine spatial planning, riverbank stabilization, agroforestry development, upland reforestation, and mangrove protection and management. For climate change adaptation, she noted that data gathering is crucial for developing risk management and science-based programs. “Our discussion of adaptation implies that we know our problem, we have our benchmarks, and can begin crafting policies and the solutions for adaptation because we have the data on which to premise our discussions of loss and damage, and the financial and technological mechanisms to prevent or reduce risk and bounce back immediately,” she added. In addition, the forum also featured renowned science experts, including Dr. Faye Abigail Cruz who presented highlights of the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and Dr. Rosa Perez, who provided an overview of the loss and damage scenario in the Philippines. The forum brought together state universities and colleges, higher education institutions, local government unit representatives, and various national government agencies, face-to-face and online, to highlight the importance of transforming science into local action towards climate resilience. “It is imperative that we are able to further build and strengthen local capacities to conduct climate action in different fields. Buhay, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan ang nakataya,” said Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. The 11th NPTE Forum, held on 23 November 2022 in Novotel Manila, is part of the commemoration of the 15th Annual Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week (CCC Week 2022). With the theme “Sama-samang Tumutugon sa Hamon ng Nagbabagong Klima,” CCC Week 2022 draws together various climate change and environment stakeholders in the Philippines in a collective push toward transforming climate change commitments into action for a climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines. For more information about the 11th NPTE Forum and CCC Week 2022, visit the social media accounts of the CCC using @CCCPhl or visit its website at https://climate.gov.ph.
MANILA, 22 November 2022 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Academy (DILG-LGA) are building up their institutional partnerships to further bolster Local Government Unit (LGU) capacities for climate change mitigation and adaptation. CCC and DILG-LGA are conducting the culminating batch of the training-of-trainers on the formulation of enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan (eLCCAP) on 21 to 25 November 2022 in Ace Hotel and Suites, Pasig City. The Training of Trainers coincides with the observance of the 15th Annual Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week. The activity is part of the series of training-of-trainers spearheaded by the two agencies, with the overall objective of creating a pool of coaches and experts to assist the Local Governance Regional Resources Centers (LGRRCs) nationwide in their conduct of capacity building activities on the development of eLCCAPs. Around 90 participants representing DILG regional offices, city and municipal planning and development offices, and local disaster risk reduction and management offices, as well as representatives from local resource institutes and higher education institutions from Regions 5, 10, 13, 4B, and National Capital Region will attend the said training. Through the DILG and CCC partnership, LGUs demonstrated increased capacities for climate action and reporting. DILG released Memorandum Circular 2021-068, enjoining LGUs to submit their LCCAPs to the CCC, which resulted in additional 715 LCCAPs received by the CCC. This increased submissions by 93% from 2021, overall making total LCCAP submissions at 80% from 1,715 LGUs. The training of trainers supports this year’s CCC Week theme, “Sama-samang Tumutugon sa Hamon ng Nagbabagong Klima,” by mentoring and capacitating local government units and higher education institutions in the country on the formulation and enhancement of science-based and risk-informed action plans. This will help to strengthen the local communities’ adaptive capacity to the impacts of climate change. The five-day activity will cover the process of LCCAP formulation and all its technical components, such as Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment, Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Climate Change Expenditure Tagging, and People’s Survival Fund. The training will be facilitated by resource persons from the CCC, DILG Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DSHUD), and Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA). For more information about the upcoming training-of-trainers on the formulation of eLCCAP and other CCC Week activities, visit the CCC’s social media pages at @cccphl.
Mr. Sabin M. Aboitiz, President and CEO of Aboitiz Group and lead for the Private Sector Advisory Council, stressed the role of private-public partnership toward sustainability in his closing remarks during the Climate Investment Forum 2022, Monday, 21 November 2022 in Novotel Manila, Quezon City. MANILA, 22 November 2022 – Private-Public partnership and aligned sustainability efforts have been identified as key components to resiliency and climate change action success in the Philippines. At the closing ceremonies of the Climate Investment Forum 2022, Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer as well as lead for the Private Sector Advisory Council Mr. Sabin M. Aboitiz emphasized that government and private sector partnership aligned towards sustainability targets are critical for shared success for climate change risk nation like the Philippines. Acknowledging the need for acting together, Mr. Aboitiz emphasized, "As the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.) himself said, the fight against climate change can only be successful if everyone is committed and determined to steer our practices and systems towards a greener direction. Victory will not come by defeating a visible enemy. It will come in certain moments when we can see that we are gradually averting a global crisis." Citing the experience of the Aboitiz Group of companies, Mr. Aboitiz underscored that “Sustainability remains at the core of all our business operations. Our group is firmly committed to the highest environment, social, and government standards and practices." "By setting bolder targets to better serve our communities and customers, we are reaffirming this commitment, which is for a hundred years, has been consistent in building a sustainable future for generations to come," he added. Mr. Aboitiz also cited the value of using best available science and technology as well as fostering innovation in order to contribute to Philippine efforts to accelerate just transition to a low carbon economy. "Emerging technologies have enabled us to discover many new opportunities to help alleviate a climate crisis. These technologies are, of course, supported by the innovative initiatives of our recent great transformation into an eco-friendly technologies." Mr. Aboitiz likewise underlined the importance of clear policy pronouncements made by President Marcos on climate change action, environmental management and protection and sustainability efforts so that the private sector can align itself with the vision for the country’s development. "Much of our work takes inspiration from the pronouncement of our dear President who on several occasions have vowed to push for reforms and programs on environmental protection and conservation." The Climate Investment Forum, as part of the observance of the 15th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week, brought together various stakeholders to identify strategies in achieving the Philippine Nationally Determined Contribution targets, priority actions on climate finance, and opportunities for climate action. With the theme “Sama-samang Tumutugon sa Hamon ng Nagbabagong Klima,” CCC Week 2022 draws together various climate change and environment stakeholders in the Philippines in a collective push towards transforming climate change commitments into action towards a climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines by 2050. Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1667 s. 2008, the CCC spearheads the annual observance of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week every November 19th to 25th, aimed at raising consciousness on addressing the impacts of the changing climate. For more information about the upcoming CCC Week 2022 activities, visit the CCC social media pages at @cccphl.
New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell, Securities and Exchange Commissioner McJill Bryant Fernandez, Climate Change Commissioner Albert P. Dela Cruz, and Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Atty. Roel Refran were among those who signed the Statement of Commitment on climate investment and just transition during the Climate Investment Forum 2022, Monday, 21 November 2022 in Novotel Manila. MANILA, 22 November 2022 – Multistakeholders commit to boost investment for climate and sustainability initiatives and accelerate just transition to achieve a climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines by 2050 Government leaders, business and financial sectors, and civil society organizations signed a Statement of Commitment ensuring availability and accessibility of financing mechanisms for climate and sustainability projects. It also supports the acceleration of the Philippines’ low-carbon development and just transition from coal to renewable energy. Recognizing the imperative for an effective, collective response to the urgent threats of climate change, the commitment also includes the stakeholders’ deployment of innovative interventions with sustainable, positive impacts on supply chains and value chains. New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell, Securities and Exchange Commissioner McJill Bryant Fernandez, Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Atty. Roel Refran, and Climate Change Commissioner Albert P. Dela Cruz led the ceremonial signing during the Climate Investment Forum (CIF) 2022 organized by the Climate Change Commission (CCC) on 21 November in Quezon City. It forms part of the commemoration of the 15th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week (CCC Week 2022). “In the spirit of ‘No One Should Be Left Behind” in the Sustainable Development Goals, this statement of commitment is not just for us, but for our children and the children of our children,” said CCC Commissioner Dela Cruz. “Fighting the impacts of climate change comes at a cost. As a developing country that is at risk, the Philippines needs all the help we can get from both the public and private sectors, and indeed the international community through investments on adaptation and mitigation actions,” said Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. "The private sector—both being contributory and vulnerable to climate impacts—must see the value of these investments in growing their businesses, insulating their people and operations from climate shocks, avoiding emissions that exacerbate global warming and climate change, and how these can ultimately influence our ways of life for the better," said CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera. With the theme “Sama-samang Tumutugon sa Hamon ng Nagbabagong Klima,” CCC Week 2022 draws together various climate change and environment stakeholders in the Philippines in a collective push toward transforming climate change commitments into action towards a climate-smart and climate-resilient Philippines. Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1667 s. 2008, the CCC spearheads the annual observance of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week every November 19th to 25th, aimed at raising consciousness on addressing the impacts of the changing climate. For more information about the ceremonial signing and the CIF, visit the social media accounts of the CCC using @CCCPhl or visit its website at https://climate.gov.ph.
Department of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, United Kingdom Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils, United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand Dr. Ndiame Diop, and other development partners of the Climate Change Commission reaffirmed commitments to mobilize investments for climate action during the Climate Investment Forum 2022, Monday, 21 November 2022, in Novotel Manila, Quezon City. MANILA, 22 November 2022 – Development partners reaffirmed their commitment of mobilizing financial resources for investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation on Monday, 21 November 2022, to confront the challenges posed by the climate crisis. Development partners including the World Bank Group and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined the Climate Investment Forum 2022, spearheaded by the Climate Change Commission (CCC) in commemoration of the 15th Global Warming and Climate Consciousness Week. Government leaders led by the Department of Finance (DOF) presented the national targets on mitigation and adaptation and called for stronger commitments from international channels as well as the private sector to invest on the country’s priorities on climate action. In his keynote address, DOF Secretary Benjamin Diokno recognized the need to “urgently increase the availability of adaptation and resilience finance particularly for sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure.” Diokno also emphasized the important role of the private sector in achieving a just transition towards a low-carbon economy and the commitment of the Philippine government on “strengthening its policies on climate financing (and) mainstreaming sustainable finance in all possible ways through policy and harmonization.” UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran also underscored the important role of the private sector in climate investments. “There's a growing recognition due to the amounts required to meet climate goals, and the private sector has a key role to play in mobilizing climate finance. While it is widely known that the private sector's DNA is closely attached to its financial interests, we need to develop and disseminate a clear narrative. Beyond corporate social responsibility initiatives, it makes good business sense to invest in climate initiatives.” The UNDP has developed the Climate Finance Network in order to support the initiatives on increasing public and private sector investments toward mitigating impacts of climate change and improving resilience of national and local government agencies and communities. For its part, the World Bank has released its Country Climate and Development Report for the Philippines which explains how climate change will affect the country’s economic development and emphasizes the important role of the private sector in climate action. “The World Bank has a very strong commitment to really accompany the efforts of the government, the Climate Change Commission, and all the agencies in this effort. We have actually achieved quite a bit over the last decade or so, and we are very committed to do more to really address this emergency,” said Dr. Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. As a long standing partner of the Philippines, the World Bank has been helping lay the groundwork for significant actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and prepare for and respond to natural disasters. For FY2022, about 46% of their commitments are contributed to climate action. The Government of the United Kingdom also emphasized the need to act and deliver results based on the country's climate action priorities. The Climate Finance Network was supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. “The UK has been listening to the priorities of the new government in the Philippines and we are working to deliver new programs responding to its needs on coastal and marine adaptation, renewable energy and energy efficiency, nature-based solutions, science, and innovation.” said UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils. The Climate Investment Forum is a product of the Climate Finance Network which brought together high-level policymakers, heads of international organizations, private sector leaders, and civil society groups with an overall objective of turning climate commitments into action. "We need to invest in ourselves, because these investments are our investments in our collective future. From aligning our efforts toward NDCs to working together on accelerating just transition to a low-carbon economy; to building the adaptive capacities of our communities, to utilizing best available science and multi-risk analysis frameworks and tools; and to harnessing domestic and international finance,” CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized. For more information about the Climate Investment Forum, visit the social media accounts of the CCC using @CCCPhl or visit its website at https://climate.gov.ph.
