MANILA, 13 July 2022 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC), the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and various transport groups vowed to accelerate the transportation sector’s transition towards low-carbon and sustainable development in pursuit of the country’s commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
 
In the Climate and Transport Forum co-organized by the two agencies, participants from the national government, public and private transport stakeholders, businesses, enterprises, and civil society organizations signed a Pledge of Support to further mainstream climate-responsive and low-carbon ways in the transport sector.
 
The pledge include finding and implementing sustainable pathways to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the sector, gathering of relevant transport data, promotion of clean and green technologies, and employing low-carbon strategies, policies, and programs not only to reduce or avoid GHG emissions, but to realize the common vision of sustainable transport, among others.
 
Based on the 2010 National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, the transport sector ranked as the third-largest emitter sector in the country with 24.17 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e). These emissions are caused by land transportation (87.88%), water-borne navigation (9.18%), and domestic aviation (2.95%).
 
In his welcome remarks, CCC Secretary Robert E.A. Borje emphasized the progress the Philippine government has made in transitioning to a sustainable and low-carbon transportation system.
 
He recognized the DOTr for empowering low carbon initiatives for transport, being one of the first sectoral agencies that institutionalized the greenhouse gas inventory team and first to submit quantified mitigation measures for the NDC to the CCC.
 
Despite steps taken to fulfill the country’s commitments to sustainable development, Secretary Borje stressed that “the growing population, rapid urbanization, and worsening climate conditions require us to do more. More than build back better, we must Build Right at First Sight.”
 
This entails averting disasters, working smart, having adequate resources, and anchoring policies and programs on universally accessible climate science and technology.
 
“We need to be transformative as we transition the transport sector to low carbon development. We need to forge partnerships, unlock access to finance and technology, and operate in a whole-of-nation approach towards an effective and transformative low carbon transport sector - a transformation that would benefit everyone,” Secretary Borje said.
 
On the other hand, then DOTR Secretary Arthur Tugade underscored the need to ensure that no one will be left behind in the transformation of the transportation sector.
 
“We would like to move forward with a common vision of equitable access of transport across all income groups, genders, and abilities to ensure that no Filipino shall be left behind. This forum has been organized in partnership with the Climate Change Commission to celebrate the success that we had and to start our conversation on how to further mainstream climate-responsive and low-carbon ways in the transport sector,” said former Secretary Tugade.
 
The forum featured panel discussions on low-carbon transportation from various sectors, including the academe, Dr. Jose Bienvenido Biona of De La Salle University; development partners, Mr. Jose Alfonso Maria Cua from UNDP Low Carbon Transport Project Team; private sector, Mr. Yuri Sarmiento from Electric Vehicle Expansion Enterprises, Inc. and the Federation of Electric Vehicle Operators, Inc; public transport operators and cooperatives, Mr. Leonardo Bautista from Pagunova Transport and Multi-purpose Service Cooperative; and transport sector civil society organizations, Mr. John Leo Algo from Aksyon Klima Pilipinas.
 
The event was held in anticipation of the National Disaster Resilience Month (NDRM) in July, which emphasizes the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges of climate change and disaster risk reduction and management. This year’s NDRM theme, “Sambayanang Pilipino, Nagkakaisa tungo sa Katatagan at Maunlad na Kinabukasan” highlights the unifying efforts of all sectors and communities towards sustainable development.
 
This forum supports the Philippine Government’s inclusive approach to policy development which includes avoidance, mobility efficiency, and low-carbon solutions as part of the transition of the transportation industry to a low carbon future.
 
Watch the replay of the Climate and Investment Forum through this link: https://fb.watch/dXnVR1ryKj/.