QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES 8 February 2019 – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 7, 2019 to tackle public health challenges emerging from rising temperatures through integrating climate change curriculum into tertiary education in medical schools.  CCC Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said the signing of the MoU recognizes that the protection and enhancement of health is an essential pillar of sustainable development, adding that one of the Commission’s mission is to engage health professionals in policy decisions on climate adaptation mitigation actions. “The insights of medical practitioners are valuable in ensuring that national and local climate change interventions would also protect and promote the health of our people,” Secretary De Guzman said in his speech before a group of medical practitioners in the country.  Secretary De Guzman added that the Commission has organized last year a series of forums and dialogues with hospital administrators on the co-benefits of turning hospitals and healthcare facilities into climate-smart institutions through its Green Hospital Initiative.  “Our goal is to trigger more in-depth discussions on scientific and practical issues residing at the climate-health nexus and to facilitate the establishment of networks that could serve as avenues for communication and sharing of resources within the health sector,” the Secretary said. “Given the substantial carbon footprint of the hospitals and healthcare facilities, we also recognize that technological advancements for healthcare could be strong enablers of climate action.”  The agreement will ensure the development of a “Climate Change Curriculum in Medical and Tertiary Education” which aims to develop climate change curriculum in 54 medical schools, tertiary health courses, and conduct residency trainings in hospitals. The MoU will also provide a strategic collaboration to further strengthen the aim of the Commission in mainstreaming climate change in all sectors in pursuit of the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.  “Through this agreement, we are taking one step forward in advancing our cause and delivering the health benefits we desire for our people,” De Guzman said.  The signing of the MoU was witnessed by Dr. Evelyn C. Cruzada of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Office of the President; Dr. Virginia D. Aldate of the Commission on Higher Education; Mr. Naderev M. Sano, former CCC Commissioner and now Executive Director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia; Mr. Ramon San Pascual, Executive Director of Health Care Without Harm – Asia; and Mr. Rodne R. Galicha, Country Manager of The Climate Reality Project Philippines

CARCAR CITY, CEBU PHILIPPINES  7 February 2019 – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has urged cooperatives to use their network in local communities to raise awareness on local climate adaptation and mitigation practices.   “We strongly believe that tapping into the energy and dynamism of cooperatives nationwide would help in advancing the country’s climate agenda forward. I hope we would be able to find more points for convergence and collaboration on climate action,” CCC Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said during the Cooperative Forum on February 5 organized by the Cooperatives Development Authority (CDA) and the City Government of Cebu. De Guzman said among the climate actions the cooperative sector could do are the following: promote and mainstream sustainable food production operations and practices; provide early warnings on impending natural hazards; raise awareness on climate change adaptation and mitigation practices (CCAM); provide finance to local mitigation and adaptation projects; and serve as the voice of climate justice during local participatory budgeting and decision making processes.   “Given your proximity to rural communities and your unique capacity to instill the value of climate action within your group, cooperatives could play a key role in ensuring rapid and effective response to climate change on the ground,” De Guzman said.   The Commission, he said, is in the process of finding the 100 best adaptation practices nationwide which will be showcased in the CCC’s upcoming events.   “Our goal is to inspire other local government units to implement their own adaptation initiatives. If you are a part of an organization working on innovative, transformative local practices for adaptation, please do not hesitate to share your story with us and to the nation,” De Guzman said.  

MANILA, PHILIPPINES  1 February 2019 – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) joins the global call for stronger climate action for healthier wetlands in celebration of the World Wetlands Day on February 2. “Due to the increasing prevalence of climate change and human activities, our wetland areas and its quality continue to decline, disrupting their natural water flow and biodiversity therein,” said CCC Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman. February 2 also marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance or the Ramsar Convention in Ramsar, Iran. With this year’s theme, “Wetlands and Climate Change,” De Guzman urges government agencies and stakeholders to initiate fast and efficient climate action to preserve the ecological balance of our wetlands which play a crucial role in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation. De Guzman said it is important to implement strictly our environmental laws to uphold the integrity of our wetlands and the ecosystem. “Together, let us take pride and lead the global effort to protect wetland areas for us and the future generations to come,” De Guzman said.

Senator Loren Legarda today met with Ms. Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and currently the Convenor of Mission 2020, to discuss ways how to further unlock investments to scale up clean and renewable energy development in the country and the world. Legarda, UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience and UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion, shared that transitioning towards a low carbon economy remains a challenge, but the potential economic returns, as well as the advantages in reducing climate and disaster risks, will be massive. “I’m proud to champion the policies and laws in place for us to transition towards a low carbon and sustainable path, but I agree, the challenge really is to operationalize these, and at the same time, to mobilize resources and innovation from the private sector and business community,” Legarda stressed. Legarda said that Figueres is in the Philippines to discuss opportunities with public and private sector leaders for accelerating the transition towards a lower-emissions Asian economy and creating space for governments to enhance their commitments under the Paris Agreement, in preparation for the UN Secretary-General’s Summit in September 2019. Legarda also noted that it was during Figueres’ term as UNFCCC Executive Secretary that the historic Paris Agreement was signed. She recalled Figueres’ visit to the Philippines to witness the launch of the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change in Malacañang and to visit Yolanda-hit towns in Eastern Samar in 2015. “The Philippines is among the many developing countries that emit less than 1% of the total global GHG. There is no debate that we did not cause climate change, but we must take it upon ourselves not to contribute further to this crisis. We must set targets to keep global temperature rise to 1.5°C by reducing global GHG emissions by 45% of 2010 levels by 2030 and to zero by mid-century,” Legarda concluded.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES 23 January 2019 – The Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction lauds the National Economic & Development Authority (NEDA) Declaration on Climate Change during its meeting held at SEAMEO Innotech, Diliman, Quezon City. NEDA commits the agency to green its systems and practices and, at the same time, to track down its carbon footprint. The NEDA Management Committee Officials, in its Declaration “reaffirm their commitment to conserve our environment and natural resources and address climate change, and call upon all NEDAns to take proactive role in adopting and implementing concrete actions toward greening NEDA’s systems and process which will contribute in reducing NEDA’s carbon footprint.” Moreover, it also authorizes the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Staff (ANRES) “to spearhead the implementation of progressive measures that would result in the achievement of their objectives.” “The NEDA Declaration on Climate Change provides a framework that will guide and enable NEDA to implement bold and concrete actions that are geared toward addressing climate change and ensuring the protection and conservation of our environment and natural resources,” Socio-Economic Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said. As presented during the meeting, the NEDA Climate Change Strategy is composed of four components: 1. The first component is the development and dissemination of a video on climate change and the adoption of the NEDA Declaration on Climate Change. 2. The second component is the mainstreaming of sustainable consumption and practices in NEDA’s internal processes such as water and energy conservation, efficient use of resources, phase-down of plastics, waste reduction and recycling, and greening of the workplace. 3. The third component is the introduction as well as the adoption of alternative transport service schemes like ride-sharing and point-to-point shuttle service. 4. The fourth and the last component is the monitoring and assessment of the effectiveness of its climate change mitigation initiatives by measuring and tracking their carbon dioxide emissions reduction and changes in behavior as the same time setting-up of a reward system to incentivize good practice. Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman of the Climate Change Commission, together with Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, presided the first cabinet cluster meeting for the year. They led in congratulating NEDA on its efforts to recognize the policy of the State to afford full protection and advancement of the right of people to a healthy ecology to fulfill human needs while maintaining the quality of the natural environment for current and future generations as mandated by RA 9729, otherwise known as the Climate Change Act of 2009, as amended by RA 10174. In emulating NEDA, the cabinet cluster passed a resolution encouraging the member-agencies to address climate change and to take a proactive role in adopting and implementing concrete actions that will contribute in reducing our country’s carbon footprint.

KATOWICE, POLAND 20 December 2018 – Over 20,000 delegates from 195 countries, including the Philippines, adopted over the weekend a set of guidelines for implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement meant to guide efforts for global climate action. After two weeks of negotiations, the so-called ‘Paris Rulebook’ was adopted by all member countries at the 24th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 24). The set of guidelines covered technical details of the Paris Agreement, including setting up of new finance goals of US$100 billion a year by 2020 as well as on how countries provide information about countries’ climate actions, mitigation and adaptation measures. As Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum in 2015, the Philippines, on behalf of 48 developing countries, led the advocacy for the ambitious global warming threshold of 1.5C, now enshrined in the Paris Agreement as its long-term temperature goal (stated as: “limiting global average temperature to well below 2 °C and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C”). The Paris Agreement is set to come into effect in 2020. With the adoption of the ‘rulebook’ on how to tackle climate change, Climate Change Commission Secretary Emmanuel M. de Guzman, however said that more work needs to be done by all countries. He also recognized the hard work and extraordinary leadership that Poland have exemplified to bring COP24 to its conclusion. The Philippines, he said, reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and engaged in all climate talks while protecting its key interests, including climate justice. “For the work we cannot finish in our time, we shall pass on to our younger colleagues. After all, climate change is an intergenerational challenge that requires the passing of the baton of responsibility from one generation to another,” de Guzman said. Countries are expected to re-submit or update their climate pledges known as “Nationally Determined Contributions” (NDCs) in 2020. The Philippines is set to submit its Nationally Determined Contributions next year after it has completed its ground work with all local stakeholders – both with the national government agencies and the non-state actors. Secretary De Guzman further said the Philippines will continue to champion the following concerns of developing countries: finance are delivered, including for technology development, transfer and diffusion, and capacity-building; developed countries have clear programmes for delivery; clarity and acceptability of the time frame of the programmes to enable developing countries like the Philippines to build their national capacities to avoid future generation of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and to survive the intensifying impacts of climate change through anticipatory adaptation. In the closing hour of the conference, Secretary de Guzman, on behalf of the entire Filipino nation, conveyed its appreciation to the COP Presidency and the Parties for the recognition they have shown on the untimely demise of Bernaditas de Castro-Muller. Ms de Castro-Muller is a veteran negotiator representing the Group of 77 and China and was dubbed as the “dragon lady” of climate negotiations. “Beyond her institutional legacy, she lives on in the hearts and minds of the younger colleagues she had taught and inspired. With the passing of Ditas, the Philippines lost a dear colleague; the developing countries lost a champion of their cause; and the world lost a great citizen. May the passion and commitment we saw in Ditas inspire us and those who will come after us to carry on the work in the climate negotiation process,” de Guzman added.

KATOWICE, POLAND 15 December 2018 – Curbing air pollution and improving public health can drive broader climate action, Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman of the Climate Change Commission said during the 10th High Level Assembly of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) here during the two-week United Nations climate change conference. Secretary De Guzman, who leads the Philippine delegation to the climate talks and, at the same time, a member of the Steering Committee of the CCAC, lauded the Action Programme of the CCAC presented at the high-level assembly calling for “enhanced ambition to rapidly reduce short-lived climate pollutants and to ensure that mitigation efforts are integrated in order to address air pollution and climate change.” The Action Programme also recognizes that action taken in the next decade is crucial if the world is to achieve the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature goal. CCAC is a partnership of 61 governments, 17 intergovernmental organizations, 54 non-government organizations including businesses and scientific institutions. Short-lived climate pollutants such as methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons and tropospheric ozone, have powerful effect on global temperatures. “We join the Coalition on these climate actions that could avoid an estimated 2.4 million premature deaths from outdoor air pollution annually by 2030, prevent annual crop losses by as much as 52 million tons, avoid global warming by as much as 0.6°C by 2050,” Secretary De Guzman said citing the newly-released report of the World Health Organization in Katowice during the climate talks. The WHO report singles out two short-lived climate pollutants with greatest impact on climate change and health, black carbon and methane. He said that climate change should be seen as “an urgent public health issue” as it pose a major health threat to people due to worsening air pollution and illnesses indicated in the WHO report. Secretary De Guzman added that the Action Programme could prevent climate tipping points that exacerbate long-term climate impacts and make climate change adaptation harder and sustainable development more elusive, especially for the poor and vulnerable nations like the Philippines. “Philippines stands strongly committed to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs),” Secretary De Guzman said, adding that Philippines supports the CCAC and the collective global actions that could reduce methane emissions by 25 percent and black carbon by 75 percent, as well as to eliminate hydrofluorocarbons in the next 25 years. Secretary De Guzman said the Philippines have included reducing SLCPs in the national planning process as well as in our system for measurement, reporting and validation (MRV) for carbon emissions. The Philippines, he said, will continue to strive to improve air quality with the full implementation of the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 with a goal to achieve and maintain air quality that meets the national air quality guidelines for criteria pollutants and their emissions standards. He further said Philippines has step up efforts in adopting the Euro 6 fuel and vehicle standards and the rapid deployment of electric vehicles; maximizing energy efficiency as countries phasedown HFCs, as well as a systems approach to cooling and heating; enhancing mitigation measures for emissions from agriculture; shifting to renewable energy to meet the demands and contribution to the global effort of limiting global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. “We shall scale up our climate actions in all sectors, through a whole-of-society-and-government approach. This we shall pursue with a robust strategy for climate financing, technology development and transfer, and capacity building. We shall fast-track these climate actions through the support of our development partners,” De Guzman said.

KATOWICE, POLAND 15 December 2018 – The Philippines made an impassionate appeal to world leaders to “demonstrate climate action and leadership” as the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) climate conference in Katowice is going into its decisive second week. “Climate action and leadership resolve must be demonstrated by all. Now is the time for leadership, not cowardice,” said Climate Change Commission (CCC) Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman. “There is no excuse for inaction among the world’s most powerful nations.” Secretary De Guzman delivered this strong message at the launch of the “Jummemej Declaration” of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) event on which calls on COP 24 to take key decisions on ambitious outcome in Katowice. At COP 24, governments from 196 nations are struggling to complete the complex details needed to implement the ‘rulebook’ or work program to implement the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, as well as to heed the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming and the ‘Talanoa’ Dialogue by recommending revised and enhanced climate change plans or the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2020. The Philippines is among countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as rising sea levels, prolonged droughts floods and changes in rainfall patterns. “It is our moral duty to be clear about where we stand. We are in Poland in the name of the children of tomorrow whose interests we must secure, compelled by science and duty,” said Secretary De Guzman, also the head of the Philippine delegation to the United Nations climate talks. “The success of these talks will determine countless lives and existence. The choices leaders weigh here spell the difference between annihilation and hope that we may live far into the future with requisite happiness, peace, and security.” Developing countries and small island states also pointed out to welcome and respect the IPCC special report on 1.5 degrees Celsius, saying that the only way to keep average global temperatures from rising above 1.5C by the end of the century is to phase out the use of fossil fuels by 2050. The Philippines is highly regarded in the negotiation process at the climate talks as a leader of developing countries. As Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum in 2015, the Philippines, on behalf of 48 developing countries, led the advocacy for the ambitious global warming threshold of 1.5C. “Enough of politics. Believe science. No to extinction of the vulnerable,” Secretary De Guzman said. “The success of these talks will determine countless lives and existence. The choices leaders weigh here spell the difference between annihilation and hope that we may live far into the future with requisite happiness, peace, and security.” In 2013, the Philippines experienced the onslaught of Super Typhoon Haiyan that wiped out homes, killed more than 7,000 lives, displacing more than 4 million people and destroyed infrastructure and agricultural lands leaving those who survived homeless and without any source of income. Damages reached almost US$5 billion. “We find ourselves again in this familiar stage, brought to this precipice by indecision and indifference. How can we, the world’s most vulnerable, find the courage to act both for 2020 and for tomorrow?” Secretary De Guzman said, adding that “small, low-lying countries have “contributed next to nothing, yet we suffer the brunt”. However, Secretary De Guzman said the Philippines is “making a stand and giving all” it can on climate action, saying that a resilient low carbon future is the only pathway that will secure inclusive, enduring development for all. “Indecision and weakness in the face of the greatest peril humanity has ever faced is nothing less than immoral. Enough of indifference and inaction. The decades of apathy and procrastination must end here in Katowice,” he stressed. Secretary De Guzman said, “now is the time to call out countries that do not stand with us. Instead of condemning our nations and the Earth to a future menaced by runaway climate change, we ask you to stand for the good. Stand for the people.”

KATOWICE, POLAND 14 December 2018 – Climate Change Commission (CCC) Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman on Wednesday, December 13, relayed the Philippines’ strong call for “urgent and ambitious action in the context of climate justice” at the high-level segment of the 24th Conference of Parties (COP 24) under the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) happening here. Secretary De Guzman, who heads the country’s delegation to the climate talks, appealed to world leaders to ramp up climate action efforts and “exhibit leadership and deliver on commitments” to counter climate change. The two-week conference in Katowice aims to gather countries to agree a rule book on how to enforce action to limit further warming of the planet under the 2015 Paris Agreement. “We must heed the call for urgent and ambitious action in the context of climate justice, Secretary De Guzman said. “We must believe science. The decades of inaction and delay must end here in Katowice. Changing together for a resilient future should start here and now.” The Secretary said that the best available science “mandates us to deliver on our commitments, with utmost urgency and equity.” Any attempt to backslide on commitments or rewrite the Convention and its Paris Agreement should be rejected. A key report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in October released a stark warning to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst impacts of climate change such as the increasing risk to drought, flood, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people. World leaders have only 12 years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 45% of 2010 levels if they want to limit global warming to 1.5C. Secretary De Guzman stressed that together with the Climate Vulnerable Forum nations, the IPCC Special Report on 1.5C “affirms the Philippine advocacy and moral resolve” to achieve the 1.5C goal set in the Paris Agreement. “Ensuring environmental integrity is critically important. To this end, we need to establish a transparent, real time global accounting system for climate actions supported by “state of the art technology,” he said. “The gravity of the climate change problem obliges us to pursue the 1.5 climate ambition together.” The Philippines, he said, is prepared to leapfrog to more affordable, scalable solutions from renewable energy sources to achieve a more resilient economy. “We are ready to leapfrog to a green economy. But first and foremost, our people must survive to thrive,” Secretary De Guzman said. Secretary De Guzman enumerated the Philippines has taken to fight climate change, saying that the Philippines national laws are “unequivocal in mainstreaming adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the national and local development plans, programs, and budgets.” He talked about pioneering in climate change legislation with the Climate Change Act of 2009, and the country’s domestic climate finance, the establishment of the People’s Survival Fund for local adaptation measures, the legislation of renewable energy law and a Green Job Act. To date, the country is formulating the energy efficiency and conservation law and a national transport policy. The Philippines, he said, is resolved to pursue a low-carbon development pathway although we emit only less than half of one percent of the global emissions, essentially “survival emissions.”

KATOWICE, POLAND 12 December 2018 – Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman presented the country’s People’s Survival Fund (PSF), the country’s flagship climate finance mechanism for adaptation projects, which help local communities undertake domestic action to address climate impacts and support their transition towards a climate-resilient and low-carbon development pathway. De Guzman, head of the Philippine delegation to the 24th Conference of Parties (COP24) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), delivered the climate adaptation efforts of the country at the side event of the Vulnerable 20 Group of Finance Ministers (V20), organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) and the Munich Climate Insurance Initiative. The Secretary said the PSF, which follows an enhanced direct access modality through a demand-based access process specifically tailored for local government units and local organizations, sets a high ambition of how inclusive climate financing should look like. “As a climate financing window, I am proud to share with you the innovations unique to the PSF. It strives to respond to specific local adaptation needs by focusing on grassroots-level engagement with local governments and organizations. It is an innovation because it veers away from the conventional top-down planning process from the national government down to local implementers. It shifts the decision-making process of what to ask for and how much to ask to those who are experiencing the situation first-hand,” Secretary De Guzman explained. He said that the availability of climate funds and opportunities is always an issue in fully undertaking the high ambitions that the country set when the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015. “We know climate finance is critical and we know it is also limited, in terms of availability and in terms of its inability to cover the more serious impacts, which we call loss and damage. The delivery of climate finance needs to be faster, in greater scale and in more responsive modalities,” De Guzman said. He said the Philippines started transforming its climate finance landscape when the PSF Law was passed in 2012, as an amendment to the Climate Change Act of 2009, allocating P1 billion for local adaptation projects and providing much needed predictable funds in support of local climate action. De Guzman added that the Climate Change Commission has been extending technical guidance and support in project proposal design and research in order to ensure that risks and vulnerabilities are articulated well, with the help of delivery partners, including non-government organizations, civil society, and the academe. He emphasized that the PSF seeks to influence the bureaucratic national budgeting and reporting processes, stating that the PSF Board, which manages the fund, is led by the Department of Finance (DOF), together with other economic agencies and non-government representatives, to fast track the mainstreaming of climate action into the overall development strategy of the Philippines. “We are looking forward to the PSF getting more experience and hopefully it finds the perfect balance between access and accountability to allow local governments and organizations to contribute more in the resilience building and adaptation efforts of the Philippines,” De Guzman said. He also noted that the PSF can also serve as a vehicle to channel premium support towards climate risk insurance solutions to help manage the impacts of climate-related disasters, where adaptation and disaster risk reduction aren’t enough, and can be augmented by international sources, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF). “Challenges brought about by the impacts of climate change, both rapid and slow onset, are getting worse every day we spend doing nothing. Inaction has its price. Countries should embrace the massive co-benefits of ambitious climate action,” De Guzman said.

Katowice, Poland 11 December 2018 – Climate Change Commission (CCC) Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman welcomed the release of the Adaptation Gap Report 2018, launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on December 7 at the climate change summit here, which highlighted Philippine policies and measures that enable climate adaptation in the country. “We thank the report’s citation on our adaptation efforts in the Philippines, and we take this as further encouragement that we are on the right track to saving more lives and livelihoods and building further resilience within our communities, which is what enabling adaptation really means for a climate-vulnerable developing country like ours,” said De Guzman, also , head of the Philippine delegation to the 24th Conference of Parties (COP24) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). He shared that the report, which examines the gaps in taking stock and assessing progress on adaptation (expressed through laws and policies, adaptive capacity, and finance), described the Philippines with a “comprehensive adaptation legislation,” starting with the Climate Change Act of 2009, which established the CCC. The report also cited the creation of the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and Disaster Risk Reduction; and the formulation of the 2010 National Framework Strategy on Climate Change, leading to the 2011 National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), which provided a roadmap for climate action in seven thematic priority areas, with the ultimate goal of building the adaptive capacities of women and men in their communities and increase the resilience of vulnerable sectors and natural ecosystems to climate change. De Guzman added that the report acknowledges the government’s efforts of rolling out science-based climate and disaster risk and vulnerability assessment processes to ensure that adaptation and disaster risk reduction are mainstreamed and integrated into the country’s plans and programs at all levels. The Secretary noted that beyond creating the enabling environment, the CCC is also intensifying its efforts in building the capacity of local government units, transitioning sectors towards a green economy, and facilitating efficient access to international climate finance to support climate action within the country. “Through a whole-of-nation approach, the Philippines is constantly exploring new ways, guided by science and the practical knowledge of our communities, to find solutions towards ensuring that our people can truly be able to survive and thrive,” De Guzman concluded. Please click here to download the UNEP The Adaptation Gap Report 2018 .

KATOWICE, POLAND 7 December 2018 – Philippines Climate Change Commission Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman urges countries to make progress in the global fight against climate change, adding that the gathering of the world leaders at the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), commonly known as COP24, is an opportunity for countries to demonstrate their commitment and to set stronger climate action in Poland. Several reports have painted a stark picture of the current state of the planet a few days before the climate talks. The alarming report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for instance, pointed out that world leaders need to step up climate action if the world is to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Already, the Philippines and many other countries are facing challenges such as droughts, higher sea levels and catastrophic typhoons exacerbated by climate change. “We need to incorporate climate change in our long-term policy. In the climate talks, ours is a leadership voice on behalf of the climate vulnerable. The Philippines championed climate justice,” said De Guzman, also the lead negotiator of the Philippine delegation to COP 24. At COP24, countries will need to come to agreement on the implementing guidelines that is necessary to operationalize the 2015 Paris Agreement, signal their intention to strengthen their national climate plans by 2020, and make progress on dealing with the finance. De Guzman said the Philippine delegation to the climate talks will safeguard the continued success of the landmark Paris Agreement, adding that the country will continue to champion the following concerns of developing countries: finance are delivered, including for technology development, transfer and diffusion, and capacity-building; developed countries have clear programmes for delivery; clarity and acceptability of the time frame of the programmes to enable developing countries like the Philippines to build their national capacities to avoid future generation of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and to survive the intensifying impacts of climate change through anticipatory adaptation. Additionally, the Philippines will push for the establishment of a global accounting system that deals with both the causes and impacts of climate change, and monitors environmental integrity. This system will allow countries to monitor collective progress against the global temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. The Philippines will deliver on its commitment to submit to UNFCCC its first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) next year. “The NDC of the Philippines conveys our country’s readiness to raise our ambition and pursue the low carbon transition of our sectors towards a climate resilient and green economy,” de Guzman explained. “However, we would like to emphasize that defining the ambition and contributions of developing country Parties entails clarity on the delivery of the means of implementation. It is therefore critical that COP 24 delivers on the guidance on how to ensure scale, predictability and sustainability in the delivery of climate finance.” De Guzman said both developed and developing countries should agree on the modalities, procedures and guidelines, including a common set of clear, straightforward, and measurable indicators, for reporting. A common set of indicators can be tested initially in the current and contemplated reporting instruments, adjusted and adopted at the soonest time possible into a coherent reporting framework. In his message during the Climate Change Consciousness Week last month in Manila, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said effective climate mitigation and adaptation strategies can prevent the worst impacts of climate change. “Climate change is indeed one of the major challenges that the entire world must face. It is a day-today problem that demands effective strategies and measures to enable us to mitigate its effects and strengthen our disaster response capabilities,” President Duterte said. “To live in an increasingly warming planet is to live in constant fear and danger.”

KATOWICE, POLAND 3 December 2018--The Philippines joins 196 countries for a two-week climate change conference in Katowice, Poland, to adopt the implementation guidelines of the 2015 Paris Agreement that bound participating governments to help climate-vulnerable nations adapt to climate change impacts and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the climate talks, known as the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 24) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Katowice, the Philippines reaffirms its leadership on climate action and highlights its initiative on climate justice to help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change. The 2015 Global Climate Risk index put the Philippines on top of the list of 186 countries most affected by climate change. “In the climate talks, ours is a leadership voice on behalf of the climate vulnerable. The Philippines has succeeded in championing climate justice and other fundamental principles in the talks,” Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman, vice chairperson of the Climate Change Commission, said. “We continue to enjoin developed countries to improve their mitigation targets, mobilize climate finance and accelerate its flow, as well as the development and transfer of technology,” said De Guzman, also head of the Philippine delegation to the Katowice talks. The climate talks, he said, is an opportunity for the Philippines to show leadership and momentum on global climate action and to ensure the completion of the implementation guidelines of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change that addressed the priorities, needs and attainment of sustainable development for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries. The Philippines is highly regarded in the negotiation process at the climate talks as a leader of developing countries. As Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum in 2015, the Philippines, on behalf of 48 developing countries, led the advocacy for the ambitious global warming threshold of 1.5C, now enshrined in the Paris Agreement as its long-term temperature goal (stated as: “limiting global average temperature to well below 2 °C and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C”). “We succeeded in stipulating in the Paris Agreement that adaptation finance must solely be in the form of grants, and not loans or other means of access. We also succeeded in retaining the focus on loss and damage and on strengthening the international mechanisms and approaches for managing climate and disaster risk,” De Guzman said. As among the most influential voices in the climate negotiations, De Guzman said the Philippines will be constant and persistent in its call for the provision of scaled-up, continuous, predictable, and adequate financial support of developed countries to developing countries. He said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, chairperson of the Climate Change Commission, had made clear that climate change is among the top priorities of his administration. “The government has demonstrated its commitment to protect the country’s natural resources by ensuring that our national development policies and plans help build the capacity of our local communities to adapt to the changing climate and enjoy a clean and green environment,” De Guzman said. Following the recent release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on 1.5 degrees Celsius, the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Virtual Leaders’ Summit held on November 22, featured interactive debates and live statements from leaders around the world to raise the ambition of their climate targets by 2020 in order to save vulnerable nations threatened by warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius target of the Paris Agreement. In his message at the summit, President Duterte aired a sense of urgency in the fight against climate change, telling world leaders that “climate action and ambition must be shared and demonstrated by all nations.” “I call on industrialized nations to significantly reduce their carbon emissions and provide assistance to developing nations in terms of finance, capacity building and technology transfers, as urged by the Paris Agreement,” the President said. “It is only by helping one another that we can win the fight against climate change,” President Duterte said. The Philippine delegation to the climate talks in Katowice, Poland will be crucial in safeguarding the continued success of the Paris Agreement. The country will continue to champion the following concerns of developing countries: finance are delivered, including for technology development, transfer and diffusion, and capacity-building; developed countries have clear programmes for delivery; clarity and acceptability of the time frame of the programmes to enable developing countries like the Philippines to build their national capacities to avoid future generation of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and to survive the intensifying impacts of climate change through anticipatory adaptation.

At the closing of the 2018 Climate Change Consciousness Week, held from November 19 to 23, 2018, Climate Change Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera reiterated the call for all Filipinos and the international community to step up climate action to limit global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. With the increasing prevalence of climate risks, Herrera said that leaders are tasked to exert more effort, especially for indigenous peoples, farmers, and fisherfolk who are highly dependent on their natural ecosystems, in order to “live safely and effectively amidst the impacts of climate change.” “We must act on what nature and science are telling us. If not, we are putting lives and our biodiversity at risk. Our call for the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming threshold is already gaining momentum globally, and this shall drive us to push for greater ambition and strengthen leadership in climate talks for the benefit of our present and future generations,” Herrera said. “Above all, we must continue to show leadership as a vulnerable country, as a way to amplify and inspire many more to action,” Herrera added. Commissioner Herrera also shared the message of President Duterte, who chairs the Climate Change Commission, at the first Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Virtual Leaders Summit, emphasizing that “climate action and ambition must be shared and demonstrated by all nations” and that developed countries must give their fair share of climate action, especially in terms of technology transfer, climate finance, and capacity building. Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman also stated that addressing climate change is “our moral responsibility to ensure that generations will survive and thrive in a warmer world.” Senator Loren Legarda joined this week’s celebration, via a recorded message, underlining the importance of local climate action. “At the global stage, we are forging a bold, strategic vision for adaptation. But we must then contextualize our discussions on our efforts on the ground: climate action is local. For us in the Philippines, adaptation is a matter of survival. We have been urging both our public and private sectors to embrace adaptation and to work together for a secure and resilient future,” Legarda stressed.   ###

Science Informing Climate Policy and Action Aligning Policies and Plans to the 1.5˚Celsius Long Term-Temperature Goal Strengthening Local Resilience and Adaptation Capacity Science and Risk-Based Local Development and Investment Planning Enhancing Access to Climate Finance Understanding the Climate Change as Development Policy Nexus Experiences, Best Practices, and Lessons Learned from the Local Government Units Databases, Models, and Tools Towards Resiliency Special Session on Climate Change Adaptation Initiatives: Manila, Philippines 21 November 2018 – The Climate Change Commission is spearheading this year’s observance of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week from 19 November 2018 with the theme: The 1.5˚Celsius Climate Challenge: Survive and Thrive Together. “Strengthening Community Resilience and Adapting to Climate Change” is where this “community-gathering” revolves and resolves the challenges of climate change. The convention on November 22-23, 2018 not only highlights the spectrum of involvement of actors in climate issues but also weaves their ideas and actions into one tapestry of unified commitment during this 2nd National Convention. The 7 Plenary Sessions provide an in-depth report and discussion on Strengthening Community Resilience and Adapting to Climate Change. Plenary Session 1 discusses the Science Informing Climate Policy And Action which starts with an IPCC Special Report on the Global Warming of 1.50 Celsius by Dr. Rosa T. Perez, Member of the National Technical Experts of the Climate Change Commission. This is followed by the presentation on Climate Change Projection in the Philippines by Dr. Flaviano D. Hilario of the DOST-PAGASA, supported by Mr. John Davis of The Climate Reality Project with his focus on Climate Change Risks: A Global Perspective. Dr. Rodel Lasco and Mr. Leandro V. Buendia present the Philippine Climate Change Assessment Report (2018): An Overview of the Joint Publication of the Climate Change Commission- Oscar M. Lopez Center with the Launch of the Call for Research Studies: Adaptation to Extreme Weather and Slow On-set Events afterwards by Mr. Jerome Ilagan, Chief of Policy Research and Development Division of the Climate Change Commission. The first plenary ends with a discussion Towards Integrating Indigenous Peoples’ Practices and Traditional Knowledge on Sustainable Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Measures in the Local Climate Change Action Plan with the Signing of Memorandum of Agreement of the Climate Change Commission and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. Plenary Session 2 focuses on Aligning Policies and Plans to the 1.5˚Celsius Long Term-Temperature Goal with Revisiting the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and Ambisyon Natin 2040 with Climate Lens by Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of the National Economic Development Authority, followed by The Updating of the National Climate Change Action Plan by Mr. Jerome Ilagan, Finalizing the Philippine Nationally Determined Contribution by Ms. Sandee Recabar, Chief of Implementation and Oversight Division of the Climate Change Commission. The second plenary ends with a presentation on National Policy Review on Energy: Issues, Process, and Progress by Mr. Arnold Grant Belver, Senior Science Research Specialist. Plenary Session 3 aims for Strengthening Local Resilience and Adaptation Capacity through a discussion on the following; National Climate Risk Management Framework: Securing Societal Resilience in the Era of Climate Change by Ms. Amelia Supetran, Senior Technical Advisor of the Climate Change Commission, Revisiting the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan by Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad from the Office of Civil Defense, Department of National Defense, Comprehensive Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program for the Indigenous Peoples by Ms. Jannette Reisland of the Climate Change Commission, Making Cities Resilient Campaign: My City is Getting Ready by lawyer Violeta Seva of Makati City and the Enhanced Master Program in Public Safetyfrom the Philippine Public Safety College. Plenary Session 4 presents the Science and Risk-Based Local Development and Investment Planning through the following topics on; Communities for Resilience (CORE): Capacity Building of Local Governments on Science-based Development Planning, Climate Resiliency Field Schools: Enhancing Resilience in the Agriculture Sector, Enhancing Local Climate Change Action Plans with Climate and Disaster Risk Assessments and Ecosystem based Adaptation and Mitigation Framework, Mainstreaming Green Growth in Development Planning. Plenary Session 5 delves into the Enhancing Access to Climate Finance with Accessing the People's Survival Fund: Updates and Technical Support to be presented by Assistant Secretary Romell Antonio O. Cuenca, Deputy Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission. This is followed by The Green Climate Fund: Overview of Funding Facilities and Opportunities, and the National and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Funds: Guidelines and Updates. 2nd National Convention continues on the following day with Plenary Session 6 with Understanding the Climate Change as Development Policy Nexus which places the spotlight on the following matters; Climate Change and Health Nexus, Climate Change and National Security Nexus, Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Sustainable Development Nexus, Mainstreaming Gender on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction. Experiences, The Best Practices, and Lessons Learned from the Local Government Unitstakes on full attention as representatives from La Trinidad, Benguet, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon, Brooke's Point, Palawan, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna share their experiences to the audience. Plenary Session 7 concentrates on Databases, Models, and Tools Towards Resiliency with a presentation by Ms. Sandee Recabar on National Integrated Climate Change Database Information and Exchange System (NICCDIES), followed by Baywide Coastal Zone Modeling From Ridge to Reef from Mr. Jay-ar Ragub, EnP of the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office 8, ClimeX.db: A Risk Assessment Tool by Mr. Jodel Villacorte, Municipal Planning and Development Officer, General MacArthur, Leyte, ClimeX.dB Application on Comprehensive Land Use Plan Development by Ms. Judith Alde, Municipal Planning Development Officer, Balangiga, Samar. To end the 2nd National Convention, a Special Session on Climate Change Adaptation Initiatives provides the avenue for information and learning exchange on the following; Bamboo for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation by Mr. Edwardo Manda of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council, AKAP Health Facility: A Green Evacuation Center by Architect Ma. Luisa Daya-Garcia of the Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines, and Development of a Certificate Course Program on Disaster and Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation for Local Government Managers using CORE Modules and the Signing of Memorandum of Understanding of the Climate Change Commission and Development Academy of the Philippines.

National Business Climate Action Summit Breakthrough Business Models for a Decarbonized Transportation Sector Drawing Market-based Solutions for Solid Waste Management Water Climate Smart Philippine Hospitals Launch of the Awards System for the Private Business Sector Manila, Philippines 21 November 2018 – The Climate Change Commission is spearheading this year’s observance of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week from 19 to 25 November 2018 with the theme: The 1.5˚Celsius Climate Challenge: Survive and Thrive Together. A soot is a finely divided carbon deposited from flames during the incomplete combustion of organic substances such as coal as defined by Collins dictionary. Damaging our health and environment, we inhale it, every day. From the boardrooms to one hall of discussion, each participant on this day carries with them in their suitcases the knowledge, methods and strategies, and their commitment for carbon neutrality. On the third day of the conference, the event brings together government actors, business leaders and development agencies’ movers to shed light on the issues and actions governing industries and other sectors’ carbon emission and to discuss and resolve this head-on. The conference starts with The Journey of Exponential Transformation: A Presentation at the Global Climate Action Summit 2018 by Christina Figueres of Mission 2020 and Professor Johan Rockstrom of the Stockholm Resilience Center. A panel discussion to be moderated by Howie Severino focuses on the Rising To The 1.50 Celsius Climate Challenge: Translating Vision Into Action wherein Messages of Leadership Resolve and Commitment to Climate Action is laid out. This is participated by Atty. Emilio Aquino of SEC, Bernard Vincent Dy of Ayala Land Inc., Tessie Sy-Coson of SM Investments, Hans Sy of SM Prime Holdings, Michael Holmes of OceanaGold Philippines, Inc., Edmundo Fortunado of Analog Devices Philippines and Irwin Lee of Universal Robina Corporation. Senator Loren Legarda, Chairperson on Senate Committee on Finance and Climate Change asserts through We Are Doing Something About Climate Crisis: The Philippine NDC Video, their efforts to address this challenge that we all face. An overview of the Climate-Smart Philippine Hospitals Program is going to be presented by Dr. Linda Milan, Advisor for the Greening Philippine Hospitals Initiative of the CCC, followed by the Launch of the Awards System for the Private Business Sectors by Sandee Recabar, Chief of the Implementation and Oversight Division of the CCC. The afternoon session holds the venue for exchanging information, knowledge and efforts on Breakthrough Business Models For A Decarbonized Transportation Sector and Drawing Market-Based Solutions For Solid Waste Management.

Water sufficiency - The heart of people’s health and survival nexus in light of 1.5oC Water technologies and agriculture Water Security, Regulation and Governance Climate Science Youth Congress - CCC’s 2019 Search for Young Outstanding Climate Scientists Manila, Philippines 20 November 2018 – The Climate Change Commission is spearheading this year’s observance of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week from 19 to 25 November 2018 with the theme: The 1.5˚Celsius Climate Challenge: Survive and Thrive Together. On its second day, 20 November 2018, the conference takes a deep dive into the water issues with the objective of emerging with crystal clear information, technology, best practices and commitment to action from various sectors. We have long been submerged under the combined harmful habits in the use of water across our very own lifestyle and livelihood, from agriculture to fisheries to business practices. This threatens the quality and security of water - the vital need for life to continue. The conference tackles Water Security by The Numbers to be presented by Lisa Bersales, PhD from the Philippine Statistics Authority, followed by Clean Water For Our Communities: The Heart of The People’s Health And Survival Nexus In Light Of 1.50C by Susan Pineda-Mercado, PhD, the Special Envoy of the President for Global Health Initiatives. Department of Agriculture takes on the stage with its Latest Water Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture by Director Angel Enriquez. On the business sector, Jose Angelo Fernandez will present the Aboitiz Model: Public-Private Partnerships Approach to Water Security. Waves of other issues and efforts come into the spotlight when Roberto Soriano, PhD discusses the Climate Science: Assessment of Laguna Lake For Sustainable Water Use In Metro Manila, Followed by Towards A Convergent Water Regulation and Governance In The Era Of Climate Change by Executive Director Sevillo David, Jr. of the National Water Resources Board, and Securing Water For The Local Government Units by Secretary Eduardo Ano of DILG. The afternoon session shows the surge of developments that the Philippine Science High School endeavored to research and study: Development Of A Self-Sustaining Rainwater Collection System and AWD-Based Water Level Sensor For Philippine Farm For Reduced Water Consumption; Synthesis of A Pectin-Based Biodegradable Superabsorbent Polymer From Citrus Maxima For Agriculture Use; and Design of An Automated Spray Irrigation System For Cabbage Farming Using A Time-Domain Reflectometry-Based Soil Moisture Sensor The Climate Change Commission will launch its 2019 Search for Young Outstanding Climate Scientist before the day ends. The collaborative efforts from among leaders, students, communities and business sectors fortify the resolve to address water issues with ideas, information, and coherent action.

Simultaneous to the celebration of the 2018 Climate Change Consciousness Week, President Rodrigo Duterte joined several other heads of state and high-level policymakers today in the first Virtual Leaders Summit of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF). The CVF, a coalition of 48 developing countries, was chaired by the Philippines when it led the campaign in 2015 to enshrine the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold in the Paris Agreement. The Forum is currently chaired by the Republic of Marshall Islands, led by President Hilda Heine, who is hosting the online event meant to bring together world leaders and step up global climate ambition. In his message, President Duterte, who chairs the Climate Change Commission (CCC), emphasized that climate change is “a day-to-day problem and reality” for our people, which is why the government has “pioneered [its] own climate finance mechanism for local adaptation projects and pursued other climate change resiliency initiatives.” “Climate action and ambition must be shared and demonstrated by all nations,” President Duterte said, calling on all countries to do their “fair share” of climate action. “I call on industrialized nations to significantly reduce their carbon emissions and provide assistance to developing nations in terms of finance, capacity building and technology transfers, as urged by the Paris Agreement. It is only by helping one another that we can win the fight against climate change,” Duterte said. Climate Change Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman, as the Philippine National Focal Point to the CVF, also delivered a keynote statement, stressing that “climate action delayed is climate justice denied” and that “we must rise up to the 1.5 climate challenge to survive and thrive together.” Senator Loren Legarda also shared her journey to champion the environmental and climate change advocacy in the Philippines through a message, delivered by Climate Change Commissioner Rachel S. Herrera, for the All-Women Summit Champions Panel that featured stories of women taking leadership in climate action. About the CVF Virtual Leaders Summit The CVF Summit, as envisaged by current CVF Chair and Republic of Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, is an entirely online and carbon-neutral platform that calls for nations to show leadership and commit to raising their level of ambition in solidarity with the most vulnerable. Heads of state and high-level representatives are invited to participate in the CVF Summit and demonstrate intentions to raise ambition, including updating their national targets. Read more: https://www.virtualclimatesummit.org/about/

Manila, Philippines 16 November 2018 - The Climate Change Commission is spearheading this year’s observance of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week from 19 to 25 November 2018 with the theme The 1.5˚Celsius Climate Challenge: Survive and Thrive Together. The observance will highlight the whole-of-government climate action together with sustainable development stakeholders. A week-long conference aims to synergize the country's vision and policy direction towards green economy and low-carbon future, informed by the latest climate science and technology, knowledge and best practices on climate change resilience. The opening ceremonies on Monday, 19 November 2018, at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of Area Complex will be led by Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman, Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director of the Climate Change Commission. Senator Loren B. Legarda, Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation, and, at the same time, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) Global Champion for Resilience and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Champion for National Adaptation Plans, will deliver the keynote. The President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, as Chairman of the Climate Change Commission, will share his Vision for a Climate-Resilient Philippines. Invited speakers for the plenary sessions include Lourdes Tibig, PhD, National Panel of Technical Experts, Climate Change Commission, on The Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the Global Warming of 1.5oC; Fr. Daniel J. McNamara, S.J., PhD, Professor, School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Davao University, on The Philippine Climate Change Outlook; and Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera, Climate Change Commission; Mr. Heherson T. Alvarez, Former Vice-Chairperson, Climate Change Commission, Mr. Vince S. Perez, Former Secretary of Energy, Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua, Department of Education, Assistant Secretary Lorenzo A. Clavejo, Director, National Security Council, on The Philippine Climate Policy Landscape to be moderated by Bloomberg TV news anchor Roby Alampay. Invited to deliver their statements on climate action include the Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato T. de la Pena on Linking Science, Policy and Climate Action; Department of Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones on Advancing Climate Change Education in the Philippines, and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary-General Ernesto M. Pernia on Aligning National and Local Development Plans to the 1.5oC Global Climate Goal. Business leaders Ms. Alegria Limjoco, President, Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Mr. Nestor V. Tan, President, Bankers Association of the Philippines; Mr. Hans Sy, Chairman, Executive Committee, SM Prime Holdings Inc.; Mr. Jose Albert, President, Philippine Association of Supermarkets; Mr. Federico Lopez, Chief Executive Officer, First Philippine Holdings Corporation; and Mr. Leandro Leviste, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Solar Philippines, are invited to rise to the 1.5oC climate challenge and deliver their commitments to climate action. In the afternoon, Rodel D. Lasco, PhD, Scientific Director of Oscar M. Lopez Center, will lead in the launch of The Philippine Climate Change Assessment Report. A series of thematic priorities of the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) will follow. The first thematic panel on Securing Sustainable Food and Water Systems to be moderated by Carlos Primo C. David, PhD, Member, National Panel of Technical Experts, Climate Change Commission, will include Mr. Segfredo R. Serrano, Undersecretary for Policy and Planning, Department of Agriculture; Dr. Sevillo D. David, Jr., Executive Director, National Water Resources Board; Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., Chancellor, University of Philippines Los Baños; and Mr. Ramoncito S. Fernandez, President and CEO, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. The second thematic panel on Ensuring Ecosystems Integrity and Services for Climate Resilience to be moderated by Rodel D. Lasco, PhD, Member, National Panel of Technical Experts, Climate Change Commission will include Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-The, Undersecretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Ms. Julia Nebrija, Program Manager, Department of Budget Management; Atty. Lloyd Christopher A. Lao, Commissioner, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board; Mr. Richard B. Tantoco, President and Chief Operating Officer, Energy Development Corporation; and Mr. Edgardo C. Manda, President, Philippine Bamboo Foundation. The third thematic panel on Multistakeholder Convergence for a Healthy, Safe, and Climate-Resilient Society to be moderated by Glenn Roy V. Paraso, PhD, Member, National Panel of Technical Experts, Climate Change Commission, will include Mr. Camilo G. Gudmalin, Undersecretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development; Dr. Lyndon L. Lee Suy, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health; Mr. Albert A. Magalang, Chief, Climate Change Division DENR-EMB; and Ms. Maria Adelaida Mias-Cea, Regional Coordinator for Asia Pacific, UN Habitat Philippines. The fourth thematic panel on Leveraging Climate Ambition, Economic Opportunity, and Sustainability to be moderated by Mr. Leandro Buendia, Member, National Panel of Technical Experts, Climate Change Commission, will include Mr. Federico Abuan, Assistant Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment; Mr. Ramon San Pascual, Executive Director, Health Care Without Harm Asia; and Dr. Linda L. Milan, Former Director, World Health Organization. And the last thematic panel on Mobilizing Clean Energy, Finance, and Investment to be moderated by Atty. Pedro H. Maniego, Jr., Senior Advisor, Climate Change Commission, will include Mr. Jesus P. Posadas, Undersecretary, Department of Energy; Ms. Airene M. Robinson, Assistant Secretary, Department of Transportation; Mr. Lawrence S. Fernandez, Vice President, Meralco; Mr. Renato Redentor Constantino, Executive Director, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities; and Mr. Alexander Ablaza, Director, Blue Sky Energy Asia. Secretaries Emmanuel F. Piñol of Agriculture, Roy A. Cimatu of the Environment and Natural Resources, Francisco T. Duque III of Health, Ramon M. Lopez of Trade and Industry, and Alfonso G. Cusi of Energy, will deliver their respective leadership resolve and commitments to climate action. For registration, please visit our portal: http://1o5c.ph/

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board has approved the accreditation of the Land Bank of the Philippines as Direct Access Entity (DAE) of the GCF during its 21st Board Meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Manama, Bahrain. LANDBANK was one of 16 access entities granted accreditation during said meeting. LANDBANK now stands as the first DAE accredited by GCF in the Philippines and one of 75 DAEs worldwide. The GCF is an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreement, dedicated to supporting global efforts to respond to the challenge of climate change. It aims to help developing countries limit or reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate change by supporting programs and projects that promote a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate-resilient development, while taking into account the needs of developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. As a DAE, LANDBANK now has the mandate to ensure development, management, and delivery of program/project activities that are aligned with the objectives and target results of the GCF and the country’s national priorities, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), among others. It is responsible for managing a project from design to project evaluation and financial closure using the organization’s own systems, i.e., its procurement, environmental and social standards (E&S), audit and accounting procedures, among others. LANDBANK’s accreditation has been approved for: (i) category A environmental and social risk level; (ii) medium project size of up to US$250M, and (iii) specialization on project management, on lending/blending and grant mechanism. As DAE, the Bank can serve as instrument for channeling GCF resources to programs and projects related to sustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, transport, water, housing, tourism, health, among others, of the concerned national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperative, financing institutions, among others. Supported by the GCF Readiness Programme (GCFRP) of the Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) of the Federal Republic of Germany, LANDBANK was provided technical assistance by the World Resources Institute (WRI) on submitting its Stage 1 accreditation requirements and by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on responding to comments from the Accreditation Panel for Stages 1 and 2 of the accreditation process. UNDP also assisted Land Bank on the development of its project portfolio for GCF, a Concept Note and Project Preparation proposal which are aligned with the national priorities and frameworks, and the ongoing country programming process. UNEP, WRI and UNDP have managed GCFRP’s implementation activities with the National Designated Authority (NDA) for GCF – previously, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and currently, the Climate Change Commission (CCC).   LANDBANK recognizes its role in strengthening the country’s capacity to access climate finance sources for the achievement of our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Following its accreditation, Land Bank will be reinforcing its project portfolio and the scalability of projects that will be proposed to GCF, in partnership with the CCC, concerned agencies of the government and the private sector.

• Over 1,000 delegates meet in Manila to discuss adapting to the worst impacts of climate change • Recent global warming assessment predicts devastation to coastlines and crops across Asia-Pacific • Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum is the largest gathering of its kind in the region MANILA, PHILIPPINES — More than 1,000 scientists, government officials, representatives from civil society and businesses, as well as development partners from 60 countries are meeting this week at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Manila for the 6th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum to share and discuss urgent adaptation solutions to build resilience against the adverse impacts of climate change. The recently released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC paints a bleak picture of a future world riddled by climate impacts if drastic changes are not made to limit global warming to 1.5ºC. But even under this best-case scenario, the Asia and Pacific region faces significant devastation, from inundated coastlines to destructive droughts. Immediate action is needed to scale up efforts and build resilience to avoid severe effects on livelihoods, public health, and economies. “Adaptation ensures that we, as a people, are prepared and resilient enough to survive through the impacts of climate change with our culture and identity intact for generations to come,” said the President of Palau Mr. Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. in his message to the forum participants. “We need to find solutions to pave the road for a resilient society, economy, and ecosystem using platforms from Asia and the Pacific,” said Mr. Yasuo Takahashi, Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs of Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. The Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum is the flagship event of the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN) and gives delegates the opportunity to forge partnerships and share learnings from actions, cutting edge science, and practical solutions that will strengthen resilience. The forum also helps establish regional priorities and mobilize political support for the international climate conference (COP24) in Katowice, Poland in December 2018. “There is increasing prevalence of climate change and disaster risks in our cities and local communities. The poor and the marginalized are bound to suffer the most,” said Philippine Climate Change Commission Secretary Mr. Emmanuel M. De Guzman. “Reducing disaster risk and adapting to climate change is a pro-poor response. It liberates the poor from the vicious cycle of poverty and risk. It is social justice in action.” “Climate change, with its wide-ranging and largely adverse impacts, has emerged as a new threat to the continuing sustainable development of the region, with the potential to undermine five decades of progress,” said ADB Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development Mr. Bambang Susantono. “For ADB, to help achieve the development objectives of this region, investing in building resilience to climate and disaster risks has to be a new norm.” “Climate change resilience is imperative for the Asia-Pacific region. We have no choice but to adapt,” said UN Environment Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Ms. Dechen Tsering. “Fortunately, here in Asia, we have the tools and insight to do so. The APAN Forum builds partnerships to share this knowledge.” Co-hosted by the Government of Palau, the Philippine Climate Change Commission, and ADB, together with the APAN secretariat at UN Environment, the forum is the largest gathering of adaptation practitioners in the Asia and Pacific region. This year’s theme is “Enabling Resilience for All: Avoiding the Worst Impacts” and features interactive sessions, panel discussions, and knowledge exchange. FOLLOW APAN FORUM: Website: http://www.asiapacificadapt.net/adaptationforum2018/ #APAN2018 Flickr: APAN Streaming: https://www.youtube.com/user/Asiapacificadapt