UN Climate Change High-Level Champion H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature at the “Accelerating Collaboration on Nature to Close the Climate Action Gap to 2030,” one of the activities conducted for Pre-COP28

MANILA, 10 November 2023 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration on nature-based solutions to address the climate action gap, at the Pre-COP28 event “Accelerating Collaboration on Nature to Close the Climate Action Gap to 2030” held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 
CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera stressed the importance of carbon sequestration as a fundamental aspect of nature’s climate role in reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. 

“Ecosystems, including forests and wetlands, act as vital carbon reservoirs that stock and sequester carbon. They also serve as buffers for storm surges made more dangerous by the rising sea level and as havens for the spawning of fish to ensure food security. By accounting for and valuing these ecosystem services, new financial flows may be generated from carbon and biodiversity credit systems that also manage climate risks locally and globally,” she said.

The Philippines is developing a geospatial database in support of a new system of natural capital accounting to recognize its real economic and social contributions to sustainable development. 

In the National Adaptation Plan, which provides a clear picture of our gaps and needs and the actions we need to take to minimize climate change losses and damage, scaling up of nature-based solutions is a key adaptation strategy. Measuring progress will require the use of standardized metrics and MRV systems for nature-based solutions, including robust scientific research, data transparency, and accessibility to assess the performance and impact of these solutions. 

“It is only by recognizing the interconnectedness of human, natural and engineered systems, that we can collectively drive transformative change and close the climate action gap by 2030,” Herrera concluded.

“Accelerating Collaboration on Nature to Close the Climate Action Gap to 2030,” a Pre-COP28 event, was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on 30-31 October and hosted by UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, H.E. Razan Al Mubarak who also serves as President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Philippine Delegation to the event is composed of Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary and Official Representative of the Chairperson to the CCC Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, and Commissioner Herrera.

For more information about the CCC’s mainstreaming activities, visit the website of the CCC at https://climate.gov.ph and https://niccdies.climate.gov.ph/.