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/