CCC, Aboitiz seal pact for eLCCAP capbuild program to further enhance LGU grassroots resiliency

NPTE lays out action plans per climate risk identified

MANILA, 22 November 2022 –  The Climate Change Commission strengthened its partnership with the Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI) for implementation of the Commission’s capacity building program on the Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) Formulation.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje, Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz, David Jude L. Sta. Ana, AEV Senior Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer, and Maribeth L. Marasigan, AFI President and Chief Operating Officer.

The CCC, AEV and AFI will specifically collaborate on the following areas:

  • Coordinated implementation of climate-related research in aid of policy and decision making, and local climate change action, adaptation and mitigation. 
  • Systematic knowledge sharing and prompt provision of technical assistance to LGUs, communities, the private business sector, and other entities in key vulnerable areas.
  • Mainstreaming climate-smart and climate-resilient processes and undertakings to LGUs, communities, the private business sector, and other entities in key vulnerable areas. 
  • Coordinated implementation and collaboration with other key national government agencies (NGAs) identified to support the creation of climate smart resilient communities.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and AEV started the partnership in 2019 to implement the Communities for Resilience (CORE) Initiative, the CCC’s flagship capacity-building program.  

“We recognize the Climate Change Commission as a responsible policy-making institution that advocates environmental preservation, protection and climate change resilience across the country,” said Christopher Camba, First Vice President for Corporate External Relations at Aboitiz Group of Companies.

The Ceremonial Signing of the MOA was held on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, at Aboitiz Headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

The signing is also part of the activities for the 15th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week (CCC Week 2022) happening from 19-25 November 2022, with the theme, “Sama-samang Tumutugon sa Hamon ng Nagbabagong Klima.”

For more information about the Ceremonial Signing of MOA and other CCC Week 2022 activities, visit the CCC social media pages at @cccphl. ###

CCC’s National Panel of Technical Experts to hold forum on PH climate-induced risks

MANILA, 22 November 2022 — The Climate Change Commission’s (CCC) National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE) will conduct the 11th NPTE Forum, Wednesday, 23 November 2022 with a focused discussion on climate-induced risks for the Philippines and how the risks can be managed, minimized, or avoided.

This year’s NPTE Forum will stimulate discussions among national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and relevant stakeholders to address the gaps, and recommend concrete action points to address the various climate risks.

The forum will be led by NPTE members: Dr. Doracie Zoleta-Nantes (Chairperson), Dr. Eduardo Mangaoang (Co-Chair), Dr. Susan Mercado (Co-Chair), Dr. Emma Porio (Co-chair), Dr. Jihan Adil, Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, Dr. Zenaida Andrade, Dr. Wilfredo Campos, Dr. Gay Defiesta, Dr. Ramon Lorenzo Luis Guinto, Dr. Jimmy Masagca, Dr. Richard Muallil, Dr. Patricia Ann Sanchez, Engineer Meriam Santillan, Dr. Encarnacion Emilia Yap, and Dr. Maria Angela Zafra.

Discussions on the forum will focus on the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, overview of loss and damage scenario in the Philippines, and the 10 leading climate-induced risks identified by NPTE members: rising sea levels; coastal erosion; flooding; 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.

Started in 2017, the NPTE Forum encourages knowledge exchange  among members of the academe, local government units, youth, business and industry, civil society, gender- and faith-based groups, and the general public on climate change-related issues, policies, and practices through plenary presentations and open discussions.

The 11th NPTE Forum coincides with 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.

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 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. ###

Development partners reaffirm commitment to mobilize finance for climate action

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. ###