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Women Experts Lead the Way in Climate Science
March 26, 2024 Tuesday

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) highlights the remarkable women members of its National Panel of Technical Experts (NPTE), which serves as the CCC's scientific backbone, providing crucial policy recommendations and technical guidance that have shaped the Commission's strategies over the years. Drawing from their collective knowledge and expertise in diverse fields, including geography, hazards studies, engineering and economics, the women of the NPTE advanced the understanding of climate change and significantly contributed to formulating policies for climate resilience and sustainable development. Comprising 10 out of 16 members, these women have played a vital role in steering the CCC towards creating evidence- and science-based policies, making them leaders of the Commission's climate initiatives. Meet the Women Members of the NPTE: Dr. Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes, NPTE Chairperson, specialist in geography and hazards studies; and President of Southern Luzon State University in Lucban, Quezon Province. Dr. Emma E.Porio, NPTE Co-Chairperson, expert in climate and disaster vulnerability and gender assessment; Professor Emeritus at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, School of Social Sciences of the Ateneo de Manila University; and leader of "Coastal Cities at Risk: Investing in Climate and Disaster Resilience in the Philippines (CCARPH)" project. Dr. Susan P. Mercado, NPTE Co-Chairperson, international public health and food security expert; former Undersecretary of the Department of Health; and currently the Director of the Food Systems and Resiliency Program at the Hawaii Public Health Institute, as well as Special Envoy of the President for Global Health Initiatives. Dr. Jihan H. Adil, environmental planning and engineering expert, specializing in wastewater and climate change; currently the National President of the Society of Environmental Engineers; and Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering, Western Mindanao State University. Dr. Zenaida L. Andrade, Chemical Engineer and Associate Professor, Program Coordinator of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban City. Dr. Gay D. Defiesta, specialist in natural resource and agricultural economics; and  Professor at the University of the Philippines Visayas. Dr. Patricia Ann J. Sanchez, licensed agricultural engineer specializing in disaster risk management and water resource assessment; currently serving as Associate Professor and Chair of the Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Water (ISCW) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Engr. Merriam M. Santillan, geodetic engineer and Dean of the College of Engineering and Geosciences at Caraga State University in Butuan City. Dr. Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap, post-harvest fisheries technology specialist; and Dean of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas. Dr. Maria Angela G. Zafra, expert in inclusive business models, sustainable finance, and gender inclusivity, serving as an adjunct faculty at the School of Business and Governance, Ateneo de Davao University; and executive director of the Strategia Development Research Institute. This diverse representation sends a strong message concerning gender equality in the field of science. With women forming a significant majority in the NPTE, it confronts the notion of science being predominantly male-driven, affirming that women play crucial roles as catalysts for innovation and progress. The CCC celebrates the achievements of these women experts while recognizing the need for continued efforts to promote gender equality in the field of science. As CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje stated, "We must work to dismantle barriers and create an environment where girls and women can thrive in science. Their participation and leadership is vital for building a more climate-resilient and sustainable future." The CCC recognizes the potential of women in science and urges the provision of the necessary support and encouragement for the next generation of female scientists. May the story of the NPTE stand as an inspiration for young girls to pursue their passion for science. Let us pave the way for a future where science serves as a powerful tool for positive change, driven by the brilliance and leadership of women. For more information about the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit the website of the CCC at https://climate.gov.ph and https://facebook.com/cccphl.

CCC, Office of Senator Legarda, AIM scholarship program to bolster women leadership in climate and disaster resilience
March 25, 2024 Monday

MANILA, 25 March 2024 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC), Office of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, and the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) seek to bolster women’s leadership in climate change and disaster resilience through Sustainable Leadership Learning for Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction (SLL-CDRR). Through the collaboration of CCC, Office of Senator Legarda and AIM, scholarships will be provided through the Executive Masters in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management (EMDRCM) program to 18 individuals, with at least half of the slots allotted for women. Recognizing the indispensable role of women in environmental stewardship and community resilience, the SLL-CDRR program promotes an inclusive approach to addressing climate challenges. The impact of disasters is felt disproportionately, with women bearing most of their brunt. For instance, Typhoon Odette in 2021 has affected approximately 4 million women and girls of reproductive age in 13 provinces, the United Nations Population Fund Philippines[1] estimates. Among them, an estimated 162,000 are pregnant, with 24,000 likely to experience complications. Furthermore, an estimated 470,000 women in affected areas lacked access to family planning information and services, exacerbating existing challenges such as gender-based violence. “Women in fragile areas often bear the brunt of climate change impacts. Their unique perspectives and experiences are indispensable in addressing these dimensions and ensuring equitable solutions,” Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda emphasized. While prioritizing women, the program welcomes a diverse range of qualified individuals, including: National government personnel focused on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM) and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) DRRM officers in local government units Leaders from indigenous groups Sustainability and inclusivity champions ”The SLL-CDRR program is a strategic investment in human capital, enabling the shift from fragility to agility and changing the climate change narrative from victim to victor. Through this, women, in particular, will no longer be seen as vulnerable; instead, they will be part of the story, actively contributing to the solutions to climate change,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. The SLL-CDRR Program will enable recipients to pursue specialization in CCAM and DRRM, aligning their scholastic outputs with the policy priorities of the CCC, including the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and the draft National Adaptation Plan (NAP). Successful candidates will be awarded a full scholarship covering program and tuition fees, with additional support for participation in required in-person campus activities. “With each scholar receiving this scholarship, we believe very firmly, we’re taking one step closer to the solution we’re seeking in terms of a future defined by resilience, sustainability, and resolve,” said Professor Jikyeong Kang, AIM President. The CCC, Senator Loren Legarda, and AIM expressed their commitment to the success of the SLL-CDRR Program and its potential to empower a new generation of leaders equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and community resilience.   [1] UNFPA Philippines calls for urgent donations for women and young girls affected by Typhoon Odette (Rai)

Keeping up with deforestations
March 21, 2024 Thursday

Since time immemorial, forests have been crucial for humanity’s survival and progress. They provide much of the oxygen needed for biological functions and offer fundamental resources for thriving, including food, clothing and shelter. However, decades of unsustainable activities in the name of progress have degraded many forests worldwide. The World Research Institute’s global forest review highlights a loss of approximately 4.1 million hectares (Mha) of forests in 2022, resulting in 2.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions. To put this into perspective, the lost forests could have absorbed and stored 2.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide which is equivalent to India’s annual emissions. Furthermore, according to the Global Forest Watch's latest data, a total of 459 million hectares of tree cover were lost globally from 2001 to 2022, resulting in a 12% decrease, which led  to the emission of 195 billion tons of C02. The primary causes identified are urbanization and commodity-driven deforestation, indicating that much of the forest loss was deliberate and not accidental. In the Philippines, a total of 1.42 million hectares of tree cover was lost from 2001 to 2022, representing a 7.6% decrease in our total tree cover of approximately 18.684 million hectares. This loss contributed to 848 metric tons of C02 emissions. Like most of the forests globally, a huge chunk of the forests we lost in the country is due to urbanization and commodity-driven deforestation. As of 2022 Philippine Forestry Statistics, it is estimated that the country has a total forest cover of 7.22 million hectares or 24.07% of the country’s land mass, which is “way below” the 17.8 million hectares worth of forest cover we had back in 1934. This showcases just how much of our forest we have lost over the years, and how serious of a threat deforestation is to the country. More than losing our capacity to absorb carbon and produce fresh air, deforestation presents other climate concerns as well such as loss of biodiversity. The Philippines is one of the 18 mega-biodiverse countries in the world, ranked third in marine biodiversity and host to over 25,000 endemic species. It is home to plants and animals representing 70% to 80% of the world's biodiversity, most of which live in our forests. However, deforestation disrupts habitats, leading to species displacement and endangerment. Deforestation also affects the water cycle, contributing to soil erosion, flooding and drought. When trees get cut down in preparation for clearing, they die along with their ability to absorb water through their roots, therefore affecting the water cycle in the soil of the surrounding areas. As a result, surrounding soil can no longer bear the weight of water when rain comes nor will there be any trees to release moisture and fresh air during dry seasons. Recognizing the importance of our forests to our well-being, the Philippines has committed to addressing the deforestation issue through robust policy initiatives, including the establishment of the Philippine Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation strategy (REDD Plus). Identified in it are strategies to protect the climate through Philippine forest and biodiversity conservation and protection. The REDD Plus strategy has become an invaluable part of the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan and the 2011 - 2028 National Climate Change Action Plan. More recently, the government has marked ecosystems and biodiversity as a priority sector in the 2011-2028 National Climate Change Action Plan, identifying the restoration of forest and deforested areas as a key strategy in addressing climate change. Furthermore, in the Nationally Distributed Contribution itself, increasing forest cover to improve our carbon sink capacity and reduce GHG emissions was emphasized. These base documents, as well as all the activities aimed at forest protection and restoration, encapsulate our aspirations and efforts to curb deforestation in the country. However, the government can only do so much. Beyond policies and their implementation, what our forest needs most is action from the people themselves. While the government plays a crucial role in coming up with mechanisms to restore and protect our forests, it is ultimately our responsibility as individuals, communities, and society to collectively act for the improvement and conservation of our forests. Which brings us to the question, what can we do for our forests? For starters, we can reduce our use of paper. According to Ribble Packaging,  a 45-foot tree with a diameter of 8 inches produces around 10,000 sheets of paper. Business Waste, a leading waste management company in the United Kingdom, says that the world produces more than 414 million metric tonnes of paper annually. This means that around 4 billion individual trees are being cut down every year to produce our supply of paper. Thus, by simply reducing our paper use, we are saving trees from being cut down. Planting more trees is another excellent initiative. With a global population currently reaching 7 billion, if each capable individual were to plant and nurture their own tree, it could result in a significant number of new trees, which are crucial in absorbing carbon dioxide and generating fresh air, making it beneficial for both humanity and our planet. Another way is to keep pollution away from our forests. Pollution could have a serious impact on both forest trees and the diverse animal and plant species that are living in them. Keeping our waste, may it be solid or liquid, is one good way to protect our forests. Anyone, regardless of age and status, can contribute to this cause through sustainable consumption practices, supporting eco-friendly projects, participating in reforestation activities, and advocating for pro-climate policies. By raising awareness, educating others, and fostering a culture of love for forests, we can combat deforestation and preserve our planet’s biodiversity. Addressing deforestation requires proactive measures from all stakeholders, from policy makers to individuals. By collectively taking action, we can mitigate the impacts of deforestation and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

PH underscores NAP as critical enabler to enhance adaptation action & support in developing nations
March 21, 2024 Thursday

21 March 2024, Manila, Philippines. The Philippines underscored that National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are critical enablers to enhance adaptation action and support, emphasizing further the need to strengthen collaboration and accelerate delivery of support for developing nations’ adaptation planning and implementation.  Following its 25th meeting, the Adaptation Committee of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) brought together countries and stakeholders in the Adaptation Forum 2024 to address opportunities for action and collaboration across the NAP process, promoting solutions towards achieving the global goal on adaptation.  Secretary Robert E.A. Borje of the Philippines’ Climate Change Commission, as a member of the Adaptation Committee, served as facilitator and rapporteur on the sessions regarding impact, vulnerability and risk assessment for NAPs, and adaptation planning.  Hearing from country representatives and stakeholders, Borjerecognized the urgent need for accelerated support in terms of finance, capacity, and technology, and emphasized enhanced collaboration and cooperation to enable developing countries and particularly vulnerable nations to formulate and implement their NAPs.  “National Adaptation Plans are critical baselines for individual and collective efforts of Parties. Towards the achievement of the global goal on adaptation and the new global climate resilience objectives, we must drive developing nations towards NAP formulation and implementation. In this case, support for the whole NAP process must be provided, with least to no conditionalities, and in the most urgent manner,” Borje said.  The NAP process includes risk assessment, planning and development, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning.  According to the NAP Central, 53 developing countries have submitted their NAPs, which accounts for only 25 percent of all developing country Parties under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.  Currently, the Philippines is in the course of finalizing its first NAP, developed based on a whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach, in collaboration with bilateral partners, government agencies and institutions, civil society and non-government organizations, private sector, and other stakeholders.  Primary challenges in NAP formulation are data availability and accessibility, data quality and quantity, and local capacity to analyze these towards determination of national priorities and strategies.  “We must make data and information more available and accessible, and ensure that developing nations are provided with the capacity to analyze data to determine fit-for-purpose adaptation measures. Support must be provided to enable developing nations to formulate NAPs with least domestic budget and resource implication as possible,” Borje said. Developed states must exert more and ramp up cooperation with and assistance for developing states to address key data challenges. In this regard, Annex 1 Parties must ensure that Means of Implementation are provided urgently.” he added.  While there are support windows such as through the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, and UN4NAPs, among others, participants stated that accessing these remains a challenge due to stringent procedures.  Consistent with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the Philippines actively participates in international climate change negotiation process, and has been calling for simplified and streamlined processes in accessing means of implementation and support, and need to further strengthen collaboration, such as through south-south, north-south, and triangular cooperation for both climate change adaptation and mitigation.   Under the leadership of the President, and consistent with the Philippine Development Plan, the Climate Change Commission (CCC), in coordination with relevant agencies and stakeholders,is finalizing the Philippines’ first NAP, outlining country’s priorities and strategies towards national climate resilience.  The Adaptation Forum 2024 was held in Bonn, Germany. This will be followed by the NAP Expo in Dhaka, Bangladesh where a series of knowledge-sharing activities and experts training on adaptation planning and implementation will take place.

PH urges collaboration, planning, financing & communication to scale and speed up adaptation for developing world
March 17, 2024 Sunday

17 March 2024, Bonn, Germany. Representing developing nations, the Philippines underscored the importance of collaboration, planning, financing, and strategic communication to enhance climate change adaptation action and support.  The Adaptation Committee of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held its 25th meeting to discuss adaptation and support in line with the global stocktake and the new global goal on adaptation framework.  Secretary Robert E.A. Borje of the Philippines' Climate Change Commission (CCC), serving as Committee member representing non-Annex I countries, actively participated in the discussion, sharing first-hand experiences of developing nations in climate change adaptation.  Borje pointed out the need for close collaboration among all adaptation actors at global, subnational, and national levels, ensuring alignment and coherence in adaptation work.  With only 51 National Adaptation Plan (NAP) submissions by developing countries as of the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), increased support for adaptation planning and implementation is a critical priority. “From adaptation planning to implementation, adequate means of implementation and support (MOIs) must be available and accessible for developing nations. To achieve this, strengthening collaboration among countries and stakeholders is crucial, towards  alignment and coherence in adaptation actions, and immediate delivery of MOIs by the developed world,” Borje said.  He added that the need to double adaptation finance from 2019 levels and the gaps in adaptation financing must be immediately addressed to support developing nations’ actions towards global climate resilience.  The Adaptation Gap Report 2023 of the UN Environment Programme estimated that investments of USD 387 billion are needed to close the gap on adaptation financing.  “With COP29 tagged as ‘Finance COP,’ we must take this opportunity to push for  increased adaptation financing to close these gaps and fully support formulation and implementation of NAPs,” Borje added.  For more holistic and inclusive adaptation action, Borje raised the importance of strategic communications in the Adaptation Committee’s approach.  “We must transition from communication strategy to strategic communications to address the need for urgent and transformative adaptation. We need to enhance our ways in communicating climate change and climate change adaptation in a way that would result in more holistic and inclusive climate action on the ground,” Borje said.  Anchored on the recently adopted outcomes of the first global stocktake, and the conclusion of the Glasgow-Sharm el-Sheikh Work Programme on the Global Goal on Adaptation, the UNFCCC constituted body now charts paths to enhance climate action and support, with a focus on particularly vulnerable and developing nations.  Immediate adaptation strategies include strengthening collaboration with UN and UNFCCC bodies, countries, and other stakeholders; providing support in NAP formulation and implementation; offering technical assistance in adaptation reporting, and monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL); and advancing strategic communications on adaptation.  The 25th meeting of the Adaptation Committee was held at the UN Campus in Bonn, Germany. Subsequent events include the 2024 Adaptation Forum from 18 to 19 March in Bonn, Germany, and the NAP Expo on 22 to 23 April in Dhaka, Bangladesh.  The Adaptation Committee is a constituted body under the UNFCCC tasked to provide guidance to the work of countries on climate change adaptation and resilience. The Philippines, through CCC Secretary Borje, serves as a member of the Adaptation Committee, following nomination and election by developing countries, and appointment in COP28 in Dubai, UAE. This is the first time a Filipino national sits on the Adaptation Committee in the latter’s 14-year history. As the lead agency on climate change, the CCC continues to further deepen and broaden Philippine engagement in the UNFCCC and other relevant and related fora to advance core national and developing world interests, consistent with the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.  Under the Marcos Administration, advancing climate resilience of the Philippines through climate change adaptation and mitigation remains a priority.  

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