The Climate Change Commission (CCC) underscored the importance of nature-based solutions (NbS) in disaster risk prevention, reduction and management to prepare for extreme weather events brought by climate change and build a climate-resilient country. The CCC believes in the critical role of NbS and ridge to reef approach in managing climate risks and adapting to disasters. These solutions strengthen the livelihood of coastal communities, ensure food security, and enhance the protection for vulnerable communities, leading to a more sustainable and resilient future for the next generations. These solutions are vital to address ecological challenges such as climate change, disasters, food security, and climate resiliency. The solutions are anchored on the Philippine National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and draft National Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP), aligned with the guidelines set by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Key aspects of NbS and ridge to reef approach include protecting and restoring coral reefs, protecting peatlands, and growing and restoring forests. These actions sustainably manage and restore ecosystems that support in addressing planetary concerns. Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, Vice Chairperson and Executive Director of the CCC, explained that “Nature-based solutions are one of the easiest ways to maximize and utilize the roles of our forests, mangroves, and other natural resources in protecting and sustaining our communities. This step creates long-term benefits for future generations and addresses the urgent concerns of the planet.” Integrating these solutions helps our natural resources function more effectively in critical ways. Forests and peatlands serve as carbon sinks, storing carbon dioxide, reducing the average global temperature, and lessening the emissions of greenhouse gasses. Meanwhile, coral reefs play a vital role in protecting coastal communities by reducing the height and energy of waves during tropical cyclones. The CCC is committed to the pursuit of different strategies to address disaster risk prevention, reduction and management, by a variety of approaches such as nature-based solutions and ridge to reef approach aimed to enhance resilience and preparedness of the country. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
Mangroves provide a wide variety of services, not just to the environment, but also to people. Their submerged roots serve as a haven for a plethora of marine animals. Likewise, their trunks, leaves, and branches provide a home for tree-dwelling mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Furthermore, the closely knit roots of mangroves prevent coastal soil erosion just as their branches and leaves form a natural wind-barrier that protects coastal communities from strong gusts of winds, especially during storms. Apart from their capacity as natural barriers and biodiversity hubs, the most impeccable feature of mangroves is their ability to capture and store carbon. Like most plants, mangroves capture carbon from the atmosphere. What makes them special, however, is the fact that the sediments where they are usually located also have the capacity to act as carbon sinks. This makes mangroves effective in carbon sequestration, making them highly valuable assets in climate change mitigation. In the Philippines, mangroves are recognized as highly protected nature-based solutions to climate change. This prompted the development of several mechanisms aimed at the protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of Philippine mangrove systems, which includes legislations and key documents. Initial statistics estimate that the Philippines had 450,000 hectares of mangrove forests in 1920. By 1990, this decreased to 317,500 hectares and in most recent statistics it decreased further to 311,400 hectares. Despite the significant reduction of mangrove forest coverage over the past century, the Philippines remains home to numerous mangroves sites. Various areas across the country have become focal points for ongoing efforts to protect, preserve, and rehabilitate these vital ecosystems. Here are some of the key mangrove sites in the Philippines: Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands Courtesy of Protected Areas, Wildlife Conservation Zone and Management Services Pampanga / Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetland's Facebook Page Listed as one of the eight Ramsar sites in the Philippines, Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands is a hot spot for mangrove conservation. This 3,667-hectare mangrove and mudflats area is home to a bountiful number of animal species, including the Philippine duck that is endemic to the country, and serves as habitat for migratory birds. Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Center Courtesy of Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands The Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, also known as the Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Center, is a 181.63-hectare Ramsar Site that houses several wetlands which include a mangrove forest. It is located southwest of Metro Manila and Manila Bay. The center is open to the public and offers activities that aim to educate visitors about the importance of wetlands through immersion. Bakhawan Mangrove Eco-Park Courtesy of Urban Nature Atlas The Bakhawan Eco-Park is a 220-hectare mangrove forest in Kalibo, Aklan. This forest started as a reforestation project in 1990, which was jointly led by the local government of Aklan and the Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association. Today, the mangrove forest is recognized as one of the most successful reforestation projects in the country. Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area Courtesy of DENR-SCIS/East Asian-Australian Flyway Located along the 110 kilometers of coastline of Negros, the Negors Occidental Coastal Wetlands are among the eight Ramsar protected sites in the Philippines. It is home to three globally threatened marine turtles such as the hawksbill turtle, green turtle, and olive ridley turtle. Furthermore, it serves as a preferred destination for water bird species. The area is composed of different wetlands, which includes a stretch of mangroves. Pangasinan Mangrove Areas Courtesy of SeePangasinan Pangasinan province boasts 469 hectares of mangrove areas across 13 of its coastal municipalities. It also hosts a mangrove nursery spanning over 8.17 hectares. These mangrove forests serve as a center of biodiversity in Pangasinan and provide livelihoods to many of its coastal communities. Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Cebu Province Courtesy of love4aya/shutterstock Identified as another Ramsar site in the Philippines, Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary spans 1,030 hectares of sand flats and mangroves. Located on Olango’s southern shores, the sanctuary supports the largest concentration of migratory birds in the Philippines. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Courtesy of Klook Another Philippine Ramsar site, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Park connects a wide range of important ecosystems, including a limestone cave system, mangrove forests, lowland tropical forests, and freshwater swamps. The park is home to about 800 plant and animal species, making it a highly biodiverse area. Banacon Island Mangrove Forest, Bohol Courtesy of Radge Starr Stretching to 425 hectares of mangrove forest, the Banacon Island Mangrove Forest is an eco-tourist destination established through community efforts in 1957. It is located in northern Bohol province. The vast expanse of mangroves on the island provides a home to plenty of sea and tree dwelling animals. It is open to the public and can be toured via boats. These sites represent a fraction of the rich mangrove ecosystems found throughout the Philippines, each contributing uniquely to the nation's ecological and socio-economic well-being.They all play a crucial role in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration. This underscores the need for more robust initiatives and efforts from various stakeholders, including the government, local communities, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, to ensure the sustainable management and rehabilitation of the country's mangrove ecosystems.
MANILA, 22 July 2024 — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) lauded the actions outlined by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), delivered yesterday. President Marcos highlighted the pressing need for enhanced climate action and underscored the Philippines' proactive stance in advocating for climate responsibility and justice on a global scale. "As we can see in all the world, weather events are, as have been predicted, getting more extreme, such as torrential rains that instantly shift to scorching heat waves or vice versa," he stated. "Our country's geographical location makes us highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Precisely because of our inherent vulnerability, we are proactive advocates for heightened climate responsibility and justice on the global stage." President Marcos announced a significant achievement for the country on the global climate arena: securing a seat on the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) Board and being selected as host country to that fund. The LDF is an international financial mechanism designed to provide support to climate-vulnerable countries in their recovery efforts from climate change-related economic and non-economic loss and damage. The support is provided in the form of grants and concessional financing, which can be accessed by eligible countries. "This welcome development shall complement all our other climate adaptation and mitigation measures and give us a strong voice to access the needed financial assistance for climate-related initiatives and impacts," the President added. The LDF Board is responsible for establishing the Fund's direction, managing its operations, and developing its work program. It consists of 26 members representing parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, which includes the Philippines, 12 developed, and 13 other developing countries. The CCC welcomed the President's actions to enhance the country’s climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. “The CCC will ensure that the Philippines will remain at the forefront of global climate action. The President's support for climate-related initiatives is crucial to ensure a sustainable future for the Philippines and the rest of the world,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. The CCC expresses its full support for the President’s climate agenda and is dedicated to work closely with government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, and the private sector to implement the strategies outlined in the SONA. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
MANILA, JULY 15 – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) lauded Philippines’ selection as host of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) Board and cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership in the transformative climate agenda. The country was selected to host the LDF Board during the 2nd Loss and Damage meeting held at Songdo, South Korea on July 9, trumping other developing nations. “The unanimous decision by the LDF Board affirms the Philippines’ leadership - under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – in transformative climate action and demonstrates stakeholder confidence in the country’s commitment to constructively contribute towards global efforts to address climate change,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje. The LDF is an international financial mechanism designed to provide support to climate-vulnerable countries in their recovery efforts from climate change-related economic and non-economic loss and damage. The support is provided in the form of grants and concessional financing which can be accessed by eligible countries. Recognizing the vulnerability of the country to the impacts of climate change, President Marcos Jr. has prioritized strengthening the country’s measures to climate change. This covers his keen interest to secure a spot in the LDF Board, which prompted the establishment of a technical working group in March to prepare for the country’s bid submission. Led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippines’ bid offer was the fruit of collaboration among members of the interagency technical working group composed of the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Budget and Management, and the CCC. “The LDF is a vital step in mobilizing the much-needed support for nations most at risk to climate change to further bolster capacities to recover, rebuild, and transform better,” Borje added. The LDF Board is responsible for establishing the Fund's direction, managing its operations, and developing its work program. It consists of 26 members representing parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, which includes the Philippines, 12 developed and 13 other developing countries. The CCC remains steadfast in supporting the country’s efforts to strengthen its climate finance mechanisms. By providing technical and policy support to partner agencies, the Commission aims to enhance the country’s success rate in international negotiations to advance its climate agenda. For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.
MANILA 15 July 2024 — “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng Bayan” is among the many wisdom-filled invocations that our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, imparted to the Filipino people. As cliche as it sounds, this statement remains true in many aspects of modern Filipino society. It is especially relevant to the pressing societal challenges that grow beyond generations such as poverty, corruption, and climate change. While they are unjustly exposed to the horrifying impacts of climate change and bear the burden of confronting the accumulated effects of reckless and unsustainable practices from past generations, the youth are our hope or “pag-asa” against the changing climate and its devastating effects. There are currently around 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 in the world, making up 16 percent of the global population. In the Philippines, there are approximately 19.2 million Filipino youth aged 15 to 24, most of whom are either in schools or in the workforce. Even with their diverse background and generational differences, these young people have one thing in common – they are the rays of hope in our continuing effort to pursue and sustain transformative climate action. That is why we need to empower our youth to become stewards and advocates of our planet. Aside from providing them with the necessary skills and resources, we must enhance their critical thinking abilities for them to better examine data, analyze problems and develop innovative strategies. This approach, in turn, will equip and capacitate them and the coming generations to fully grasp and comprehend the science of climate change and implement effective solutions. With their intrinsic ability to utilize modern computer technology and a wide set of skills in various fields, including arts, science and communication, the youth hold immeasurable potential to yield good results in our venture toward a climate-resilient Philippines. They only need guidance in understanding the complexities of climate change and redirecting the use of their gifts toward climate action. Promoting sustainable practices within educational institutions and providing training programs in workplaces will make young Filipinos more prepared to combat climate change in their respective fields, specializations, and future careers. As digital natives, young people have the capacity to maximize technology to its fullest extent. They can use technology to propagate ecological awareness, starting in their own local communities. Likewise, skilled youth are well-positioned to introduce new technologies and systems that reduce our carbon emissions and promote sustainability. Moreover, young people have a very high affinity for creativity, especially when it comes to digital arts and communication. With support from the authorities and experienced individuals, these advantages become significant assets for the youth in communicating climate change, pollution, and the loss of biodiversity. This shows the great potential of youth in mainstreaming climate change. Regardless of the presence or absence of technology, however, the raw potential of the youth in contributing to our climate change efforts is as powerful as it can get. With sheer numbers alone, the youth can shake the landscape of climate change action. If every single young individual proactively participated in initiatives to save our beloved planet, the results would be more than impactful. By doing simple things like reducing, reusing, refusing, repurposing and recycling, and by educating others on climate change, the youth are already helping a lot. With proper knowledge, support, and training, the results will become even more immense. Beyond being victims, the youth are invaluable assets who will one day serve as leaders in our venture toward a climate-resilient and climate-smart world. Their skills and critical thinking abilities are necessary for our just transition to low-carbon and sustainable economies. With this, we should focus on enhancing youth education and training in green technologies, green entrepreneurship, and sustainable practices, creating green jobs and generating more employment where the youth can utilize their skills and maximize their ideas. Investing in the youth, particularly in empowering and giving them what they need to grow into fine climate warriors and leaders, extends past upholding responsibility. It is a long-term commitment and strategy that will determine how well we fare in the upcoming nightmares brought by climate change. -------- The World Youth Skills Day is commemorated every July 15. The celebration underscores the importance of youth empowerment in addressing various societal issues, including climate change through the development of critical thinking and the acquisition and application of modern skills.
