UN climate report cites Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has cited the Philippines in its latest report on climate adaptation efforts instituted by different countries.

The report, released in time with the climate change conference in Poland, said the Philippines has put in place comprehensive adaptation legislation, including the law that established the Climate Change Commission to lead the development of policy and to coordinate, monitor and evaluate climate response.

It also cited the creation of the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, which sought to enhance coordination and coherence across government agencies with key roles in adaptation and mitigation.

“The 2010 National Framework Strategy on Climate Change provided a road-map for addressing climate change and led to the 2011 National Climate Change Action Plan, which seeks to implement short-, medium- and long-term actions in seven thematic areas, among them food security, water sufficiency and human security,” it said.

“The ultimate goal is to build the adaptive capacities of women and men in their communities and increase the resilience of vulnerable sectors and natural ecosystems to climate change,” it added.

While the action plan does not include quantified targets, UNEP said it includes expected outputs, outcomes and indicators.

“To ensure that adaptation and disaster risk reduction are mainstreamed and integrated into the country’s plans and programs at all levels, the Philippines plans to roll out science-based climate/disaster risk and vulnerability assessment processes as the basis for mainstreaming climate and disaster risk reduction,” it added.

The Philippines is among four countries whose adaptation programs were highlighted in the report. The others were Brazil, Burkina Faso and the Netherlands.

Climate Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman said the inclusion of Philippine policies in the report shows that the country is on the right track in addressing climate change issues.

“We take this as further encouragement that we are on the right track to saving more lives and livelihoods and building further resilience within our communities, which is what enabling adaptation really means for a climate-vulnerable developing country like ours,” he said.

“Through a whole-of-nation approach, the Philippines is constantly exploring new ways, guided by science and the practical knowledge of our communities, to find solutions towards ensuring that our people can truly be able to survive and thrive,” he added.