DENR steps up climate change programs

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) over the weekend said it will intensify the implementation of programs geared toward the reduction of carbon emissions and climate change mitigation to deal with extreme weather conditions and other impacts of global warming.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the issue of climate change is very important considering that the Philippines is among the countries most vulnerable to this global phenomenon, given the number of typhoons that hit the archipelago each year.

 â€œMitigating and adapting to climate change have long been inherent in the mandated functions of the DENR, more so since the country has been considered as one of the most vulnerable to its adverse effects,” Paje said last Saturday.

According to the 2013 Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines ranked fourth among more than 190 countries around the world that have suffered the most extreme weather events such as flooding and storms over the past 20 years.

Paje said the DENR has undertaken initiatives to reduce carbon emissions through reforestation and tree-planting projects as well as anti-air pollution programs.

The DENR hopes to meet its target to plant trees on some 300,000 hectares this year under the National Greening Program, which aims to cover some 1.5 million hectares with trees by 2016.

Paje said massive tree planting could lessen the impact of global warming due to carbon dioxide emissions.

“Reforestation reduces carbon emissions because trees absorb carbon dioxide, which is one of the major contributing elements to the greenhouse effect that causes climate change,” he explained.

The DENR secretary said they will also intensify the campaign to minimize air pollution by promoting the use of clean fuel and energy efficient products.

“We will continue to coordinate with local officials and the Land Transportation Office in curbing pollution from mobile sources by cracking down on smoke belchers,” he said.

The DENR had earlier set emissions standards for different types of vehicles, including motorcycles, to conform with European standards.

Paje reported that the Philippines has also successfully implemented clean development mechanism projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of environmentally sustainable fuel technologies.

“Our country is globally ranked 10th in terms of number of CMD projects, with 59 registered with the United Nations,” Paje said.