Climate agency, civil society meet ahead of COP29

MANILA, Philippines — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) met with civil society organizations in a consultation dialogue to strengthen the Philippines’ stance in the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan today.

“Our goal is to ensure that every voice, especially from the most vulnerable communities, is represented and heard,” CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert Borje said.

Among those present during the consultation were Aksyon Klima, Oxfam, Reboot PH, Non-Timber Forest Products – Exchange Programme, Center for Energy, Ecology and Development, Asian Research Institute for Environmental Law, Ecowaste, Miriam College ESI and Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities.

Borje said that the country needs to ramp up efforts toward disaster risk readiness and preparedness amid the devastation of Typhoon Kristine in the Bicol region and Batangas.

UN Women national program officer Jonas Gregory Perez underscored the importance of integrating gender perspectives in climate policies.

“It’s essential to integrate gender into climate initiatives to raise widespread understanding and drive inclusive action,” Perez said.

Perez cited the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and children.

“Four out of five people displaced by the impacts of climate change are women and girls. And during extreme weather disasters, they are 14 times more likely to die than men, mostly due to limited access to information, limited resources, decision-making, and mobility,” he added.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga will lead the Philippine delegation to COP29.

She emphasized the importance of COP29 to help address financing gaps in climate action.