INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE 3: WATER FOR CLIMATE, RESILIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
UN 2023 Water Conference | 22-24 March 2023 | NYC

INTERVENTION STATEMENT

The Philippines is among the 32 countries with water stress levels between 25% to 70% which is higher than the global average of 13% in 2018 (FAO, 2018).

Climate change is likely to amplify and intensify the impacts of disasters with unprecedented effects on local economies, population, and the environment.

Rising temperature trends and shifting rainfall patterns, the combination of sea-level rise and land subsidence will increase the occurrence and magnitude of saltwater intrusion and alter the hydrology of aquatic systems. These will significantly reduce aquatic biodiversity and increase acidification that degrades coral reefs. Not only do these destroy nature-based measures against coastal flooding, erosion and consequent damages, but these also have tremendous effect on agricultural productivity and food security.

The Philippines urges that the UN Water Agenda adopts a Water-Sensitive Climate Risk and Adaptation Strategy that utilizes and manages water as a strategic adaptation and resilience asset. It is proposed that the UN Water Agenda takes a systems approach to risk and vulnerability of the water sector. A systematic and robust knowledge base is required to understand disaster risk drivers and their potential implications to attain water security and resiliency. Investments on providing suitable coping mechanisms, strengthening of forecasting and multi-hazard risk management, enhancing resiliency of water-related infrastructures, and building long-term plans and strategies for increased preparedness end effective response and to “build forward better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction should be put in place as essential elements of integrated water resources management.

The Philippines commits to enhance:

Data management by establishing an integrated geospatial water management database which will serve as critical data source for mapping and analyzing water resources and analysis for decision-making;

Nature-based and Adaptation measures on peatlands, wetlands, mangroves and freshwater ecosystems to protect natural buffers against flooding and extreme weather events, and improve carbon storage;

Policy reforms and technological innovations that promote rainwater harvesting and reusing wastewater for irrigation, industrial and municipal purposes and sustainable source of water, energy, nutrients and other recoverable materials;

Implementation of climate-smart agriculture that uses conservation techniques for increased soil moisture retention, reduce post-harvest losses and food wastes; and transform waste into a source of nutrients or biofuels/biogas;

Climate proofing of Masters plan for major river basins for flood management and construction of resilient water infrastructures and facilities including:
Water storage reservoirs for water supply and drought mitigation, or multi-purpose dams with flood control functions;

Proper flood drainage systems in irrigation service areas;

Flood control and coastal protection infrastructures such as flood walls, embankments, and detention.

Climate change may exacerbate water-related risks – but can also be used to shift climate actions to improve water security. The threat of increased climate-related vulnerabilities and risks provides an opportunity to improve economic water security through improvement in climate adaptation and resilience programs. ###