A Government Perspective by Sec. Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines

Thank you for the opportunity to present some insights to Dr. Thomas’ presentation from the perspective of the Government of the Philippines.

The risk landscape is indeed changing due to climate change. There is the uncertainty and complexity that we have to factor in our decision making. Coming from the perspective of the ENR sector, we see climate change as a systemic risk. The aggravating impact of climate change on the environment is a profound challenge to be addressed considering the interactions among systems – climate, ecosystems and humans. The feedbacks and dependencies among this couples systems of climate; ecosystems, including biodiversity; and human actions form the basis of emerging risks from climate change, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss that should be key pivot points to stimulating decisive governance.

For the Philippines, we see the science of attribution among the gaps in the discussions on climate change in the international community. This needs to be covered or established under the Loss and Damage Mechanism or one of the task forces with Philippine climate scientists involved.

We need to recognize that risks start locally, and understand the intersectionality and differentiated vulnerabilities of sectors. Ecosystems, due their complex and dynamic nature, have varied levels of threats, vulnerabilities and exposures to hazards. Therefore, the approach to environment and natural resources management must be risk-based. An integrated natural resource management is also crucial because resource management is multi-objective and comprises many stakeholders with conflicting needs and interests. An integrated program must be able to address priorities on biodiversity, GHG accounting and disaster risk reduction, among others.

Dr. Thomas has underscored in his presentation the urgency of building climate resilience. In the same way, the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 recognizes the need for collective and accelerated action to mitigate climate change, and strengthen resilience to disasters while delivering on social and economic transformation goals. While adaptation remains the country’s priority climate action, mitigation will be pursued given its environmental co-benefits, especially in biodiversity, and contribution to green economic transformation.

The DENR, for one, will establish areas for carbon offsetting and encourage support for relevant initiatives such as efforts to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation [REDD+], rehabilitation and conservation of blue carbon resources ecosystems, and intensified, granular geospatial carbon accounting. Other possible entry points for partners to support, as identified in the Philippine Development Plan, include capacity development on sustainability or ESG reporting, conduct of carrying capacity assessments, developing biodiversity-friendly enterprises and ecotourism sites, investments for forestry and marine-based industries and enterprises, integrating sustainable land management in local plans and policies, and integrating indigenous knowledge systems and practices in managing ecosystems.

The government recognizes the private sector as the country’s main engine of economic growth and transformation and promotes its engagement in climate change mitigation and adaptation. We will leverage private sector investments in green technologies and circular business models that generate green jobs. The crucial role of the private sector cannot be overemphasized and we welcome partnerships with businesses that work on resilience building at regional and global levels.

In its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2021, the Philippines commits to reduce and avoid 75 percent of its projected GHG emissions against the business-as-usual scenario. On our part, the DENR is exploring partnerships to address corresponding financing, technology, and capacity development needs to operationalize the NDC policies and measures in the priority sectors of energy, industrial process and product use, waste and transport including emissions monitoring, circular waste-reduction economy, renewable energy deployment, and carbon trading, among others. Just recently, we received technical assistance from ADB supporting a review and the formulation of environmental clearance guidelines on offshore/onshore solar and wind energy. We will pursue a just transition to a green economy, mindful of the challenges and costs but aiming to maximize social and economic opportunities.

As Chair of the Cabinet Cluster of Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction, DENR undertakes increased measures on the conservation and protection of the environment and natural resources while integrating climate change and disaster risk reduction. We have adopted a Roadmap with the overall goal of achieving climate and disaster-resilient communities supporting equitable and sustainable development through increased adaptive capacities of vulnerable communities, and ensured adequate supply of clean air, water, and other natural resources. The DENR has also been designated by the President as chair of the Climate Change Commission. We will be rationalizing all our efforts towards accelerated action to deliver on the commitments of the Climate Change Commission that are long overdue such as the GHG inventory, National Adaptation Plan, NDC operationalization, and local climate change adaptation plans, which many of our local governments still do not have.

My last point would be on bouncing forward. We truly cannot bounce back better without focusing on the most vulnerable – the populations living at subsistence. Our risk reduction or adaptation measures to support them should result in the capacity to create capital, which will low them to address the vulnerabilities they were previously in, and move out of poverty and become resilient.