Climate Change Commission in the 18th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Manila. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has called for urgent delivery of global commitment on climate action, particularly the funding for climate-related loss and damage, at the 18th Meeting of the Warsaw International Mechanism Executive Committee (WIM EXCOM-18) in Manila.
Following the 27th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP-27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the WIM EXCOM convened on Feb. 28 to discuss the milestone decision on funding arrangements for loss and damage, the enabling mechanisms to fully operationalize the Santiago Network and the EXCOM’s second five-year rolling workplan.
CCC vice chair and executive director Robert Borje recognized the effort of the WIM based on the mandates from the UNFCCC and COP, and encouraged the EXCOM and observers to further fast-track the work on loss and damage agenda.
“There is still a lot of work ahead of us. We need to deliver on our mandates and our roles more urgently and collectively to transform developing countries’ vulnerabilities and loss and damage to greater climate resilience,” Borje said in a news release on Sunday.
He said it is important that the WIM EXCOM should further advance the gains achieved in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in terms of separate funding facility for loss and damage.
“The EXCOM is expected to provide input to the work of the Transitional Committee. This, to us, provides the Committee with the singular opportunity and the great responsibility to ensure the mainstreaming of action of support strategies under the second five-year rolling work plan adopted by the parties at COP27,” he added.
The WIM EXCOM welcomed the participation of observers in the meeting, in which the Philippines engaged actively.
Among the Philippines’ observations were on the work of the WIM with other UNFCCC constituted bodies and operating entities of the financial mechanisms, the EXCOM’s workplan, the comprehensive risk management approaches, and the facilitation and cooperation on action and support for developing countries.
In particular, the CCC highlighted the need for the best available science and best available technology to guide the work on averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.
“It is through the best available science and technology, governance, and investments that we can advance our transformation towards becoming climate-smart and climate-resilient nations,” Borje said.
CCC emphasized that state-of-the-art methodologies for comprehensive risk assessments is crucial as these will ensure that climate actions are science- and evidence-based and fit-for-purpose.
In this case, the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage must be immediately and fully operationalized.
Santiago Network aims to catalyze the provision of technical assistance, knowledge, and resources for developing countries, in addition to developed countries' commitments to action and support.
The Philippines, through the DENR, co-hosted the WIM EXCOM with the UNFCCC Secretariat.
DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga welcomed the members of the WIM EXCOM.
“We thank the UNFCCC Secretariat for holding the WIM EXCOM-18 in the Philippines, the first Executive Meeting outside Bonn (in Germany), and first meeting to discuss the COP27 breakthrough decision relating to funding arrangements responding to loss and damage,” Loyzaga said.
The Philippines has been actively engaged in the international discussion on loss and damage.
From informal consultations, negotiations, Pre-COP events, to the COP27 proper, the Philippines, with the Group of 77 and China, pushed for dedicated space to discuss funding arrangements for loss and damage -- now the COP27 breakthrough agreement.
In the lead up to COP28, the CCC is working on the formulation and updating of national positions on critical issues, including loss and damage, in coordination with Department of Foreign Affairs, DENR, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, Department of Finance, National Economic Development Authority, and relevant government agencies and stakeholders.
The COP28 will be hosted by Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.
For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl. (PNA)
