ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE. Senator Loren Legarda delivers a keynote address during the Asian Conference on Climate Change and Disaster Resilience (ACCCDR) at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City on Thursday (Aug. 10, 2023). ACCCDR is a platform for multi stakeholder dialogue to influence policy and practice on addressing climate change and disasters in Asia. (Photo from Asian Institute of Management)
MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Thursday challenged all stakeholders to work collectively, coherently, and conscientiously towards climate action and disaster resilience.
At the Asian Conference on Climate Change and Disaster Risk (ACCCDR) at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Legarda emphasized the critical role that Asian countries play in shaping the global response to these pressing issues.
Citing the recent scientific findings and reports, she highlighted the profound impact of human activities on global warming and the inadequacy of current policies and financial measures to address climate goals effectively.
"Resilience is relational. For us to survive and thrive in this era of uncertainties, we need to act beyond our silos. We need better coordination and collaboration,” Legarda said in her keynote address.
Legarda called for a holistic approach to resilience, emphasizing that cooperation, coordination and resource maximization across all sectors are crucial.
She stressed the need for governments, the private sector and civil society to adopt a transformative mindset in governance, accelerate decarbonization efforts, foster investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and revisit and strengthen environmental laws.
“We must take the path that leads towards resiliency and a low-carbon development – where our energy and transport systems run on renewable energy, where our oceans and forests sustain life above land and below water, and where our industries embrace a circular economy to influence sustainable ways of living in our societies,” she added.
Legarda cited the important role of agencies like the Climate Change Commission (CCC) in strengthening the capacities of local government units, and in establishing coordination mechanisms with different sectors to highlight the collaborative work in addressing the impacts of climate change.
She urged all stakeholders to "move and transform our nation and society from a state of fragility to one of agility.”
“We all need to work together for the climate; to secure the lives, livelihoods and the future of humankind. In Filipino, patuloy tayong magbayanihan para sa klima; para sa buhay, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan ng ating kapwa (Let us continue work together for climate; for life, livelihood and future of our neighbor),” she added.
The conference, which convened experts and advocates from across Asia and the Pacific, aimed to foster collaboration in addressing the challenges of climate change and disasters, particularly their intertwined impacts on vulnerable communities.
The ACCCDR is presented by Aboitiz Power in partnership with CCC, AIM, Now Corporation and EASD Environmental Consultancy.
With the theme “Building Bridges: Driving Collective Action for a Climate and Disaster Resilient Asia,” ACCCDR facilitates the exchange of knowledge, innovative solutions, and best practices among the government, private sector, academe, and non-government organizations, aiming to contribute to the development of a more resilient and sustainable Asian societies.
The event features plenary sessions on public-private partnership for resilient critical infrastructure and lifelines, nurturing resilience in the face of disasters and climate change for food and water security, and leading an inclusive and just climate governance for a climate-resilient society.
CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert Borje will deliver the Call to Action and Collaboration that will conclude the event.
Other esteemed speakers include Emmanuel Rubio, President and CEO of Aboitiz Power Corporation; Elirozz Carlie Labaria, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Climate Portfolio Coordinator for the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization; and Bruno Carrasco, Director-General of Asian Development Bank’s Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department. (PR)
