CLIMATE ACTION. The Philippine delegation to the ongoing 58th Sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SB58) of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany. Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje reiterated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agenda to prioritize transformative climate action. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – The Philippines is committed to advancing the whole-of-nation and whole-of-world climate action under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje highlighted this in the ongoing 58th Sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SB58) of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany.
Speaking at the opening plenary on June 8, Borje underscored that “addressing climate change and its impacts are among the top priorities of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”
While rallying nations to deliver on climate commitments, the Philippines pointed out that under Marcos, the Philippines was involved in transformative climate action and putting “its money where its mouth is” through relevant programs and policies.
Borje cited the investments of the Marcos administration in the public sector.
“For this year alone, the government allocated USD8.2 billion, or almost 9 percent of our total national budget, for climate change adaptation and mitigation programs towards meeting our unconditional Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets,” he said.
The figure, based on data from the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET), is 60 percent higher than the previous year’s climate budget.
According to a news release on Tuesday, the CCC said the budget is the biggest allocation for climate change, signifying the country’s commitment to increasing domestic resources dedicated to climate action.
“Under the Marcos Administration, accelerating climate action and enhancing climate resilience have been more firmly embedded in our development agenda, which we project will lead to more flow of resources, including Means of Implementation,” Borje said.
The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for the 2023-2028 period devoted an entire chapter to climate change and disaster resiliency for the first time.
This pioneering chapter identifies key objectives for climate action, including increasing climate and disaster risk resilience of communities and institutions, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and enabling the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The Philippines reiterated the need to expand and enhance international cooperation in adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, climate finance and other means of implementation such as technology transfer and capacity development toward transformative climate action.
The CCET is the tool of the government to monitor, track and report the national and local budgets and investments on climate change adaptation and mitigation programs. (PNA)
