Philippines calls for tangible measures to address climate crisis

The Philippines has called on countries to deliver on their commitments to address the climate crisis.

Speaking at the opening of the 58th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB58) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany, on Thursday, Climate Change Commission (CCC) Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert Borje said the Philippines suffered loss and damage amounting to $12 billion over the past decade due to climate change and disasters.

“As we build on the progress parties made in Sharm El-Sheikh, we believe in the real possibility that we will be able to transform COP27 decisions into actions with outputs and outcomes that are concrete, relevant, and appropriate, responsive to the vulnerable, developing nations’ needs and priorities, and based on the best available science and evidence,” said Borje, who heads the Philippine delegation.

He urged the involvement of civil society, indigenous peoples, local communities, women and girls, youth, the differently abled, and other stakeholders in developing holistic and multidimensional climate solutions.

The CCC said the Marcos administration has prioritized climate change as a critical national concern and vowed to embed climate resilience and accelerated climate action into its development agenda.

The Philippines allocated $8.2 billion, or 9% of its national budget, for climate change adaptation and mitigation programs this year.

“We have talked ourselves out these past years, and at times, we were driven to tears. It is time to act on our commitments and deliver what we said we would do—with the highest speed and on the largest scale possible,” Borje said.