CCC seeks climate-resilient nation

The Climate Change Commission is rallying for the public to help the government in promoting a climate change-resilient Philippines with this year's observance of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week, which is set to begin on 19 November.

This year's observance of the climate consciousness week with the theme "Bayanihan Para sa Klima: Bagong Bansang Matatag" in the country, particularly aims to gather collective actions for climate commitments by encouraging the public to understand climate change and to take part in taking appropriate action.

This event will also serve as a reiteration of the country's dedication to international agreements on climate change adaptation.

The CCC calls for more scaled-up efforts across sectors to achieve the country's ambitious climate goals.

During the soft-launching of the event earlier this week, Secretary Robert E.A Borje, the CCC vice chair and executive director, called on the public to rally behind the government's efforts to provide people with sufficient knowledge and awareness about the impacts of climate change.

Proclamation No. 1667, dated 18 November 2008, designates the annual observance of the Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week every 19 November to 22, which targets "to raise awareness about global warming and climate change" through comprehensive public information and educational campaigns.

Borje said the proclamation also urges all government agencies, offices, and entities to collaborate with the private sector and liaise with the United Nations in conducting relevant activities during this week.

He said climate change "is no longer just a concept but a reality many people are living through."

"Thus it's important for us to mainstream climate change. It's one thing to hear about it but it's another to fully understand the phenomenon but its impacts and most importantly what we need to solve it," he added.

This year's observance highlights the CCC's program to boost climate change and global warming-responsive adaptation in the Philippines.

Marking the commencement of the CCC week, a tree-planting event is set to be conducted at the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed in Paete, Laguna on 19 November under the commission's Net Zero Challenge.

The NZC targets carbon offsetting through nature-based solutions and serves as the CCC's pioneering program to turn-key policy tools into tangible actions, further aiding in disaster risk reduction by stabilizing slopes and reducing the likelihood of landslides and flash floods.

The commission will also hold a Climate Investment Forum 2023 with the theme "Amplifying Action through Sustained Collaboration."

CCC explained that the forum aims to inform stakeholders about the country's climate change investment strategies aligned with national policies addressing climate change risks.

It will also showcase the government-led investments across vital sectors, combined with private sector initiatives, to foster a united approach for achieving an upper-middle income, low-carbon, climate-smart Philippines.

This will be followed by the conduct of "Accelerating Climate Action and Transformation for Local Communities Forum" which will as the best platform for the local government units to exchange information and best practices, as well as collaboratively develop climate change action plans.