Volunteers from the local government of Paete, Laguna, state universities and colleges, civil society organizations and media planted a total of 400 seedlings of banaba, langka and acacia at the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed on 19 November as part of the observance of the 18th Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week.

The initiative of the Climate Change Commission, in partnership with the National Power Corporation and the municipal government of Paete, is known as Net Zero Challenge (NZC) and forms part of the CCC’s continuing efforts to strengthen carbon offsetting and climate resilience.

CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje said that in light of the recent typhoons, the important role of forest as protection against flooding and landslide is once more seen. 

Started in August 2023, NZC aims to plant more than 15,000 seedlings across 25 hectares of the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed by 2030 in alignment with the country’s commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.

The reforestation is expected to sequester an estimated 75.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide.