PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. is set to leave today for Dubai where he will attend the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The annual United Nations summit, which will be participated in by some 70,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries, is taking place as the world is poised to shatter another record for the hottest year in 2023, and as new reports confirm countries’ current climate pledges are not enough to avert the worst impacts of global warming.
The President said the Philippines is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and it must take the lead in pushing for the global aspiration that developed and developing countries should assist the most vulnerable communities to adapt to climate change.
“We will use this platform to rally the global community and call upon nations to honor their commitments, particularly in climate financing,” said Marcos who is among the speakers of the World Climate Action Summit during the COP28 that will run up to December 2.
The President’s visit to Dubai was on the invitation of United Arab Emirates Ambassador Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Al-Zaabi, who asked Marcos to attend the COP28 during a courtesy call in Malacañang in June this year.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Almojuela, in a briefing, said the COP28 is significant as it will review how far the world has gone in implementing the Paris Agreement, an international treaty forged at the COP21 in 2015, and which sets out to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
DAMAGE FUND
Almojuela said one of the priorities of the meeting is the setting up of the framework of the “loss and damage fund” that had been agreed upon during the COP27 in Egypt.
The fund aims to provide financial assistance to vulnerable developing countries grappling with the effects of climate change.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, who joined the briefing via Zoom from Dubai, said discussions on the fund are extremely important, given that “there are losses and damages that are beyond our ability to finance.”
Loyzaga said the fund will cover all financing needed, including those that can no longer be covered by adaptation finance, regular climate finance, and mitigation finance.
“This is beyond the capacity of countries… Therefore, developed countries and other sources such as private sources, perhaps, will be called upon to put their contributions into the loss and damage fund. It is extremely important that this becomes operationalized soonest, and that we are able to access it in a timely and locally-driven fashion,” she added.
The world-first climate damage fund is dedicated to helping countries that have already suffered irreparable damage from climate change impacts like drought, floods and rising sea levels.
Representatives from developed and developing countries have struck a tentative agreement on its design. All countries will review that deal and some could raise objections. That deal is not final until countries at COP28 approve it.
Gayane Gabrielyan, Armenia’s negotiator on the fund, told Reuters it is crucial the “loss and damage” fund agreement is approved now, ahead of elections next year in countries such as the US that could shatter the political consensus.
Another test is whether wealthy nations announce money for the fund at COP28 – to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. The EU and US have already said they will contribute and are pressuring countries like China and the UAE to follow.
“Speaking from previous experience, unfortunately most of the global agreements, most of the global climate related pledges went uncompleted,” said Najib Ahmed, National Consultant at Somalia’s Climate Ministry.
“But again, we cannot lose hope.”
TRANSITION
Almojuela said the COP28 would also focus on commitments to fast-track energy transition, deliver and enhance climate finance, and ensure resilient food system,
“Also, high on the agenda is fast tracking the energy transition, delivering and enhancing climate finance, and of course, resilient food systems. I believe that the President’s engagements will reflect the priority that the Philippines attaches to all these thematic agenda of the conference,” she said.
Almojuela said during the event, Marcos would attend the taking of the “family photo of heads of state,” and attend a plenary session to deliver the country’s national statement on climate change, the leaders’ session on transforming climate finance.
On the sidelines of the summit, the President will meet with the Filipino community in Dubai and attend at least a dozen bilateral meetings.
Almojuela said a “Philippine Pavilion” will be opened on December 1, where side events and presentations organized and participated in by Philippine agencies such as the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Science and Technology (DOST), Agriculture, and Health would be held.
FUNDS FOR LGUS
Marcos turned over to six local government units LGUs) some P541.44 million in People’s Survival Fund (PSF) for the implementation of climate change adaptation programs and projects.
Marcos said the PSF Board has approved P539.44 million for five climate change adaptation projects and another P2 million for a project development grant (PDG).
He said P271.15 million of the PSF was awarded to Mountain Province for its climate field school for farmers; P126.40 million to Maramag in Bukidnon for the installation of drainage and early warning systems; P117.96 million for Borongan City in Eastern Samar, installation of embankment infrastructure and reforestation for flood control projects; P21.28 million for Cabagan in Isabela, solar-powered irrigation systems; P2.64 for Catanauan in Quezon, mangrove rehabilitation project; and P2 million to Besao in Mountain Province for its Building Resiliency and Ensuring Food Security Project.
Marcos said the approval of the projects and turnover of the PSF is proof of the national government’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and climate resilience.
“This milestone not only reinforces our dedication to climate adaptation, but it also signifies that for the first time, in a remarkably short period, the PSF Board has approved projects of such magnitude. The PSF and the projects it funds will serve as a safeguard as we adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects. We can proudly say that the Philippines is a trailblazer in domestic climate finance for adaptation, showcasing our nation’s commitment to global environmental responsibility,” he added. — With Reuters
