The Climate Change Commission (CCC) is pushing for stronger global cooperation to ensure the implementation of a “meaningful and transformative” climate action.

This was after CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert Borje met with the incoming 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) president Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber in Bonn, Germany to discuss areas of cooperation for the advancement and acceleration of worldwide climate action for the global south.

In a statement on Thursday, the CCC said the meeting focused on critical pillars of mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, and means of implementation and support.

“To advance global climate action in view of national circumstances, Secretary Borje raised the importance of partnerships on technology development and transfer, finance and investments, capacity building, and other areas that may be explored including communication, education and awareness, and research and development projects,” the CCC said.

“Sharing the same vision, Secretary Borje and COP28 President Al Jaber are committed to work together towards a transformative, scaled-up and integrated South-South Cooperation, in the lead up to COP28 and even beyond,” it added.

The COP28 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be hosted by Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 this year.

The CCC hoped that the partnership with the UAE and other UNFCCC Parties will contribute to “stronger global cooperation towards meaningful and transformative climate action.”

“For the Philippines, the bilateral partnership presents new pathways of cooperation towards accelerated just transition and greenhouse gas emissions avoidance, and introduction of new and appropriate technology and innovation,” it said.

‘Investment-led, transformative’ climate actions

The CCC also vowed to advance enabling policies for the implementation of “investment-led and transformative” climate actions in the country.

During the high-level dialogue on financing climate action organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on June 23, CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera presented three major areas of collaboration, including the need to formulate and institutionalize “forward-looking, innovative, and transformative” climate policies that are anchored on the “best available science and indigenous and local knowledge”.

“Grounded on our joint efforts with national government agencies and other stakeholders, we are committed to advancing enabling policies for investment-led and transformative climate actions,” she said.

“The times call for a strong mechanism to mobilize resources, and formulate strategies, to be implemented at the pace and scale needed,” Herrera added.

Herrera also expressed her appreciation for the ADB’s sustained support for the Philippine government by mobilizing USD3.9 billion in climate finance between 2018 and 2022 under the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS).

She said the CCC is committed to sustained collaboration with the ADB, acknowledging that the financial institution’s support has been instrumental in the development of a comprehensive policy program that accelerates the formulation and implementation of the Philippine Nationally Determined Contribution, National Adaptation Plan, and Long-Term Strategy for greenhouse gas emission reduction pathways.

Herrera added that the ADB’s support has also facilitated flagship mitigation investments in low-carbon transport and key adaptation programs, particularly in flood risk management.

She called for support to enhance national and local governments’ access to resources to develop fit-for-purpose interventions, especially for adaptation.

She also urged the Philippines’ partners to develop common indicators for monitoring and evaluating climate change actions that will assess progress and unlock private sector investments.

Climate change as human rights issue

In a separate statement, CCC Commissioner Albert dela Cruz Sr. stressed the need for the immediate implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures to fight climate change, saying the phenomenon is not only an issue of environmental risks and crises but also a “human rights issue.”

Dela Cruz, citing the scientists’ warning, warned that humanity is approaching the limits of ‘survivability’ due to sweltering heat waves.

Based on United Nations’ data, over 828 million people faced hunger in 2021.

Studies have also projected that climate change will add up to more than 80 million more people at risk of hunger by the middle of this century.

“Our environment is slowly being destroyed. It is burning while our planet’s polar caps are melting. There will be massive flooding but our world is drying up, too. The truth is that our home is dying,” Dela Cruz said.

Dela Cruz reminded the public that each person has an important role in protecting and preserving the environment, adding that they may take advantage of the “most powerful technological tools” to address climate change. (PNA)