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Combating Climate Crisis in The Philippines

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14 views

Combating Climate Crisis in The Philippines

Uploaded by

ngarcia2210952
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Combating Climate Crisis in the Philippines: A Scrutiny on the National Climate Change

Action Plan 2011-2028

Climate change is an irony that continues to persist. To further elaborate, this


predicament is extremely likely 95% caused by human activities and have contributed
substantially to the intensification of it through: greenhouse gas emissions and reflectivity
or absorption of the sun’s energy (US EPA, 2024). Humans--although not inherently built to
destroy--have needs, however the dilemma lies when such needs become corrupted by our
innate greed.

This critique, however, is written not to recriminate human activities on


environmental degradation. In fact, various actions are taken to help alleviate the effects
of climate change. It is affecting every country on every continent, disrupting national
economies, and affecting lives. Climate change is a global challenge that goes beyond
national borders. The focal point of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the plans
set forth by the national government, scrutinizing its remedy in sustaining physical
resources; renewable, and non-renewable.

The Philippines, though a minor contributor of global CO2 emissions as compared


with other surveyed countries all over the globe, it ranked 17th as the most affected
country from extreme weather events in the Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) 202. Being an
inconsequential emitter of greenhouse gases, the country formulated a framework tailored
on strategies and actions towards adaptation and mitigation. The country accentuated
adaptation as necessary to support the advocacy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a
mechanism to manage risks and manage economic activity to improve versatility anchored
to national development.

Consequently, the country passed Republic Act 9729, also known as the Climate
Change Act of 2009, to address the exigent problem on climate change in the country. The
mandate established a Climate Change Commission tasked to coordinate, monitor, and
evaluate the plans of the government in addressing the crisis. The CCC stipulated steps to
combat the pressing issue on climate change through the adoption of NFSCC. In 2010, the
National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) was formulated outlining a category of its
priorities; food security, water sufficiency, ecological and environmental stability, human
security, climate-friendly industries and services, sustainable energy, and knowledge and
capacity development. This analysis classifies the plans that support the sustainability of
national resources.

Water, air, and food are the most integral natural resources to the populace.
Resources such as land, water, plants, minerals, animals, wind, and sunlight are harnessed
for the production of goods, primarily manufactured for human life preservation.

Sustainability of Physical Resources. Unprecedented disasters such as strong typhoons


greatly disrupt the production of food. In response, adaptive measures are set forth to
recuperate the damages on agricultural sector such as the enhancement on CC resilience
of agriculture and fisheries production. One is through incorporating climate knowledge to
the farmers, however in a study conducted by University of the Philippines Los Banos
(UPLB) on 2014 in Dumangas, Iloilo, Philippines, 93% of respondents have at least one
source of weather/climate information and 7% respondents do not monitor the weather
regularly due to lack of access to popular sources of climate information such as the radio
or television. These respondents either do not have electricity or television or radio. The
most common sources of climate information among farmers are television (79%) and radio
(39%). However, traversed only within the sphere of food security in a certain community,
situation alike is also happening in other parts of the country. Which implies that
enhancing climate knowledge may help alleviate the impact of climate change but not
drastically adapt to it.

On the problem of water scarcity, which is already prevalent all throughout the
country, the inability to respond to the dilemma is deep-rooted in the uncollaborative and
weak supervision on water management. To remedy the problem, the plan strategies for
enhancing ecosystem resilience and management include conducting a nationwide
assessment of ecosystem vulnerability and risk, implementing mitigation and adaptation
strategies, executing the National REDD Plus Strategy, establishing ecotowns with gender-
sensitive financing mechanisms, enhancing knowledge and capacity for integrated
ecosystem-based management, and reviewing policies related to Philippine Economic-
Environmental and Natural Resources Accounting. Access to clean and safe water is a
fundamental human right. In a documentary by the Water Planet Foundation, on UN and
UNICEF data, 53% of households lack access to a safely managed water supply and 39% lack
safe sanitation. The situation in schools especially on IP communities is even more serious,
with 55% of schools lacking access to a safely managed water supply and 26% lacking safe
sanitation. Several provinces have also experienced drought despite the building of water
pumps on various areas in the country.

While economic growth improves the quality of life of the Filipinos, however green
growth should be above the goal, it is a relevant approach to sustainable economic growth
for the country to battle poverty, achieve social progress and to mitigate the impact of
climate change. The proposed measures are set forth to advance climate-smart industries
and services in the Philippines. This will involve establishing a comprehensive policy,
incentive for eco-efficient business operations, enforcing environmental laws, knowledge
resources and training programs on greenhouse gas emissions inventory and carbon
footprint, waste management, climate-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable rural
livelihoods.

Energy is widely used in several economic sectors: residential, commercial,


transportation, and industrial. The Philippines, like any other country, is confronted with a
persisting menace, the struggle of developing sustainable clean energy while consistently
being leveraged. The NCCAP aim to improve energy efficiency and advance sustainable
energy initiatives in the Philippines such as enforcing AO 110 and AO 126 to institutionalize
the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), formulating a national renewable
energy (RE) program, and evaluating energy and transport infrastructures for climate
change risks. In addition, a clean fleet program will be executed, and funding for poverty
reduction and conservation. An update regarding the energy conservation, the Philippines
has generated an impressive increase in electricity savings of 132.11 megawatts (MW). This
year’s electricity savings were recorded at 73.86 MW from Luzon, 53.30 MW from Visayas,
and 4.95 MW from Mindanao (DOE, 2024).

Furthermore, as part of the Clean Air Act, the country has launched a program to
promote cleaner fuel in the transportation sector. This initiative focuses on actions such as
eliminating lead in gasoline and advocating for alternative fuels like liquefied petroleum
gas and biofuel. The NCCAP has identified two main priorities in forging ahead the
Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST): integrating sustainable transport strategies
and fuel conservation measures into development plans and creating innovative financing
methods. These efforts aim to improve transport sustainability and mitigate the impacts of
climate change in the Philippines.

Additionally, the NCCAP also emphasizes knowledge and capacity development to


address climate change challenges. Key priorities include understanding climate science,
enhancing capacity for adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction, and
establishing gender-responsive climate change knowledge accessible at national and local
levels. The plan aims to equip communities with the necessary knowledge and skills to
address climate change impacts, promote resilience, and support sustainable
development.

Implementation of the NCCAP is observed on two aspects: national and local


implementation mechanisms, and financing. The plan formulated an ecotown framework
that ensures resiliency among communities and local economy. It aims to boost and assist
vulnerable populations through climate and adaptation financing. Implementation is
followed by monitoring and evaluation the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of the set
forth plans. Scrutinization relies on empirical evidence, as of 2024, various plans are set
forth, but development is a long shot. The implementation of NCCAP is tailored to the
needs of the country, economic growth but with sustainable plans.

On layman’s understanding, climate change is the defining issue of our time, and
we are at a defining moment. Its aggravation signifies the cry for help of the planet.
Battling against it is an irony, for exploitative human activities as its foremost benefactor.
Humans, although not inherently evil, are destructive in nature. Regardless, humans are
given the gift to tend to their self-induced dilemmas. But it’s important to note that some
of the solutions to climate change could potentially be disastrous themselves as well.
Climate change is a pressing issue that requires sustainable solutions. The implications of
it are baneful but not irreversible, just with collaborative effort of the concerned ones,
the planet can recuperate. Overall, the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP)
represents a strategic framework devised by the Philippine government to confront the
challenges posed by climate change and foster sustainable practices. Nevertheless, there
exist discernible areas necessitating improvement, including the augmentation of
stakeholder engagement, rectification of implementation gaps, and procurement of
essential resources.

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