CCC calls for urgent delivery of commitment on climate action & funding for loss and damage

The Climate Change Commission PH (CCC) called for urgent delivery of global commitment on climate action, particularly the funding for climate-related loss and damage, at the 18th Meeting of the Warsaw International Mechanism Executive Committee (WIM EXCOM-18) in Manila.

Following the 27th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP-27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the WIM EXCOM convened to discuss the milestone decision on funding arrangements for loss and damage, the enabling mechanisms to fully operationalize the Santiago Network, and the EXCOM’s second five-year rolling workplan.

CCC Vice Chair and Executive Director (VCED) Robert E.A. Borje recognized the effort of the WIM based on the mandates from the UNFCCC and COP, and encouraged the EXCOM and observers to further fast-track the work on loss and damage agenda.

“There is still a lot of work ahead of us; we need to deliver on our mandates and our roles more urgently and collectively to transform developing countries’ vulnerabilities and loss and damage to greater climate resilience,” said VCED Borje.

He added, “it is important that this WIM EXCOM should further advance the gains achieved in Sharm el-Sheikh in terms of separate funding facility for loss and damage. The EXCOM is expected to provide input to the work of the Transitional Committee. This, to us, provides the Committee with the singular opportunity and the great responsibility to ensure the mainstreaming of action of support strategies under the second 5-year rolling work plan adopted by the parties at COP27.”

The WIM EXCOM welcomed the participation of observers in the meeting, which the Philippines engaged actively.

Among the Philippines’ observations were on the work of the WIM with other UNFCCC constituted bodies and operating entities of the financial mechanisms, the EXCOM’s workplan, the comprehensive risk management approaches, and the facilitation and cooperation on action and support for developing countries.

In particular, the CCC highlighted the need for best available science and best available technology to guide the work on averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage.

“It is through the best available science and technology, governance, and investments that we can advance our transformation towards becoming climate-smart and climate-resilient nations,” VCED Borje stressed.

CCC also emphasized that use of state-of-the-art methodologies for comprehensive risk assessments is crucial as these assessments will ensure that climate actions are science- and evidence-based and fit-for-purpose.

In this case, the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage must be immediately and fully operationalized. Santiago Network aims to catalyze the provision of technical assistance, knowledge, and resources for developing countries, in addition to developed countries commitments on action and support.

The Philippines, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), co-hosted the WIM EXCOM with the UNFCCC Secretariat.

DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, official representative of the President in the CCC, welcomed the members of the WIM EXCOM in the Philippines.

“We thank the UNFCCC Secretariat for holding the WIM EXCOM-18 in the Philippines, the first Executive Meeting outside Bonn, and first meeting to discuss the COP27 breakthrough decision relating to funding arrangements responding to loss and damage,” said DENR Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga.

Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga was joined by CCC VCED Borje and Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera.

The Philippines has been actively engaged in the international discussion on loss and damage.

From informal consultations, negotiations, Pre-COP events, to the COP27 proper, the Philippines, with the Group of 77 and China, pushed for dedicated space to discuss funding arrangements for loss and damage – now the COP27 breakthrough agreement.

In the lead up to COP28, the CCC, in coordination with DFA, DENR, DOE, DA, DOF, NEDA and relevant government agencies and stakeholders, is working on the formulation and updating of national positions on critical issues, including on loss and damage.

The COP28 will take place on 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

For more information, visit http://www.climate.gov.ph and Climate Change Commission PH.