CCC joins Congress in push for 2030 climate goals

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) joined the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals in launching the three-day photo exhibit “The Clock is Ticking: SDG Action Now,” which highlights the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as central to the country’s national development agenda.

In his remarks, CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized that SDG 13, or Climate Action, underscores the urgency of addressing development gaps that continue to place communities at risk.

Borje said climate action goes beyond SDG 13, as it also catalyzes progress across the entire 2030 Agenda—supporting poverty reduction, food security, water access, ecosystem protection, and the development of resilient infrastructure and sustainable cities.

Rep. Jose Manuel Alba, chair of the House of Representatives’ Committee on SDGs, stressed that the goals must be treated as firm national commitments rather than abstract aspirations.

“The SDGs are not meant to be aspirational goals; they were meant to be commitments to timelines, budgets, and consequences,” Alba said.

The photo exhibit goes beyond traditional portrayals of adaptation and mitigation efforts. It presents the “Filipino qualities of discipline, cooperation, and resolve” in confronting climate and development challenges.

“Together, we must renew and reaffirm the commitment and resolve to advance climate action that is science-based, equitable, and grounded in the realities of daily life across our provinces and cities,” Borje said.

Borje also pointed to the Philippine Development Plan, the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) as key national frameworks for achieving low-carbon, climate-resilient development.

“These are not merely policy documents—they are guides for more coherent systems, better governance, and stronger protection for our people,” he said.

He further highlighted the legislature’s critical role in driving climate action in the final stretch toward 2030, calling for urgent and coordinated action over the next four years.

“Time is indeed ticking. But we are not bound by the clock. When we act together, urgency becomes momentum. And momentum can lead to lasting transformation,” Borje said.

The photo exhibit is on view at the North Wing Lobby of the House of Representatives in Quezon City from December 9 to 11, 2025.

The CCC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen collaboration with local governments, national agencies, civil society, the private sector, communities, and Congress to advance climate action that is science-based, equitable, and grounded in local realities.

Through these efforts, the Commission aims to bolster resilience, protect development gains, and build a sustainable future for all Filipinos.