SEARCA, World Bank to hold seminar on climate actions to reduce losses in PH

Policy action and investments as well as the tools and instruments needed to substantially reduce damages caused by climate change will be discussed at the presentation of the World Bank’s Philippines Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) at the Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS) of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) today, February 16, 2023.

Hosted by SEARCA at its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, the seminar will be delivered by Dr. Stefano Pagiolo, World Bank Senior Environmental Economist, and by Dr. Souleymane Coulibaly, World Bank Lead Economist and Program Leader for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions Practice Group for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand.

The recommended policy actions and investments are intended to protect valuable infrastructure from typhoons and to make agriculture more resilient through climate-smart measures and could reduce these negative climate impacts by two-thirds.

The CCDR comprehensively analyzes how climate change will affect the country’s ability to meet its development goals and pursue green, resilient, and inclusive development. It provides an in-depth analysis of challenges and opportunities for climate-related actions in agriculture, water, energy, and transport.

Moreover, the CCDR has identified opportunities for climate action by both the public and private sectors and prioritizes the most urgent development challenges impacted by climate change in the Philippines.

“SEARCA is promoting the findings of the World Bank climate and development report to help increase awareness, encourage action, foster collaboration, and influence policy decisions related to climate change and sustainable development,” said SEARCA Director Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio.

He added that this is aligned with SEARCA’s priority focus on enhancing agricultural and rural development towards climate resilience.

Other speakers during the seminar are Dr. Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei; Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Professor and Dean, and Dr. Patricia Ann Sanchez, Professor, both of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) School of Environmental Science and Management; Dr. Rodel Lasco, Executive Director of the Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation, Inc.; Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, Professor Emeritus, UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources and SEARCA Senior Fellow; Dr. Gregorio; and Dr. Nur Azura Adam, SEARCA Deputy Director for Programs.

The event will be held at the SEARCA Umali Auditorium and livestreamed via Zoom and Facebook.