Senator Urges Stronger Climate Resilience Policies for Philippines

Senator Loren B. Legarda on Thursday urged the Philippine government to implement stronger climate resilience and long-term disaster preparedness policies, emphasizing the need for proactive measures as climate change impacts intensify. In a statement, Ms. Legarda called on the government to enact four key legal reforms addressing climate change. These include identifying climate vulnerability through science-based instruments, expediting emergency funds with strong climate finance laws, supporting climate action in local government units, and accelerating low-carbon development. To ensure these reforms are permanently implemented, Ms. Legarda stated her continued advocacy for climate action bills she has filed in the Senate. Two such bills are pending Senate approval: Senate Bill (SB) No. 166, the Low Carbon Economy Act, which establishes a carbon emissions trading system to meet national climate targets; and SB No. 306, the Philippine Circular Economy Promotion Act, which creates a framework for resource utilization, repair, and recycling to eliminate waste. Ms. Legarda highlighted warnings from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that global warming is projected to exceed 1.5°C, underscoring the urgency of proactive climate change measures. "Although the Philippines contributes only about 0.51% to global greenhouse gas emissions, the country is among those severely experiencing the damages caused by climate change," she said. This call for enhanced policies comes as the Philippines, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions, remains highly vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change, including extreme weather events. The senator's proposed reforms aim to bolster national resilience through legislative action, with a particular focus on empowering local government units and fostering sustainable, low-carbon economic growth.