TEN years ago, countries worldwide made a promise: to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and try for 1.5 C, targeting a safer future for our planet and its people. But despite these commitments, the Earth continues to warm at an alarming rate.
Scientists warn that we are heading toward a 2.1 to 2.8 C increase by the year 2100. This urgent reality calls on all nations, including the Philippines, to intensify their efforts and submit bolder climate plans to close the gap between promises and actions.
For the Philippines, a country among the most vulnerable to climate change, the challenge is more pressing.
As a low-emitting nation that has historically contributed little to global greenhouse gases, our government has balanced climate action with the need for sustainable development.
Our first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targeted a 75-percent reduction in emissions by 2030, with most of the effort conditional on external support.
Now, with the third cycle of climate commitments approaching, our government has assembled a dedicated team, the NDC Technical Working Group, to craft a more ambitious plan for the upcoming 30th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP30) in Brazil.
While the process is ongoing, a recent study, “Enhancing Policy Coherence Toward Increased Ambition in the Philippines’ NDC,” provides insights and recommendations.
It was published by Parabukas at the time the Philippines was participating at the 62nd Sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, Germany.
The study brings together the perspectives of government, civil society and the private sector, highlighting the gaps and opportunities to raise our climate ambition.
Some voices advocate for a conservative approach, focusing on what we can achieve with our current capacity, resources and responsibilities.
Others urge us to push beyond these limits, tapping into our full potential to reduce emissions, regardless of external support.
Parabukas co-founder Atty. Niner Guiao said: “In this report, we saw important differences in how ambition is perceived across stakeholders. There is the lens of national development priorities and international equity, emphasizing the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. There are those that are more assertive, referring to our actual capacity to act, regardless of international support. Everyone agrees though that the current system can and must do more. We can raise our unconditional targets. Many active programs and policies with clear mitigation potential are not yet integrated into our national climate commitments.”
One of the study’s findings is the huge untapped potential in “blue carbon ecosystems”: mangroves, seagrass beds and other coastal habitats.
These natural systems can absorb large amounts of carbon and serve as buffer zones against storms and rising seas. The Philippines, with its rich coastal biodiversity, has opportunities to include these ecosystems in our climate strategies, benefitting both our environment and communities.
But the study, in highlighting the challenges, clears the way toward more meaningful climate action. Gaps in data, particularly in monitoring and measuring emissions, limit our ability to set concrete targets.
Institutional barriers like coordination within government agencies and with local government units (LGUs), and insufficient funding slow progress. Stakeholders, especially civil society organizations, face obstacles in participating actively in the planning and assessment stages.
Clear pathways
The good news is that the study points to clear pathways forward to make our climate commitments more inclusive and effective. Among its key recommendations are:
– Increasing our unconditional emission reduction commitments by incorporating the efforts of LGUs and private sector players.
– Using research and community-based data to craft more realistic, science-backed targets.
– Establishing clear timelines and institutional arrangements for regular assessment and updating our climate plans.
– Ensuring active participation of civil society in setting targets, identifying measures and monitoring progress.
– Aligning climate strategies with national plans, like economic development and environmental conservation programs.
For ordinary Filipinos, this means that our government is working toward stronger, clearer and more achievable climate goals involve not just the government but also local communities, businesses and civil society.
It means that our efforts, whether reforestation, renewable energy projects, or sustainable farming will be better coordinated and more impactful. It means that each Filipino can play a role by supporting local climate initiatives, using energy wisely, or advocating for policies that prioritize environmental sustainability.
Our climate commitments are not just written targets on paper; they are promises for a safer and resilient future. Through stronger policies, active participation and shared responsibility, the Philippines can move closer to these goals.
Together, we can turn our climate challenges into opportunities for innovation, growth and hope. Because when we act with purpose and unity, there’s no limit to what we can achieve: a greener, safer Philippines for ourselves and generations to come.
The author is the founder and chief strategic advisor of the Young Environmental Forum and a subject-matter expert at the Co-operative College of the Philippines. He completed a climate change and development course at the University of East Anglia (UK) and an executive program on sustainability leadership at Yale University (USA). You can email him at [email protected].
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