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Climate Change Executive Brief by CCC
Climate Change Executive Brief by CCC
Climate change is a long-term alteration in the average weather patterns (i.e. temperature,
rainfall, extreme weather, etc.). Various studies have shown that global warming is caused by the
great concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, mainly results from human
activities.
o It has been successively warmer in each of the last three decades. 1983-2012 was
likely the warmest 30-year period in the last 1,400 years.
o Global temperatures are likely to rise by 0.3°C to 4.8°C by the end of century
o The oceans have acidified, having absorbed about 1/3 of the carbon dioxide thus
far emitted.
o The pre-industrial level of 1°C in 1850-1900 was breached in 2015 and 2016. It is
projected to reach up to 4°C by 2050, which has potentially devastating
consequences.
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UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC)
The collective political response began at the Rio Earth summit in 1992 and was ratified
by 197 countries. It aims to stabilize GHGs to mitigate dangerous man-made interference with
the climate system. The following is the timeline of Climate negotiations since the establishment
of the UNFCCC in 1994.
2001 The Marrakesh Accords were adopted at COP7, detailing the rules for
implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.
2007 At COP13, Parties agreed on Bali Road Map and the Ad Hoc Working Group on
Further Commitments
2010 Cancun Agreements were drafted at COP16, making the countries’ pledged on
emission reduction official.
2011 The Durban Platform for Enhanced action was drafted and accepted at COP17.
Governments recognized the need to draw up the blueprint for a fresh universal,
legal agreement to deal with climate change beyond 2020.
2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement was adopted by 195 nations at COP21.
The Philippines became a signatory of the Paris Agreement in April 22, 2017. As
a party, the Philippines is eligible to access climate finance for developing countries’
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climate actions to be mobilized by the developed countries at a rate of USD100 Billion
yearly until 2020 and more from 2025.
The financial support to developing countries comes as grants and not as loans, in
addition to any existing overseas development assistance. These grants are channeled
through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Fund (GEF), as
provided in the Paris Agreement
The 1.5°C Paris goal calls all countries into action. Intervention is enjoined in two
areas: adaptation and mitigation.
The IPCC Assessment Report determined that climate change will create new
poor between 2018 and 2100. Poverty breeds disaster vulnerability, and those who have
the least in life risk life the most. Indifference amounts to injustice. Adaptation,
mitigation, and risk reduction are moral imperatives and clearly social justice in action.
The PAGASA report foresees decrease in rainfall by 2020, and extreme rainfall by
year 2020 and 2050.
The 2016 Low Carbon Monitor Report projects that 98% of coral reefs in Southeast
Asia will die by 2050, and practically an extinction by end of the century if the global
warming trends continue. Maximum fish catch potential in the Philippine seas will
decrease by as much as 50% compared to 2001-2010 levels.
International Rice Research Institute reports that grain yield will be decreased by at
least 10% for each 1°C increase in growing-season minimum temperature in the dry
season.
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Three times higher sea level rise putting 60% of LGUs covering 64 coastal provinces,
822 municipalities, 25 major coastal cities. 13.6 Million Filipinos are expected to be
relocated.
High degree of water shortage by 2040. Philippines is ranked at #57 to be the most
likely to be water-stressed out of 167 countries.
Higher temperatures also triggers the surge of diseases such as dengue, malaria,
cholera, and typhoid, as the country already experienced in the past..
Natural hazards such as droughts, floods and storms kill more younger women than
men in general.
Forest fires have also started to occur more frequently and in greater magnitude, affecting
large areas of forest and biodiversity.
Sea surface temperatures continue to rise due to the oceans absorbing 91% of the excess
heat caused by GHG, consequently resulting in low oxygen levels and ocean
acidification. In the Philippines, coral bleaching was observed owing to rising ocean
temperatures.
For sea level rise, given the archipelagic structure of our country, the phenomenon
exposes coastal communities and their livelihoods to inundation and occasional tidal
flooding. In addition, sea level rise can also result in accelerated coastal erosion,
shoreline retreat, intensify storm surges, wetland flooding, saltwater intrusion, and loss of
habitat for fish, birds, and plants.
Urban areas are also expected to experience the impacts of increasing severity of
heatwaves, mean and heavy precipitation, downward wind of cities, runoff, and flooding.
Lastly, climate change can directly affect human health as extreme heat, polluted air, and
severe weather events and hazards may result in heat strokes, increased water and vector-
borne diseases, respiratory illnesses, and malnutrition.
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1997-1998 Severe El Niño drought
Damage: P8.46Billion damage
Through the years Congress have enacted special laws on environmental preservation,
which include the following:
Republic Act No. 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997
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Republic Act No. 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
Republic Act No. 9512 or the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008
In 2007, Administrative Order No. 171 created the Presidential Task Force on Climate
Change to ensure implementation of environmental laws, application of technological
solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change in the country in consonance with Paris
Agreement on adaptation and mitigation.
In 2009, Republic Act No. 9729 or the Climate Change Act was enacted creating the
Climate Change Commission. It developed the National Climate Change Action Plan that
outlines the agenda for climate change and mitigation for 2011-2028.
The NCCAP pursues the following strategic priorities, which has begun in different parts
of the country.
FOOD SECURITY : Negros Occidental. The Gulayan sa Bakod Program of the Eco-
Entrepreneurial Greens Communities, Inc. promotes community-based food gardening.
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Following its mandate under the law, the Climate Change Commission updates the
NCCAP to articulate the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDC), which will be submitted to UNFCCC. It provides for the roadmap on how
to transition towards a low carbon economy.
Additionally, the CCC has instigated the following activities to pursue its objectives
under its charter.
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