PH gov’t must step up, take commensurate climate action
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt – Youth, communities, and Greenpeace Philippines welcome the COP27 agreement to establish a Loss and Damage Finance Fund as an important foundation in building towards climate justice. The group stresses the need, however, for this development to be met with urgent and significant action locally.
“The agreement for a Loss and Damage Finance Fund marks a new dawn for climate justice. Governments have laid the cornerstone of a new and long-overdue fund to deliver vital support to vulnerable countries and communities who are already being devastated by the accelerating climate crisis,” said Yeb Saño, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Executive Director and Head of the Greenpeace delegation at COP27.
“Going forward in the discussions on the details of the Fund, we need to ensure that the countries and corporations most responsible for the climate crisis make the biggest contribution. This means new and additional finance for developing countries and climate vulnerable communities not just for loss and damage but also for adaptation and mitigation. Developed countries must make good on the existing US $100bn per year pledge to support low-income countries in delivering carbon-cutting policies and increasing resilience to climate impacts. They must also implement their commitment to at least double funding for adaptation,” Saño added.
Filipino youth and community leaders who were present at the UNFCCC COP 27 in Egypt highlighted how solidarity among frontline communities and developing countries most impacted by the climate crisis contributed to the successful establishment of the loss of damage fund, which is considered as a key win in the continuing action for climate justice.
“Sa mga bansa at komunidad na nakararanas na ng impacts, huwag nating kalimutan na ang loss and damage ay hindi lamang usapin ng kompensasyon o reparasyon. Ito rin ay paniningil ng accountability sa mga korporasyon at responsibilidad sa mga estado lalo na ng mga nasa Global North” (Countries already experiencing climate impacts must not forget that loss and damage is not just a matter of compensation or reparation. It’s also about holding corporations and nations–especially those in the Global North–accountable), said Derek Cabe, Community Organizer and Coordinator for the Nuclear and Coal-free Bataan Movement.
“After a long and difficult battle fought by CSOs and developing nations, this is a pivotal moment. But so long as countries refuse to phase out fossil fuels, real justice will not prevail. For now, this is the victory of the people; tomorrow, we will watch!,” said Jefferson Estela, Lead Convenor for the Youth Strike 4 Climate Philippines.
Greenpeace believes that the Philippine government must use this moment to strengthen their support for local communities by demanding accountability from the biggest climate-polluting nations and fossil fuel companies.
“This development on loss and damage is a huge milestone for Filipino communities, and it must not be put to waste. The Marcos Jr. administration should now follow through with the recommendations of the Final Report on the National Inquiry on Climate Change[1] issued by the Commission on Human Rights by ending our dependence on fossil fuels and by championing policies and laws to hold climate polluters liable and accountable for their destructive activities, as well as for harming Filipinos’ lives, livelihoods, health, property, and identity, among other damages from climate impacts,” said Virginia Benosa-Llorin, Greenpeace Campaigner.
Notes
Media Contact
Virginia Benosa-Llorin, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace Philippines
[email protected] | +63 917 822 8793
Johanna Fernandez, Communications & Digital Manager, Greenpeace Philippines
[email protected]g | +63 920 975 9844
Discussion
We appreciate so much the mission and advocacy of civil society groups and the GREENPEACE. your untiring efforts for climate change will encourage other groups to be part of the bandwagon to save mother earth from total destruction of human and environment.