“Now that the bill is filed, Congress must treat the CLIMA Bill as a priority. Once passed, this law can deliver climate justice for communities, as well as change corporate behavior so that businesses align with the goals of the Paris Agreement,” said Virginia Benosa-Llorin, senior climate campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines.” The leadership of the 20th Congress should show that this Congress has what it takes to hold polluters accountable for the damage they have caused, compensate communities for their climate-related losses and damages, and uphold the rights of Filipinos to thrive.”<\/p>\n\n Rep. Benitez, who delivered a privilege speech before Congress prior to the bill\u2019s filing, drew links between corruption in flood-control projects and the broader climate crisis, calling on the government to take it further and go after the oil and gas giants.<\/p>\n\n \u201cGreed in all forms is our enemy,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is our duty to fight it. It is high time we ensure that those who have profited from the destruction of our climate are held accountable. And as legislators, I urge all of you to support the passage of the Climate Accountability Act or the CLIMA Act.\u201d <\/p>\n\n The International Court of Justice released an advisory opinion2<\/sup> in July on the obligations of states with respect to climate change that can pave the way for Filipino communities to seek reparations from the world\u2019s biggest climate polluters. The World Court\u2019s decision obligates states to regulate businesses on the harm caused by their emissions regardless of where the harm takes place. In passing the Climate Accountability Bill, Congress would align the Philippines with the World Court\u2019s ruling, while setting an example for other nations.<\/p>\n\n \u201cAcross the world, climate litigation is gaining momentum. International negotiations secure voluntary commitments from world leaders, but climate accountability will force carbon-intensive industries to do their share to curb their emissions. CLIMA also ushers in a robust due diligence framework, which gives companies concrete steps to address the climate crisis,\u201d said Atty Mai Taqueban, Executive Director of the Legal Rights And Natural Resources Center (LRC).<\/p>\n\n For years, communities have been demanding justice as they face multiple disasters supercharged by climate change. According to Ryan De Vera, a community leader from Brgy. Tumana, Marikina\u2014a city that has been under constant threat of dangerous floods for decades\u2014a law that holds corporations accountable is long overdue.<\/p>\n\n \u201cFilipinos have little to do with causing climate change, however, we are the ones suffering the most,\u201d Ryan said. \u201cWe know that it is the global north that has been polluting the climate for centuries, these rich nations and the giant oil corporations they protect.\u201d <\/p>\n\n Grassroots and civil society groups, as well as the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC)-Victims of Disasters and Calamities Sectoral Council (VDC-SC) and the NCR Regional Basic Sectors Coordinating Council (RBSCC) have likewise thrown their support behind the bill. <\/p>\n\n \u201cVulnerable sectors will be hit the hardest by the climate crisis,\u201d said Ose Aquino, NAPC VDC Council Member for NCR. \u201cClimate change exposures compounded by human-induced risks threaten the lives and livelihoods of poor communities who often live in harm\u2019s way. From Yolanda to Odette, it has been the poorest Filipinos who have been affected. A mechanism where the basic sectors can immediately access rights to dignified poverty-reduction funds will make a world of difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n Notes to the Editor:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n [1] Anna Tuazon represents 3rd District, Leyte; Jose Manuel Alba represents 1st District, Bukidnon; Javi Benitez represents 3rd District, Negros Occidental; Perci Cenda\u00f1a is a representative for Akbayan Partylist; Arlene \u201cKaka\u201d Bag-ao represents the lone district of Dinagat Islands; and Aniela Tolentino represents 8th District, Cavite.![\"Refiling](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-philippines-stateless\/2025\/09\/2bd849a4-gp0su6o0b-1024x684.jpg\" "\\"Refiling")
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[2] World\u2019s highest court delivers historic protections for climate-impacted communities<\/a><\/p>\n\n