Financing for adaptation vital for RP - official

MANILA, Philippines - Financing for adaptation is crucial for the Philippines, one of the countries at highest risk from the dangers of frequent storms due to climate change, the government said yesterday.

Presidential adviser on climate change Heherson Alvarez and Science and Technology Undersecretary Dr. Graciano Yumul stressed the urgency of global action as the devastation of tropical storm “Ondoy” clearly manifested the great menace that climate change is posing for developing and vulnerable countries like the Philippines.

The Philippines is also taking an active role in negotiating for a comprehensive and cohesive financing mechanism that ensures support for developing countries to undertake their own mitigation and adaptation efforts.

It is also closely working with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in drafting a common ASEAN position on climate change, to highlight the region’s concerns and interests.

In light of the devastation caused by Ondoy, the Philippine delegation in the climate change negotiations in Bangkok has called for “deep and early cuts” by developed countries.

The Philippine delegation, coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs, submitted that developed countries should cut their emissions by more than 30 percent from 2013 to 2017; more than 50 percent from 2018 and 2022; and at least 95 percent by 2020, all from 1990 levels.        — Pia Lee Brago