Senator Loren Legarda announced that the Paris Agreement on Climate Change will enter into force for the Philippines on Earth Day, April 22, 2017, one year after it signed the Treaty together with more than a hundred nations.
The Philippines becomes the 138th state party to the Agreement after the Philippine Mission to the United Nations deposited the country’s Instrument of Accession to the UN Treaty Section on March 23, 2017. It will enter into force for the Philippines after 30 days.
“Earth Day will once again be historic for the Philippines as it will mark the commencement of the Paris Agreement’s legal force and effect in our country. It will also mark a great start to our journey towards a resilient and sustainable future,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience.
“The Paris Agreement’s ultimate goal is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is our commitment to survive and thrive. This is in fulfillment of our intergenerational responsibility,” Legarda stressed.
In line with this, the Senator said that a whole-of-society approach is important to effectively implement the Agreement and ensure that other nations also keep their respective commitments.
“Our representatives in the climate talks can now actively participate in the negotiations, particularly in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. We will exercise governance, oversight, leadership, and decision-making and continue to be a strong actor in advancing our country’s interests. Developed nations must provide the necessary assistance for climate adaptation and mitigation to developing nations especially the vulnerable ones like the Philippines,” Legarda said.
“Here at home, while the government attunes its development plans to the goals of the Paris Agreement, we must build capacities of local communities to adapt to climate change impacts and eventually contribute to mitigation,” she added.
Legarda said that the creation of local climate change action plans (LCCAP) of all cities, municipalities, and provinces in the country must be fast. These LCCAPs can be the tools to access grant-based funding from international climate funds.
“The test of true leadership is measured on the ground. It is not enough that we are the voice of the vulnerable in the global arena. It is even more important that our own people are climate-engaged and our communities are gearing towards the sustainable path,” Legarda concluded.