The Philippines Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change Souvenir Program

CONVENOR HON. HEHERSON T. ALVAREZ Climate Change Commission CO-CONVENORS Hon. Ramon J.P. Paje Secretary, DENR BISHOP EFRAIM M. TENDERO National Director, PCEC ABP. Antonio J. Ledesma Co-convenor, CCCP

IFD 2014

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Ms. Amina Rasul-Bernardo President, PCID

The Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change

limate change is a social, ethical, theological and a scientific issue. It needs to be understood in the context of God’s purposes for the world. Scientifically, it is important that the world take steps to reduce human-induced greenhouse gases.

Our atmosphere warmed by 0.74 degrees Celcius (1.33 degrees Farenheit) from 1906 to 2005, with much of that increase coming in the recent decades. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Convention predicts that by 2100, barring any significant interventions, temperatures wil have increased by a minimum of two degrees Centigrade (3.6 degrees Farenheit) over pre-industrial levels.

A rise of two degrees is considered catastrophic for all life forms.

In every culture, religions have always been the primary source of values and moral standards. Spiritual and moral values enable individuals and their communities to make the decisions necessary to preserve their habitat and their natural environment.

Today, as the entire world faces the most deadly crisis in human history, we must fall back on the common values and ethical standards that our religions teach us. It is a crisis that puts Earth in extreme peril.

Among the world’s various religions, there is a common reverence for nature, a common belief of its importance in the cycle of life. And so we look to our spiritual and moral values to help us make decisions on the preservation of our environment and our planet.

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief

Assistant Secretary Rex D. Lores Office of the Executive Secretary STAFF

CCC Bernadette Felix, Analyn Domingo, Kat Manapat, Resi Mariñas, Melissa Grace DizonDulalia n DENR Adona San Diego-Bermillo, Cohney Aquino n CCCP Belinda Formanes, Isabelo Samonte n CCGG Annabelle Lim, Eva Marie Famador n PCID Jamael Sarip Front cover design: Montage by Lyci Joy Ferrer The IFD Report is published by the Office of Commissioner Heherson T. Alvarez -Climate Change Commission with offices at Rm. 238 Mabini Hall, Malacañang, Manila.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of the contents is welcomed. https://www.facebook.com/InterfaithDialogueonClimateChangePhilippines

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CONTENTS President Aquino’s message Cardinal Tagle’s message Divine Mandates of Stewards Saving the Environment thru Divine Stewardship Unity in Diversity Carbon Mitigation or Climate Catastrophe National Greening Program

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 12 14 15 16 18 20 23 26 26 26 27 35

Next Step for Philippines and the world: Deciding CO2 cuts IPCC chair Rajendra Pachauri keynotes Ocean Security talks in Lima Great Religions on Climate Change Building for the future Summary of IFD issues and concerns 2014 Philippine food security threatened by climate impacts Antidote to envt’l problems is a drastic change in attitudes

Bishop Tendero elected WEA’s CEO; Pantoja, new PCEC head Individual Responsibility in Global Warming Acting against Climate Change 2014 IFD photo portfolio Alvarez in Action

The President’s Message

His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III

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wo months ago, leaders

from across the globe

gathered in New York to speak on what is considered to be among the pressing challenges of our time: climate change, and the danger it poses to all of humanity.

In speaking for the Philippines, my message was simple: not for countries to debate the existence of climate change, or to argue over individual responsibilities and commitments, but for each and every nation to take immediate action and do anything and everything they can to address climate change. Ours was a message anchored on the power of solidarity, and the belief that we bear responsibility for the fate of our fellowmen.

These are lessons that our people have taken to heart. Time and again, in the wake of disasters, we have seen every sector of society coming together, with

everyone, from schoolchildren to employees, volunteering their time and resources to participate in relief efforts and help those affected by calamities. And we have been fortunate that so many others have always come to our aid. Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda was the most recent manifestation of this. Its devastation was unparalleled, but so too was the solidarity displayed by all those who rallied to give assistance, whether they were our countrymen, or our friends and partners in the international community. In this, as with all the challenges we have faced and must face as one people, the religious sector has played, and continues to play an important role.

It is indeed heartening to see that your sector’s determination to alleviate the suffering of Filipinos extends beyond times of crisis and calamity—that you are steadfast in the goal of spreading awareness and educating communities on climate change and its risks, the importance of safeguarding our environment, and the paramount need for sustainable development. From Marikina, to Tacloban, to Naga, from the local to the national, and international levels, you have sought to engage and foster the participation of all sectors in this effort. This is an excellent example of what I spoke in the United Nations: We should not be content to stand on the sidelines, we have to take initiative to forge partnerships, and to do our part in helping the country to overcome this challenge.

Rest assure that the government is likewise doing everything in its power to combat

the threat of climate change and to protect our resources, people, and country from its risks. Knowing as we do that this is a multifaceted problem, we are likewise approaching it from all angles. For instance, we are diversifying our sources of energy and incentivizing investments in renewable energy, while we are protecting the environment through a massive re-greening program and an intensified illegal logging program.

We have improved our weather forecasting and warning systems, have continued to revisit our disaster response mechanisms, and have pursued the strategy of building back better. We have engaged stakeholders to develop a disaster risk financing and insurance policy framework to alleviate the impact of disasters on the most vulnerable Filipinos, and we are also partnering with you to implement initiatives like this.

In every effort government has undertaken, we have seen that our work has yielded the most benefit: we have been able to achieve more and help a greater number of people, when we work together. I am certain that you agree with this. After all, the underlying principle of this dialogue is unity—unity founded on the faith we have in each other and or faith in a higher power.

Thus, as I congratulate and thank you for all your work, I likewise invite you to harness these already strong partnerships and to explore even more avenues to combat climate change. In this way, we will be able to realize our vision of a more resilient Philippines— one whose people chose to link arms and work together towards brighter, and safer future.

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message

TOWARDS A DEEPER SENSE OF HuMAN RESPONSIBILITY

By Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal G. Tagle

Archbishop of Manila

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extend my warm greetings to the leaders and participants of the Philippines’ Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change. You all have a great mission and you have laudably engaged the leaders and members of other religions in this dialogue on the issue of climate change.

We are called to a deeper sense of human responsibility for the proper care of creation, especially in the context of the effects of climate change, unfortunately most of them dire and damaging. The dialogue on climate change is a step towards being aware of the present state of our environment and taking active steps towards stemming the tide of further damage and destruction.

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This can involve changes in lifestyle, behaviour, and mindset.

It is about being responsible, dutiful and conscientious stewards of creation. The responses to the challenges posed by climate change become more effective if they are products of dialogue, of consensus, and of a meeting of minds and hearts.

This dialogue will not just be among people of different religions. It should be a dialogue among communities and nations.

It should be a dialogue of the people with the earth they live in.

May our continuing dialogues with one another, with nature, and with all of creation flourish, bear fruit and bring us to the fullness of life.

“This dialogue will not just be among people of different religions. It should be a dialogue among communities and nations.”

MESSAGE

The Divine Mandates of Stewards

By Bishop Efraim Tendero DD, DL National Director Philippine Council for Evangelical Churches

S

ince I got involved in co-convening the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change in November 2010, it has been very enlightening to hear different perspectives from the government and faith-based groups speaking on the issues and their actions relating to climate change.

We have no right to use and abuse it as if we have the title to it.

The condition and future state of creation is tied to our communion with God. Because of these, let me suggest three ways we can care for God’s creation:

First is by having a disciplined and simple lifestyle. As stewards

This led me to have of the resources that are entrusted greater resolve to raise the to us, we should not abuse nor moral dimension and spearhead overuse the resources of nature. faith-based engagements on the We must learn to reuse and recycle. conservation of the earth.

Second, be involved in Our divine mandate and advocacy and education. Endeavor responsibility to care for creation to know the issues, develop are undergirded by the teachings greater understanding on the of all religions: dynamics at work in maintaining

Bishop Efraim Tendero has been elected as the head of the World Evangelical Alliance, a network of Christian churches in more than 120 countries.

He will will assume office on March 1, 2015.

the ecosystem. Then let us rally our respective constituencies to be better stewards of God’s creation.

Thirdly, let us be part of communal action. Identify the issues in your community. Organize tree-planting efforts, adopt an estero that the community can clean and revitalize, or be part of a community clean-up campaign.

The earth was created by God as good and sufficient to provide for the people who dwell on it. This world is not our own, it belongs to God. It is entrusted by the Divine Owner for us to nurture and care for. We owe it to the next generation that we can pass this world to them in a habitable form.

“As stewards of the resources that are entrusted to us, we should not abuse nor overuse the resources of nature.

We must learn to reuse and recycle.”

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MESSAGE

Saving our Environment through Divine Stewardship

by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD Co-convenor, CCCP

T

he Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP) has never before done deeper and broader consultations particularly on environment, social and climate justice with equity before various faith-based groups than what has been conducted in 2014 for an Interfaith Dialogue (IFD) on Climate Change.

The dialogues gave us an opportunity to enhance respect with brothers and sisters from different religious faiths of Catholic, Evangelical, Buddhists, Islamic and other religious beliefs in understanding the role of the faithful on “Stewardship of Creation” to address perils of climate change.

In saving the environment and creation, the IFD demonstrated what Pope Francis told us, for different religious beliefs to find respective solutions to common problems.

The Holy Father made the observation while conveying God’s Love in the plight of the poor and in the recovery from disasters during the visit to the unfortunate places devastated by typhoon.

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The dialogues enabled us to hear the voices of grassroots communities of the poor, the farmers, fishermen, informal settlers, the socially underserved, the indigenous peoples, marginalized sector, civil society and people’s organizations.

The dialogues highlighted the need for anticipation and adaptation measures to climate vulnerabilities with integrated mapping on floods, soil erosion, landslides, sea-level rise, storm surge, earthquake, volcanic eruptions, and others.

Most highlighted cases in 2014 Interfaith Dialogue revealed the plight of the poor in watershed; for instance in the Marikina watershed, there was the serious concern on the multi-hazard vulnerabilities (77% of upper Marikina watershed is vulnerable to landslides and soil erosion).

There were also calls for sustainable livelihoods, environment protection and people’s participation in integrated watershed management.

In the Bago watershed in Negros Occidental, there were concerns

over agrarian-related violence against farmers and also of multihazard vulnerabilities (landslide, soil erosion, flooding and storm surge).

In the Cagayan de Oro River Basin, there was deep concern over multi-hazards (landslides, sea level rise, flooding, faultlines, volcanic activity).

Of great concern also were the farmers quest for land distribution and indigenous people’s struggle for ancestral domain in the various areas in the Cagayan de Oro River Basin.

Mining and logging issues were profoundly raised as common concern.

The resulting dialogues are a testimony of the resolve of various faith groups to establish a participatory mechanism for a commitment and action to help transformation towards communities of faith as “Stewards of Creation.”

We express our prayerful thanks to all who participated and supported the IFD.

Shalom!

MESSAGE

UNITY IN DIVERSITY Solidarity in Climate Mitigation

By Ms. Amina Rasul-Bernardo President Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy

O

ne of the proverbial lessons the Qu’ran teaches, similar to the Bible, is that men are trustees or vice-regents of the Earth.

We reflect on the Hadith, a compilation of the oral reports of Muslim traditions, which proclaim “The Earth is green and beautiful, and Allah has appointed you His stewards over it. The whole earth has been created a place of worship, pure and clean.”

We are one with the Catholics, Evangelicals, Jews and other faith-based organizations in combatting climate change, as the entire humankind faces this

unprecedented problem. This perennial phenomenon— that has existed for the last two centuries, as a result of industrialization—has also devastated Muslim nations such as Bangladesh and Maldives.

We are in an era where food security is a major concern for the present generation and for its successors, and we could only do this through gradually lessening the impacts of climate change.

We need to remind the people what the Prophet Muhammad preaches about water conservation and avoiding wasteful consumption and

also inculcate their negative consequences to everyone.

“Devote thyself singlemindedly to the Faith, and thus follow the nature designed by Allah, the nature according to which He has fashioned mankind.

There is no altering the creation of Allah.” (Surah 30:30) Allah designed mankind and Mother Nature in synch, and we can only preserve this equilibrium, stepby-step, with the help of our own religious beliefs.

We can solve this problem together with common resolve in order to preserve the grandieur of Allah’s creation.​

“We need to remind the people what the Prophet Muhammad preaches about water conservation and avoiding wasteful consumption and also inculcate their negative consequences to everyone.”

THE 2014 IFD REPORT

7

Carbon mitigation or climate catastrophe

BY HEHERSON T. ALVAREZ Chair, Advisory Board, Climate Institute of Washington, DC and Commissioner Climate Change Commission

I

n September last year, the United Nations reflected the growing anxieties of the world by sponsoring the leaders’ summit on climate change, the central issue of human survival in the 21st century.

Last December, the UN’s anxieties were seriously addressed by delegates to the 20th annual session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 20) in Lima, Peru.

They will continue the negotiations toward a new global climate agreement that, hopefully, will be approved in the COP 21 in December 2015 in Paris, entering into force by 2020.

The negotiations are now focusing on creating a path that would diminish the emissions gap, the gap between reduction pledges and the necessary emission cuts to maintain global warming below 2 degrees Centigrade, the tipping point which the scientific community believes would trigger an irreversible slide toward climate catastrophe.

Today, there is absolutely no scientific reservation about this horrifying trajectory. Over the past five years, scientific understanding of climate change impacts and their causes has significantly advanced.

And the scale of the problem is such that a solution is possible only if nations and societies declare, in 8 THE 2014 IFD REPORT

Alvarez addresses the closing ceremony of IFD on Nov. 14, 2014 in Malacañang

effect, a total war against the first cause of climate change: carbon dioxide emissions.

The Philippines is not a significant emitter. But as the world’s third most vulnerable nation to powerful weather anomalies and natural disasters, the Philippines has a survival stake in the outcome of the Lima conference.

The fact is that human civilization is in a deadly and suicidal race between mitigation and catastrophe.

Global temperature is overheating. And if this overheating is not abated soon enough, many of our country’s island and coastal communities could perish.

For the first time in history, human beings today are breathing air that contains 400 parts per million (ppm) of carbon emissions.

This unprecedented concentration of carbon has been building up since the early 20th century. The result is that we are experiencing

an average temperature rise of 0.8 degrees C in global air and sea surface temperatures, with about two-thirds of the increase occurring since 1980.

As the temperature rises, there will be even more alarming climate impacts. This is why the frequency and intensity of natural disasters across the globe are increasing, along with their costs in terms of human life loss, property destruction, and economic disruption. There are massive hidden costs, too.

As a historical fact, coal and oil have fueled much of human progress over the last two centuries. But today, coal and oil lie at the heart of the modern world’s environmental predicament.

Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use are the largest driver of global warming, with coal as the greatest single component to this warming.

Carbon merchants maintain that coal remains the cheapest energy (continued on p. 25)

POLITICO.COM

Tree planting in Malitbog, Bukidnon on August 5, 2013

ALL PHOTOS FROM DENR

THE NATIONAL

Greening program For carbon mitigation

By Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje

Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources

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hange has come to an ideal setting.

The Marikina Valley is one of our country’s most resilient communities in facing the threats brought by climate change, particularly floods. This city has learned its lessons the hard way, especially after its experience with Typhoon Ondoy in 2009 and then, more recently, with Typhoon Mario.

Battle-tested as the people of Marikina have become in terms of coping with floods, there is no occasion for us to be complacent.

For the foreseeable future, for the rest of our lifetimes, we will be confronting climate change.

We have not yet seen the worst, but we shall do everything to be prepared for it -- together -- when it comes.

The DENR chairs the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, which was created by Executive Order No. 43 in 2011. The marching order for this Cabinet Cluster is to ensure the integrity of the environment and climate change adaptation Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala (left) and DENR Secretary Ramon Paje (right) and mitigation. Within the Cluster, lead the Beta Sigma fraternity in planting more than 100,000 trees in support of the we have crafted a Road Map National Greening Program on July 14, 2012 at UP Diliman grounds. (continued on p. 10)

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 9

(from page 9)

of adaptation and mitigation measures as the principal strategies responsive to climate change issues. These strategies and programs are attuned to the sector outcomes outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, namely: Enhanced resilience of natural systems, and improved adaptive capacities of human communities; natural resources conserved, protected and rehabilitated; and cleaner environmental quality and improved healthier environment.

Also at the Cabinet Cluster level, we have formulated policy recommendations to respond to emerging concerns. These include the following: An executive order adopting the programs under the Road Map; a presidential directive for LGUs to mainstream Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation into local development planning; and an executive order institutionalizing the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory System.

quality program, the national cadastral survey program, and the national geohazard assessment program. Diverse as these are, there is a common thread that runs among them: our Climate Change Advocacy Campaign, which was launched on July 18, 2014 to popularize climate change awareness among the citizenry.

This Interfaith Dialogue, being undertaken in partnership with leading religious institutions, is a key medium of this Climate Change Advocacy Campaign.

More and better forests comprise the linchpin of our strategies, and our main line of defense against climate change.

Here, the centerpiece is the National Greening Program, which is the biggest reforestation program in Philippine history.

The NGP aims to plant 1.5 billion trees across 1.5 million hectares in the space of six years, from 2011 to 2016. In the process, the NGP addresses poverty alleviation, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and At the forefront of the adaptation. government’s programs being implemented with the DENR as In the NGP’s first three years the lead agency, are the National (2011-2013), 683,069 hectares were Greening Program, the anti- planted. This year our target is illegal logging program, the air 400,000 hectares.

“The NGP has thus far given employment to more than 168,000 people in upland and rural communities.“

The NGP has thus far given employment to more than 168,000 people in upland and rural communities. It has provided host communities food crops and cash crops like fruit-bearing, coffee, cacao, rubber and other trees.

By the end of the NGP in mid-2016, our forest cover would have increased to 24-30% of our land area. These new forests will absorb about 38 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. This will help us achieve carbon neutrality and thereby significantly reduce our country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The NGP gives preference to endemic species and economically-valuable trees, to achieve biodiversity conservation as well as to generate livelihood.

This approach gives the host communities a greater stake in ensuring the survival and health of the trees. These trees mean more than just fruits to sell and ecotourism to develop for the host communities.

The forests that they comprise will recharge the watershed, protect the soil against erosion and the rivers from siltation, and capture climate(continued on page 11)

Tree planting in Bagac, Bataan in 2014 10 THE 2014 IFD REPORT

Mangrove planting in Brgy. Tinago, Calbiga, Samar in 2011

(from page 10)

change inducing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The manifold benefits that the host communities in particular, and that we all in general, stand to harvest from the NGP are the best assurance of its success.

All NGP sites are geotagged. This means that each site is photographed with GPS reading, with the time and date recorded.

This enables us to visually document the transformation of the landscape, from being degraded, to becoming productive and sustainable forests. The geotagged pictures are available to the public at the NGP website. To further ensure transparency and accountability, the regular reports submitted by DENR field personnel are required to be under oath and notarized. This is how serious we are.

Along our archipelago’s very long coastline, our Land Management Bureau has been surveying and mapping foreshore lands. This program is expected to be completed next year. This is of vital importance, because rising sea levels will threaten our coastal areas, much of which are densely populated. Higher seas will also impact inland, not only because of saltwater intrusion, but because rivers will be unable to discharge flood waters as rapidly as before.

Indeed, rivers, lakes, swamps, marshes and other wetlands are being given extra attention by our Biodiversity Management Bureau, because as habitats of biodiversity they are among the most vulnerable to climate change. We also foresee that massive coral bleaching will recur on a scale similar to the one in 1998; the dying of coral reefs, which are crucial to marine ecosystems, can gravely affect our food security.

here has to do everything they can do to address climate change, without first waiting for their neighbors to engage in action.

Doing anything less leaves the problem unattended to, thereby increasing the problem we all face.

The Philippines is not waiting. We are addressing climate change to the maximum with our limited resources. Legislation has been enacted to lessen the impact of disasters by adopting a comprehensive approach to Going back to where we disaster response. are today, a major portion of the We have empowered Marikina Watershed Reservation our forecasting agencies so that now enjoys enhanced protection. they can give timely warnings In November 2011, upon my to vulnerable communities. We recommendation, President have undertaken multi-hazard Benigno S. Aquino III upgraded and geohazard mapping, which is its status from a reservation integral to the effective assessment to a protected landscape, thru of risks.

Proclamation 296, which also named this portion as the Upper We have undertaken Marikina River Basin Protected a massive national regreening Landscape. Marikina City is program on top of an intensified downriver, at the floodplain, of this anti-illegal logging campaign. We protected landscape. are tagging public expenditure on climate change to ensure that We are fortunate to have a appropriate prioritization and President who deeply cares for our allocation of funds is achieved.� environment and people. In 2011, President Aquino took immediate As one of the countries most action by imposing a moratorium extremely vulnerable to climate on logging and institutionalizing change, we truly cannot afford to the National Greening Program. wait for the rest of the world to act, because the consequences will be Recently, he told a global fatal for millions of our people. forum, and I quote:“...everyone (continued on p. 24)

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 11

Next step for Philippines and the world:

Deciding CO2 cuts for THE Paris Pact I

n Lima last month, overworked and desperate delegates to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change conference heaved a collective sigh – humanity had taken a huge step backward from the precipice of climate doom.

Two hard fought goals made the timely retreat possible.

The first was an outline text that will be fleshed out before next December when delegates meet to finalize the 2015 Paris agreement.

Given the complex options and divergent positions involved, this process will be daunting.

Deeply aware that the Paris conference will be making historic decisions, the French government is intent on making COP21 a turning point in the global effort to deter further warming of the Earth. French President Francois Hollande is already reaching out to developing nations; he has placed climate change at the top of his agenda when he reciprocates the visit of President Benigno Aquino this year. In fact, Hollande sent Special Envoy for the Planet Nicolas Hulot to Manila to work with climate officials and promote innovative policies.

The second was a covenant on the rules governing national commitments – the “intended nationally determined 12 THE 2014 IFD REPORT

By HEHERSON T. ALVAREZ Commissioner, Climate Change Commission

contributions” (INDCs). These INDCs, effectively commitments of UN members, will be at the heart of the Paris accord on a new, comprehensive post-2020 climate regime.

on adaptation plans (optional, not compulsory), financial support for poorer nations, loss and damage, capacity building, and technology transfer. But the cornerstone of the Lima accord was profoundly emphasized: carbon mitigation

Compromises on other key based on the “principle of issues were necessary to achieve common but differentiated these goals, including concessions responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.”

This mitigation strategy is a vindication of my stance from the beginning. In October 2008, soon after assuming the position of Presidential Adviser on Climate Change and Global Warming, I convened the first Carbon-Cutting Congress in the Philippines. Critics contended that the Philippines should be concentrating on adaptation since our carbon footprint was negligible, and that mitigation should be left to the highly industrialized nations.

This, of course, was a myopic view. The problem was man-made carbon pollution of the environment, and the obvious solution was to eliminate or minimize carbon emissions.

No amount of adaptation would resolve this problem, and it was apparent to me that all countries, no matter how small, should make a contribution to this goal. (continued on p. 13)

(from p. 12)

At Lima, the death knell for an old structure rang out. Since 1992, countries were split into two groups; the developed countries that collectively were responsible for the majority of historical greenhouse gas emissions were placed in Annex 1 of the treaty, and the developing countries were labeled as non-Annex 1. Under the Kyoto Protocol, only Annex 1 countries were required to take on binding emissions reduction commitments.

In 2011 at Durban, however, there was a consensus that post2020 actions to be negotiated at the Paris summit this year would be “applicable to all.” This meant that the inflexible “firewall” between Annex 1 and non-Annex 1 countries would not continue in the post-2020 agreement; different countries would take on different kinds of actions, but those would be based on their capabilities and their current national circumstances.

The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities effectively demolished that division. All nations, large and small, are producing varying amounts of greenhouse gases. So all must cut accordingly, if global warming is to be held below 2°C compared to the temperature in pre-industrial times.

To be consistent with this principle, the European Union stressed that the obligations of the parties must reflect “evolving realities, circumstances, responsibilities and capabilities in a fair and dynamic way that is ambitious enough to keep us on track to achieve the below 2 degrees C objective.”

Many developing countries, particularly those highly vulnerable to climate impacts, tend to reject this concept. But it imposes on nations like the Philippines both a

WWW.WCLIMATE.COM

French President Francois Hollande at the World Economic Forum discusses climate change and the upcoming Paris 2015 United Nations COP21 conference. He called for a strong alliance of business, NGOs and governments to spur action and investments for climate mitigation.

moral and legal obligation to do our share.

This is the same principal that compels why every Filipino who earns an income pays taxes to support the government. We should be comfortable with this principle because it also largely reflects the “bayanihan” spirit in the Filipino culture.

Now, which sectors of our economy will bear the brunt of emissions reduction targets? Is it possible to reduce or offset these targets by largescale REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) strategies? What steps should the government and its environmental allies in the private sector take to calculate and arrive at a fair and reasonable

INDC for our country?

These questions require in-depth studies, and for this purpose Malacañang should organize an ad hoc body, say the Climate Pact Committee (CPC).

Its members should include all the departments whose fields contribute significantly to environmental degradation together with the policymaking departments of NEDA, DOST and the Climate Change Commission.

The final product of CPC would be a bill to be enacted by Congress so that our commitments to UNFCCC will have the force of law.

The proposed law should not only stipulate emissions cut by (continued on p. 22)

“This early the Philippines should start organizing to determine its INDCs. The shape and quantity of our intended contributions will give us an idea of the magnitude of investments our government must make in order to achieve a credible transition to a low-carbon society.”

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 13

IPCC chair Rajendra Pachauri keynotes Ocean Security talks in Lima, Peru

A

t the invitation of former senator Heherson T. Alvarez, in his capacity as coconvenor of the Ocean Security International Conference, Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri delivered the keynote address of that event held on November 30 to December 1, 2014 in Lima, Peru ahead of the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP) 20.

Pachauri has been chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) since 2002, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. In 2008, he was re-elected chairman by acclamation of the IPCC.

on Protecting the Oceans,” Alvarez led the panel discussion on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management.

In his address, Pachauri stressed his favorite theme that, in the end, knowledge and science will undoubtedly triumph.

“But delay in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases would only lead to worse impacts of climate change and growing hardship for the most vulnerable regions in the world, which are also unfortunately some of the poorest communities on earth,” he said.

Pachauri further declared: “ It is becoming increasingly clear Alvarez and two IFD that the spread of knowledge leaders, Archbishop Antonio and awareness would be a critical Ledesma, SJ and Evangelical driver of the transformation that is Bishop Efraim Tendero, officially required to move human society participated in the OSI event towards a pattern of sustainable held at Hotel Estelar in Lima. Co- development. organizers of the conference were This would also be the OSI President Dr. Viktor Sebek of most effective means of thwarting Colombia and former President the efforts of skeptics and vested of Guatemala Vinicio Cerezo. interests, who will do everything At the conference, which possible to maintain the status issued the “2014 Lima Declaration quo: An economist and industrial 14 THE 2014 IFD REPORT

L-R: Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma of CCCP, Bishop Efraim Tendero of PCEC, Climate Change Commissioner Heherson T. Alvarez, IPCC chair Rajendra Pachauri, and UNESCO EarthSavers Director Cecile Guidote- Alvarez

engineer by training, Dr. Pachauri has been actively involved with energy and climate issues for nearly 40 years. He is also head of TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) which conducts original research and provides knowledge about energy, the environment, forestry, biotechnology and natural resource conservation to governments and institutions worldwide.

Alvarez, as Climate Change Commissioner and chair of the Advisory Board of the Climate Institute in Washington D.C., presented the ocean agenda of the recent SouthSouth dialogue to bring about greater understanding of vast coastal and marine services, the specific problems and benefits of protecting the oceans, and the need to ensure that the next climate talks will include such considerations.

“We must look at the ocean as an essential ingredient for mankind’s survival. The multiple problem of overheating, acidity, oxygen depletion are part

(continued on p. 25)

Great RELIGIONS

on Climate Change

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he Interfaith Dialogue (IFD), first convened by former senator Heherson T. Alvarez of the Climate Change Commission in 2010, promotes action on environmental protection and sustainability based on religious teachings. Interfaith environmental conferences are bringing in-depth focus on environmental issues among faith-based groups that are allied with NGOs, and young Filipinos deeply concerned about the future of Earth. They are guided by the teachings of the world’s greatest religions.

“A serious ethical and moral responsibility” “You are called to care for creation not only as responsible citizens, but also as followers of Christ! Respect for the environment means more than simply using cleaner products or recycling what we use. These are important aspects, but not enough. We need to see, with the eyes of faith, the beauty of God’s saving plan, the link between the natural environment and the dignity of the human person.“ --Pope Francis, undelivered speech to UST youth encounter, January 18, 2015 “Humankind is destroying the global ecological balance that provides the life-support systems for the planet...We believe that at the center of the vision of shalom is the integration of environmental, economic, and social justice...Therefore, we are called to a global sense of community and solidarity leading to a new world system of international relationships and economic/environmental order.”

-- United Methodist Church Environmental Justice for a Sustainable Future “The central concept of Islam is tawheed, or unity. Allah is unity, and His unity is reflected in the unity of humanity and nature. We must therefore maintain the integrity of the Earth, its flora and fauna, its wildlife and environment. Our responsibility is to keep balance and harmony in Allah’s creation.”

– Statement of the Muslim World League by Islamic scholar Hyder Ihsan Mahasneh

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“We must care about environmental and climate issues because we are called to love our neighbors, and to protect and care for the least of these...The consequences of these problems will most likely hit the poor the hardest ...Poor nations and individuals have fewer resources available to cope with major challenges and threats. Therefore, we should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy … [and] the helpless through proper stewardship.”

-- Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change

“The world is on fire and God is calling upon us to act.

The crisis of climate change is not primarily a crisis of technology, political or economic policy. It is a moral crisis that demands that we respond. This moral crisis arises from inequities between those who have benefited most from carbon-based energy — and have the most abundant resources to deal with the consequences — versus those “We have a brief window of opportunity to take action, who benefited the least, are least to preserve humanity from imminent disaster and to assist responsible, will suffer the most, and the survival of the many diverse and beautiful forms of life have the most meager resources to on Earth. Future generations, and the other species that deal with it. “These are the things you share the biosphere with us, have no voice to ask for our must do: speak the truth to one another, compassion, wisdom, and leadership. We must listen to render true and perfect justice in your their silence. We must be their voice, too, and act on their gates.” (Zechariah 8:16) behalf.”

— A Jewish Statement “A Call to --Buddhist Declaration on Action on Environmental Justice” Climate Change

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 15

Building for the

FUTURE

BY JEJOMAR C. BINAY Vice President Republic of the Philippines

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Commissioner Alvarez with Vice President Binay

limate change is the central problem of 21st Century civilization.

It is disrupting countries, economies, and lives of people all over the world.

As weather patterns and storm paths are altered and become more unpredictable, our cities and rural areas are rendered more vulnerable to extreme weather anomalies.

We ourselves have seen how nature’s whims have shifted steadily over the past two decades.

Filipinos are witnesses to the terrifying impacts of climate change, and the winds of Yolanda continue to howl in our consciousness. Scientists and climatologists warn that super typhoons like Yolanda will be the norm if nations, great and small, continue to pollute the atmosphere with carbon emissions, the most significant cause of global warming.

•

Each of the last three decades has been significantly warmer than all preceding decades since 1850.

These findings give us solid guides on which to base our responses and solutions. If carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions are the leading causes of global warming, our fundamental strategy must be that of reducing carbon pollution.

Mitigation in the building sector is crucial. One large and significant opportunity to make deep CO2 cuts at the least cost is green building.

Buildings account for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (or IPCC) painted a very harsh picture for the Philippines and other developing countries. With science underscoring their findings, they have clearly stated that:

There is very good chance that this will double by 2030 if there is no effective intervention.

In the Philippines, the figure may be slightly higher since buildings account for 36% of national energy consumption. The more electricity we use, the more greenhouse gases we emit.

The warming of the Earth’s climate system is “unequivocal.” This means that, beyond all doubt, there is a continuing rise in the average temperature of Earth’s surface.

It is crucial that our homes and communities embrace the pressing need to use green materials and green technologies. You would think that in a city like Makati, the hottest temperatures would be in the central business district where

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16 THE 2014 IFD REPORT

large concrete structures stand. Yet, through the use of modern materials and design, the CBD is actually one of the coolest sections of Makati. It is in the densest residential areas like the Embo’s that radiate the greatest amount of heat. In those areas, the type of building materials used plus the lack of ample space for air currents to pass, create hot zones that cause more power consumption due to higher air-conditioning use.

My favorite physician, Dr. Elenita Binay, never fails to remind me that we should understand the symptoms in order to cure a disease. May I suggest therefore, that to manage the global warming we must watch our carbon footprints – by being sensitive in the way we live. In a fundamental sense, we can make a difference by changing wasteful consumptions and making conscientious decisions that reduce emissions in our homes or in our workplaces.

A good example of making a difference is the campaign that brings us here together today – the campaign for building green. By building green, we help reduce the carbon emissions that are slowly but surely suffocating our planet.

It is therefore timely that our President, His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, Chairman of the Climate

Building for the Future Change Commission, mandated Resolution No. 5 of the Commission to undertake the Green Building carbon reduction program. This is being done with the assistance of the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank group, the Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI) and the Philippine Society of Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers (PSVARE).

Equally laudable are the regulatory revisions being pursued

by DPWH to “green” the National Building Code. Doing so will lead to US$800 million in cost savings to people and businesses, a reduction of CO2 emissions by 1.9 million tons, and an annual electricity consumption

(from p. 16)

saving of about 4.0 million megawatthours.

We in the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council are no less keen on making profound contributions towards ushering the adoption of Building Green across all tiers of the housing sector. And in support of the goals that we hold in common, let me propose the following synergies: 1. To effectively share the lessons of experience and initiatives in green building, the sponsoring organizations here should help review the shelter designs offered by Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), more popularly

known as the Pag-IBIG Fund.

What green building concepts can we apply to Pag-IBIG designs to improve their quality without necessarily escalating their affordability. have some responsibility over the Pag-IBIG Fund, and I will organize a core group to work with you for this purpose.

2. To expand the practice of green building among local government units, I propose that the IFC, PGBI, the Climate Change Commission, and the Department of Public Works & Highways work with the University of Makati in developing a seminar format for a green building code for newly elected LGU executives and newly and well-funded universities in the Philippines.

The implications of a green code for our building and construction industry will be pivotal to the future of our nation. The path to a low-carbon way of urbanization will have its own set of challenges. But if we all agree about the importance of the goal, we can overcome whatever momentary setbacks might arise.

L-R: Commissioner Alvarez, Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, and Hans Shrader, senior program manager of International Finance Corporation.

Let us reduce our carbon emissions to tell the world that we remain committed to safeguarding our earth for the benefit of all mankind. Let us increase our cooperation so that we can inspire more innovations and collaborations that will benefit our cause.

The effort to significantly cut carbon emissions must remain a continuing effort. That effort should be supported and upheld by all those who lead the nation, today and tomorrow.

I assure you of my firmest commitment to be a staunch partner in preserving our planet, the most precious heirloom we can hand down to our children and their grandchildren.

Commisioner Alvarez, Sen. Legarda, and PGBI chairman Engr. Larry Punsalan at the Building Green conference at Dusit Hotel. Sen. Legarda also addressed the conference.

(The above are excerpts of the keynote address

by Vice President Binay at the conference on “Building Green: An LGU Imperative” held at the Dusit Hotel, Makati City on April 23, 2014. The event was sponsored by PGBI, the International Finance Corporation, and the Climate Change Commission.)

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 17

SUMMARY OF KEY CONCERNS

1

Establishing and institutionalizing Integrated River Basin/ Watershed / Councils.

The council should have strong inter-agency convergence and multistakeholder representation, particularly from marginalized sectors to ensure that the poor benefit significantly from environment and anti-poverty programs. There is a need to organize and strengthen river basins/watersheds thru councils particularly critical watersheds and coordinate with various river basins/watershed management councils in the Philippines.

The River Basin and Watershed Councils should identify projects and implement political trans-boundary programs with strong coastal

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Review the Philippine Mining Act. (Elimination of destructive mining and adapt within the purview of climate change and disasters, rehabilitation/corporate responsibility, human rights, economic contributions and international regulatory frameworks and standards and practices.)

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management protection program and networking thru partnership/ collaboration and cooperation in the preservation and implementation of protected areas.

The councils shall undertake programs to coordinate upland and lowland for appropriate adaptation measures including conservation of biodiversity like reforestation particularly NGP, agro-forestry/ organic agriculture with crop suitability programs, greening programs to generate jobs and alternative sustainable livelihood thru antipoverty programs, anti-pollution and waste management programs and innovative green technology foremost in particular cutting carbon emission programs, for example use of water energy and solar system like the “Firefly Program ” (proposed with ADB).

4

Immediate and swift implementation of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction programs in the Yolanda devastated areas.

There should be active participation of communities in planning and implementation of programs including faith-based groups.

Formulation a new Protocol on Disaster Response and Management in heavily devastated areas. (To re-examine and revise government policies on provisions and on budget/ procurement regulations, land acquisition/ development, tax exemption on relief items, preparation of national and watershed climate change multi-hazard vulnerability maps, review/ updating and reconciling of typhoon and earthquake signals according to international warning category, community-level preparedness, participation/ mobilizations, guidelines for building private-public partnerships for reconstruction of disaster areas; disaster quick response and close coordination of LGUs and NGOs; third party independent evaluation of disaster management 18 THE 2014 IFD REPORT projects.)

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Continuing community awareness on climate education particularly about multi-hazard maps, and early warning system. The need for massive communitybased pilot action programs on climate education campaign should include IEC and climate awareness campaigns thru IFDs, like “Earth Hour” program, stewardship and lifestyle change social transformation programs in families, churches and faith based congregations.

There is a need for standard modules on climate awareness pilot action campaign programs like disaster drills at the watershed and barangay levels, and anticipation/ adaptation training with climate change multi-hazard vulnerability maps particularly storm surge areas in coastal communities.

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Integraton of intergenerational and climate justice and equity. (as guiding framework and strategies in national and international climate negotiations/ coordination).

Strengthening linkages, collaboration and technical cooperation. (The networking programs should include between and among inter-faith groups, government and non-government organizations at the local, national and international levels.)

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by Belinda Formanes and Isabelo Samonte Climate Change Congress of the Philippines

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Elimination of politicking, change policies so that politics shall not adversely interfere but strongly support responses to risk reduction, disaster assistance, recovery, and adaptation to climate change with conservation of nature’s resources to prevent vulnerabilities to disasters. The policies should also provide mechanisms to stop corruption with stiff penalties particularly destructive activities either leading to natural calamities or hindering recovery and at the same time policies should strengthen public responses to climate change threats.

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Promotion and providing broader access to antipoverty programs, sustainable livelihoods and provision of quality community basic services. (such as conditional cash transfers (CCT), shelter, food, education, health; livelihood and infrastructure development such as marketing of agricultural produce, processing of agricultural products, post harvest facilities, farm to market roads, irrigation facilities, sustainable renewable source of energy; water harvesting and management etc.)

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10 11

Promotion of value formation and lifestyle transformation. The program to instil simple living, integrate alternative technologies such as organic and diversified farming, and recycling of wastes materials. There are also strong recommendations for MalacaĂąang to be a model to support initiative for innovative green technologies like use of the solar power.

Third party independent evaluation of major disaster and key environment protection and management programs. The programs to include the National Greening Program; Relief and rehabilitation programs in Yolanda/Sendong/Pablo typhoon affected areas and ensure transparency/ resiliency, recovery, social justice, and equity. This is to ferret out best practices, identify core problems, and invite recommendations to improve anticipation measures, DRRM in these devastated areas in order to be always ready for disasters to come.

Consistency of government programs and mechanisms for partnerships in coordination with NGOs, and other organizations. The programs should need to develop programs for re-building ecosystems and biodiversity in environmentally degraded areas. There is also a need for strong inter-agency collaboration/cooperation programs for developed and underdeveloped countries in protecting the ozone layer and in solving huge pollution problems and getting alternative sources of sustainable renewable energy.

Third party independent evaluation of major disaster and key environment protection and management programs. The programs to include the National Greening Program; Relief and rehabilitation programs in Yolanda/Sendong/Pablo typhoon affected areas and ensure transparency/ resiliency, recovery, social justice, and equity. This is to ferret out best practices, identify core problems, and invite recommendations to improve anticipation measures, DRRM in these devastated areas in order to be always ready for disasters to come.

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 19

Philippine Food Security Threatened by Climate Impacts Weather anomalies are already impacting on human health, livelihood

by Kat Manapat assets, food production and distribution

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leading Filipino scientist urged that climate change adaptation and mitigation measures be integrated into the overall Philippine development approaches and agenda to guide the agricultural sector and enhance the country’s food security.

At four, separate IFD conferences, Dr. Esteban Godilano, resident scientist of the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP), stressed that climate change impacts are already affecting all four dimensions of food security.

These dimensions are: food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food systems stability.

At the same time, Dr. Godilano warned that in the near future, there may be resourcebased conflicts and civil unrest triggered by climate change and its impacts, pointing out that weather anomalies are already impacting on human health, livelihood assets, food production and distribution.

“Poor sectors of the economy will suffer the most because of their lack of resiliency or alternatives, and this is a main reason why Filipinos must be educated and informed about the implications of our changing environment,” the scientist said.

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Dr. Esteban Godilano earned his doctorate degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He also has a master’s degree from Asian Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree from Central Philippine University in Iloilo, Philippines. As a scientist, he has travelled, researched, and worked in 21 countries.

PHOTOS FROM DENR

Filipinos are already food insecure since agriculture-based livelihood systems are already at risk to growing incidence of crop failure, new patterns of pests and diseases, lack of appropriate seeds and planting material, and loss of livestock.

As an indirect effect, lowincome families, particularly in urban areas, will be at greater risk of food insecurity owing to lack of assets and increasingly higher food costs. Citing World Bank and IPCC data, Dr. Godilano said climate change is causing some Php799 billion annually in economic damages. He warned that global warming at the current rate – without significant intervention by the international community

-- is likely to exceed 2 degree Centigrade by 2100.

In his presentations, Dr. Godilano impressed IFD audiences with an overview of the major effects of climate change and provided a sweeping analysis about the current ecological situation of each location where the IFD was held.

Dr. Godilano said climate impacts on agriculture will be both short term, resulting from more frequent and more intense extreme weather events, and long term, caused by changing temperatures and precipitation patterns. Stressing on the need for the Philippine agriculture sector to adapt as well as to contribute to

Savor looking at the beautiful rice fields in Bicol now, because some of this may be gone if global warming persists. In Godilano’s presentation, the Department of Agriculture says that almost 84% of the total rice lands will be affected by climate change.

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mitigating the climate challenge, he said “we should not live on rice alone.”

The scientist projected on the screen some statistics from the Department of Agriculture indicating that almost 84% of the total rice lands will be affected by climate change.

When global temperature increases by one degree Centigrade, he warned that the Philippines will need to import at least an additional one million metric tons of rice annually or more, depending on population growth rate.

“Some people should quit taking rice and eat other root crops instead,” Dr. Godilano quipped to an audience of educators, government officials, and IFD and NGO representatives, pointing out that rice can be substituted by white corn, yam, sweet potato, taro and cassava, and banana.

He also urged agricultural officials and farmers to take into account the crop suitability requirements based on scientific evidence in selecting crops to be planted.

For example from the DABAS database, the yield gap of coconut between Zamboanga which is the highest producing province (10.47 tons/ha/year) and the Province of Leyte is 5.62 tons/ ha/year.

Analysis indicated that only 37% of existing coconut areas in Leyte is suitable for coconut farming.

But apart from soil, another key factor in coconut growing is land elevation. The effect of climate change in coconut production is manifested in palm blooms.

Palm flowering can be impaired when a coconut tree’s elevation is lower than 500 meters above sea level or at higher

elevations exceeding 600 meters above sea level.

The “new normal” is defined by devastating typhoons, unseasonal storm surges, heavy floods, long droughts, and rising sea levels.

But Dr. Godilano emphasized that Filipino farmers can still be very productive by adjusting to the changes in the environment and taking to heart policies and governance guidelines issued by the Department of Agriculture.

Noting that agriculture, forestry and fisheries are not only affected by climate change, he said these sectors also contribute to it through greenhouse gases emissions.

However, they may also contribute to the remedy by mitigating carbon emissions through vital changes in agricultural practices and technology.

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 21

Paris Pact

(from p. 13)

2030 and 2050. It should provide benchmarks and incentives for industries, schedules of renewable energy coming into stream as ageing coal and diesel plants are phased out, and proactive policies to promote new technology and green growth.

It will also be essential for this law to mobilize public and private financial resources to cut emissions without undermining the country’s economic growth.

We can borrow from the example and experience of the European Union. For the short term, the EU has put in place legislation to reduce its emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020; current data show it is well on track to reach this target.

A confident EU is also offering to increase this cut to 30% if other major economies agree to improve their reduction efforts.

More specifically, the law should: (1) propose cost-efficient ways to make the Philippine economy more climate-friendly and less energy-consuming; (2) put forward a Philippine roadmap for moving to a competitive lowcarbon economy in 2050; (3) set out a cost-effective pathway for achieving much deeper emission cuts, indicating reductions at the level of 40% by 2030 and 60% by 2040; and (4) provide reduction benchmarks for the main sectors of the economy -- power generation, industry, transport, buildings and construction, as well as agriculture – for the transition to a low-carbon economy.

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This early, therefore, the hangs over the world. Current Philippines should start organizing global emissions, still unabated, to determine its INDCs. put the world’s environment on a trajectory toward a 4 degree

The shape and quantity Centigrade warming. of our intended contributions will This is why John Kerry, give us an idea of the magnitude of investments our government the US secretary of state, voiced must make in order to achieve a an impassioned warning that if credible transition to a low-carbon the Lima conference fails, the society. world was “on a course leading to tragedy.”

Some economists at the The Lima summit, to be sure, UNFCCC estimate the Philippines would need to invest some two produced basic achievements. percent of its GDP annually, But these are sufficient enough on average, over the next four to bring a new luster of hope for human civilization as we prepare decades. for Paris.

Such investments would spur growth in a broad range (Heherson T. Alvarez was part of of manufacturing sectors and the Philippine delegation to COP environmental services. Ultimately, 20 in Lima, Peru. Currently chair of their impacts would allow Filipinos the Advisory Board of the Climate to study, live and work in low- Institute based in Washington, D.C., energy, low-emission buildings he served as chair of the Senate with intelligent water, light and committee on environment for cooling systems and, at the same ten years during his tenure in the time, to enjoy cleaner cities with Philippine Senate and successfully negotiated with oil multinationals to healthier environment. introduce unleaded gasoline in the

In the meantime, the domestic market.) threat of climate catastrophe

DENR Region VIII Director Leonardo Sibbaluca (left) and Asec.

Marcial Amaro Jr. (right) delivering messages for the closing ceremonies of the IFD on Nov. 14, 2014 PHOTOS FROM DENR

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Antidote to envt’l problems: Drastic change in attitudes

he Interfaith Dialogue has been designed not only to raise public awareness and knowledge on climate change among religious leaders and their publics, but also to stir people to act and cooperate in efforts toward environmental protection.

Climate change challenges us to be truly responsible and active stewards of the environment.

Our environment and natural resources are among the most bountiful in the world, but we have allowed them to be degraded for centuries. We have lost much of our forests, mangroves, corals and other habitats of biodiversity, and their loss has deepened our poverty.

This is why we in the DENR in particular, and the Government in general, are joining forces with the religious sector. Together, we are building bridges across religious creeds, so that in communities of mixed faiths, we can act in harmony and unison.

Our country now has the latest modalities and infrastructure to accurately predict weather and possible threats it may bring. We have the technology that can tell us 72 hours earlier when certain areas are likely to experience geological hazards.

The DENR through the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau, has already completed the data on geohazard, this is what we call the Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program. We have completed geohazard assessment and mapping of the entire country at 1:50,000 scale and at 1:10,000 scale for 1,224 municipalities/ cities. We have also completed the geohazard assessment and mapping of 171 cities/municipalities affected by typhoon Yolanda; and conducted sinkhole assessment of 17 priority cities/municipalities in Bohol affected by the October 2013 earthquake.

Also, at the forefront of the government’s program on climate change is the National Greening Program (NGP). More and better forests comprise the linchpin of our strategies, and our main line of defense against climate change. The NGP is the biggest reforestation program in Philippine history that aims to plant 1.5 billion trees across 1.5 million hectares in the space of six years, from 2011 to 2016. To date, the NGP has planted a total of 971,982 hectares.

The people, as part of the government, must pitch in. This why we have launched the Climate

Change Advocacy Campaign with the Philippine Information Agency, and why we are having this Interfaith Dialogue with religious leaders -- to empower the people with education and information on fighting climate change, like teaching farmers and indigenous forest-dwellers the ways of climate-resilient agriculture and ecosystem management.

We need stakeholders to get regularly involved. Making communities climate-resilient demands mass participation on a continuing basis. The challenge goes beyond disasterpreparedness, and extends to disaster-prevention through actions to mitigate climate change. The antidote to our environmental problems is a significant change in attitude.

The times are drastically changing, and it is time for change. Time to accept the realities of climate change.

Time for us to change our outlook about climate change, and time for us to change the way we do things in our daily lives in order for us to lessen our carbon footprint.

(The above are excerpts of DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje’s remarks during the closing ceremonies of the 2014 Interfaith Dialogue/Conference on Climate Change, Malacañan Palace, Manila, 21 November 2014)

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 23

GREENING PROGRAM This why we have launched the Climate Change Advocacy Campaign, and why we are having this Interfaith Dialogue – to empower the people with education and information on fighting climate change, like teaching farmers and indigenous forest-dwellers the ways of climateresilient agriculture and ecosystem management.

People must be empowered with the knowledge and the means to become part of the solution, instead of becoming fence-sitters, or worse, being allowed to remain part of the problem.

We need stakeholders to get regularly involved. Making

communities climate-resilient demands mass participation on a continuing basis.

The challenge goes beyond disaster-preparedness, and extends to disaster-prevention through actions to mitigate climate change.

The fight against climate change will be a long one that might put our resources and patience to the test. We will need fortitude and tenacity.

We will need an upwelling of faith – in the Almighty, and in each other.

We have work to do, and so let us get it done, the sooner the better.

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje overseeing the planting project in Oslob, Cebu, December last year PHOTO FROM DENR

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from p.11)

“The Philippines is not waiting. We are addressing climate change to the maximum with our limited resources.”

Pachauri Climate Catastrophe keynotes source in the market. However, their crusades because, in the end, once the externalities of coal are it was the moral and right thing to OSI Confab do. (from p. 8)

factored in—such as the costs of pollution and healthcare—the Today, our generation is price of coal would be extremely called upon to advance another high and uneconomic. great crusade—one that involves

The International Energy a life-and-death struggle to Agency (IEA) estimates that there preserve the only habitat humans is some $400 billion in subsidies have ever known. devoted to coal and fossil fuels.

The crucial question is: This is a staggering amount of Are we too late to mitigate global subsidies, and they not only warming? Rapid carbon cuts are distort the market but also impose the only way to stop the severe powerful barriers—economic, impact of climate change. All political and psychological—that adaptation strategies in the world undermine the development of cannot prevent global warming. clean, alternate sources of energy. Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the Panel on

These barriers and the Intergovernmental Climate Change, believes that we myth of cheap coal continue to discourage the accelerated have very limited time, perhaps development of renewable energy. a few decades, to transition to a We must therefore help shape the low-carbon growth path. policy instruments to overcome Lima is therefore a pivotal these barriers. turning point: If there is no

In the long sweep of human successful negotiation in Lima, history, individual men and women, there will be no agreement in Paris moved only by a liberating vision, next year. This means that the door ignited civil movements that played to [holding temperatures to 2°C of a decisive role in social and political warming] will be closed forever, transformation. They succeeded in in the vivid words of IEA chief economist Fatih Birol.

“In the long sweep of human history, individual men and women, moved only by a liberating vision, played a decisive role in social and political transformation. Today, we are called to preserve the only habitat that humans have ever known.”

(from p.14)

and parcel of our quality of life and survival problem. The oceans must be a central component of IPCC deliberations on mitigation, adaptation, and technology transfer,” Alvarez declared.

Mr. Hector Soldi, an oceanographer and Delegate from Peru, noted how both the Philippines and his country “are facing the largest ocean in the world.” Although they enjoy the benefits of the extensive ocean, they also “share the risks and problems of climate change upon the oceans.”

Lauding the IOC announcement of the platform of oceans and climate for COP 21 in Paris, Soldi urged all to “call the attention of our politicians that oceans are not only a part of the problem but are part of the solution of climate change.”

Archbishop Ledesma and Bishop Tendero, Alvarez discussed the Interfaith Dialogue and the integrated river basin management approaches to climate change.

Having undertaken 6 regional dialogues in vulnerable cities, the religious leaders shared the strategy and output of the process, which included the “Declaration of Interfaith & Religious Organizations on Climate Change.”

Other panel discussions took up issues and best practices on ”Environmental Protection and Management” (chaired by Prof. Angela Wagener of Brazil) and ”Sustainability Strategies and Measures on Waste, Energy and Related Concerns” (chaired by Engr. Edwin Khew of Singapore).

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 25

Individual Responsibility vs Global Warming

Bishop Tendero elected CEO of WEA; Pantoja is new head of PCEC

By Monico Puentevella Mayor, Bacolod City

Bishop Efraim Tendero, national director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), was recently elected unanimously as secretary general and CEO of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) based in New York.

Commissioner Heherson T. Alvarez and DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje congratulated Bishop Tendero for his achievement as the first Filipino bishop to assume WEA’s top post.

“Those of us working with the Interfaith Dialogue sincerely hope that, with your new and broader responsibilities, you will not be abandoning us but rather enlarging and promoting the IFD mission on a grander scale,” Alvarez said in a congratulatory letter to Tendero.

Tendero has served 20 years as a national director of PCEC, which represents some 30,000 evangelical churches in the Philippines. Succeeding Tendero at PCEC is Bishop Noel Pantoja, who has been in ministry work for 29 years.

Pantoja, 58, has served as general director of the Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines.

A native of Sta. Maria, Laguna, Pantoja has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Columbian College and a master’s degree in theological studies from the Asian Theological Seminary in the Philippines and the Haggai Institute, Missions and Christian Leadership in Singapore.

26 THE 2014 IFD REPORT

we wait to do something about it, the more change we will have.

Our goal must be to bring global warming under control by curtailing the release of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. We can help immediately by becoming more energy efficient.

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limate change is the most serious

problem we face in the 21st century. Future generations are depending on us to do whatever we can to turn things around. Many people do not realize that we are committed right now to a significant amount of global warming and sea level rise… the longer

Reducing our use of oil, gasoline and coal also sets an example for others to follow. Ultimately, it is up to each of us, as individuals and families, to take action and slow down, and eventually reverse global warming through everyday awareness of our energy use, and attention to ways we can conserve electricity and minimize fossil fuel use.

The Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change is a positive step towards the right direction.

Acting against Climate Change

S

By Alfred Romualdez Mayor, Tacloban City

uper Typhoon Yolanda left us with the biggest humanitarian crisis this generation of Filipinos has ever faced. It also left us grappling with many questions.

Do storms of this ferocity happen only once every hundred years?

Or should we expect them to happen with increasing frequency, conceding that climate change is already upon us?

It’s all too easy to say that we will build back better. But more vital than rebuilding infrastructure is the enormous task of persuading our people to change their mindsets and attitudes about a lot of things.

One of the most important lessons I learned from the Yolanda experience is that as a people, we need to embrace the discomfort of learning and adopting new ideas that better address

today’s challenges, and at the same time, let go of cherished but outdated ways of doing things.

For the sake of the next generations, we need to see the value of choosing long-term sustainability over short-term economic gain.

Launching of 2014 IFD

March 14, 2014 Social Hall, Malaca単ang, Manila

Interfaith prayers were led by (beside Bishop Tendero, L-R): Imam Aleem Said Ahmed Basher, Rev. Dr. Timoteo Gener of the Asian Theological Seminary, Sr. Angie Villanueva of the Cenacle Sisters and Fo Guang Shan Philippines head abbess Venerable Miao Jing

Presentors were Ed Brown of Care of Creation, Atty.

Teresita Lacerna of IFC World Bank, and Ernalou A. del Rosario of Canon Philippines

MUSLIM WOMEN PHOTO FROM DENR

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 27

Cagayan de Oro City

May 29, 2014 Tourism Hall, City Hall Compound

Welcome remarks by Mayor Oscar Moreno (below, left). Presentors were Hadji Mohamad Gondarangin, President of Oro Jamaah Mosque (2nd picture, counterclockwise), Nicasio “Baylan Wali Bulusan” Dalumpay of Kumbasa Salamin, Engr. Dexter Lo, director of the Xavier University Engineering Resource Center, and Regional Director Ruth M. Tawantawan of DENR and co-chair of Cagayan de SOME PHOTOS FROM Oro River Basin Management Council MELISSA DIZON- DULALIA

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Tacloban City Sept. 2, 2014 Tacloban Bible Community

Welcome remarks delivered

by Mayor Alfred Romualdez (above, extreme right).

Presentors included Gen. Edwin Corvera (right) of Provincial Rehabilitation and Recovery Coordinator for Leyte and Leonardo R. Sibbaluca, Regional Executive Director of DENR PHOTOS FROM DENR

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11th Hour: 11 months after Yolanda A HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE

An assessment of Tacloban City 11 months from being devastated by typhoon Yolanda

October 8, 2014 Max’s Restaurant, Quezon City Memorial Circle

Presentors included (below clockwise): Atty. Karen Jimeno of Office of Presidential Asssistant for Rehabilition and Recovery, Asec. Vilma Cabrera of Department of Social Welfare and Development, Bernie Aton of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, Crispin Alvarado of Leyte Union Producers of Agricultural Products, and Rev. Daniel FROM MEL DIZON-DULALIA Pantoja of PCEC PHOTOS AND ANNABELLE LIM

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Marikina City

October 16, 2014 I am the Redeemer and Master Church Fellowship Center

Welcome remarks delivered by Vice Mayor Fabian Cadiz (4th picture clockwise). Presentors include Atty.

Analiza Teh of DENR (at the left of Mayor Cadiz’ picture), Ms. Amina Rasul-Bernardo of PCID (above Atty.

Teh’s picture), Ms. Virgie Banaga of Tulungan sa Kabuhayan sa Calawis and Albert Molas of Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City PHOTOS FROM DENR

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Bacolod City

November 4, 2014 Nature’s Village Resort Talisay City, Negros Occidental

Ms. Edna Locsin and Dir. Jim Sampulna of DENR Region VI (below, extreme left), Fr. Rodrigo Anoran head of CCCP Bago River Watershed spoke during the event. Bishop Noel Pantoja also discussed the Mobilization of FaithBased Communities. Mayor Monico Puentevella (below, extreme right) welcomed delegates during afternoon session PHOTOS FROM DENR AND MEL DIZON-DULALIA

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Naga City

November 14, 2014 Ateneo de Naga University

Welcome remarks delivered by Ateneo de Naga’s President, Primitivo Viray Jr. (2nd picture, counter clockwise, left) Naga City Mayor John Bongat (at the right of Viray’s picture) delivered his remarks.

Presentors included Atty. Angel Ojastro III, consultant of World Bank and DILG, Dr. Emelina G. Regis (below, extreme left) director of Institute of Environmental Conservation and Research, Mr. Elmer T. Sto. Domingo of Center for Community Development and DENR Regional Director Gilbert C. Gonzales of Region V PHOTOS FROM DENR

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Closing Session of 2014 IFD

November 21, 2014 Social Hall, Malacaﾃｱang, Manila

Speakers include CCC Vice Chair Mary Ann Lucille Sering (above left), Commissioner Naderev Saﾃｱo (below left), Mr. Leonardo Sibbaluca and Asec. Marcial Amaro Jr of DENR PHOTOS FROM DENR AND OFFICE OF COMM. NADEREV SAﾃ前

The 40-day Climate Walk, started in Luneta, Manila on Oct. 2, 2014 and ended in Tacloban City on Nov. 8, 2014 34 THE 2014 IFD REPORT

Alvarez in action

Meeting with Norway Secretary of State

Interview at DZMM

Commissioner Heherson T. Alvarez meets with Norway Secretary of State, Secretary Lars Andreas Lunde at the 2014 Delhi Sustainable Development Summit on Feb. 6, 2014.

Alvarez spoke about the Philippines experience with typhoon Haiyan.

Commissioner Alvarez interviewed on climate change mitigation and adaptation at DZMM with host, former Senator Joey Lina on May 25, 2014.

MOU signing between OCHTA-CCC and DOE for alternative energy use Commissioner Alvarez (2nd from left) and Department of Energy Undersecretary Raul Aguilos sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Mabini Hall, Malaca単ang on May 14, 2014. Also in photo are Assistant Secretary Rex D. Lores (OES), (extreme left) and Director Carmencita Bariso (DOE). The MoU promotes use of renewable energy sources in Local Government Units, particularly small communities without access to electricity.

THE 2014 IFD REPORT 35

Alvarez in action

(from p. 35)

Alvarez and IPCC Chair Rajendra Pachauri at Delhi Summit Dr Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (left) and Commissioner Alvarez in New Delhi, India discussing climate change developments. Pachauri’s IPCC was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Alvarez addressed the annual 2015 Delhi Sustainable Development Summit on February 7, 2015.

MOA signing for Green Building Project with PGBI Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI) chairman emeritus Engr. Larry Punsalan (left), Commissioner Alvarez (center), and PGBI president Arch. Amado de Jesus ink a memorandum to promote green building standards on October 29, 2014.

Planting trees with DOH

Commissioner Alvarez (right) plants trees with the Department of Health (DOH) officials to combat global warming at Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City.

Joining UN Climate March in NY

Commissioner Alvarez participates in the Climate March during the UN Gen. Assembly held in New York City, USA in September 2014.

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DECLARATION OF INTERFAITH GROUPS ON CLIMATE CHANGE

WE, the representatives of various Faith-based and Religious Organizations in the Philippines assembled during the Second Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change held in Malacañan Palace, Manila on March 14, 2014 and after a series of six regional Interfaith dialogues in Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Quezon City, Marikina, Bacolod, and Naga culminating in the Third National Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change held in Malacañan Palace, Manila on 21 November 2014;

AFFIRMING that the Earth is a gift given by the Creator to all living creatures, and that humankind is a co-steward of the environment;

RECOGNIZING that social justice entails both an individual and communal responsibility in the use of the world’s finite resources for the good of humanity as a whole;

REALIZING, as the international scientific community has proven beyond doubt, that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have degraded our environment to the point of endangering all the life on our planet;

ACCEPTING that the Philippines, while it is one of the least culpable countries for climate change, remains one of the most vulnerable to accelerated sea level rise, increasingly more destructive typhoons, floods, and drought;

HOPING for more aggressive and concerted actions to mitigate global warming and prevent the 2oC increase in mean global temperature towards irreversible climate change and universal catastrophe;

PROCLAIMING our common but differentiated responsibility, with some 1,500 religious leaders, including Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and indigenous peoples to address the challenges of climate change within the context of sustainable development, social justice, and the teachings of our various Faiths;

WHEREFORE, WE HEREBY AGREE THAT:

FIRST, we must strive to love and protect the whole of Creation and to favour justice, promote reconciliation, and build peace.

SECOND, we must alleviate poverty and climate adversity through decisive societal reforms by pursuing climate justice, equity, as well as global and national transformation that ensure intergenerational justice.

THIRD, we pledge to work together, individually and collectively, to promote and inculcate in our people a strong philosophy of conservation and a fuller understanding of global warming and its complex perils to all life on our planet.

FOURTH, we encourage our Government and our national and local leaders to take all adaptation and mitigation strategies necessary to safeguard and care for God’s Creation.

FIFTH, we urge the Philippine Government to pursue a rational transition of the national economy towards the green prosperity of the Filipino people by significantly cutting greenhouse gases and undertaking a broader use and reliance on renewable energy resources.

SIXTH, we urgently call on the international community to support the goals of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and to uphold climate justice, particularly for the most vulnerable countries.

DONE in Malacañan Palace, Manila, Republic of the Philippines this Twenty First Day of November in the Year Two Thousand and Fourteen.

Principal Signatories: Climate Change Commissioner Heherson T. Alvarez, Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma of CCCP, Bishop Efraim M. Tendero of the PCEC, Asec Marcial Amaro and Region VIII Director Leonardo Sibbaluca for DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje

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Basic IFD objectives

4. To address the issues of profligate consumption and wasteful use of resources;

1. To help broaden knowledge and understanding on climate change issues, among religious leaders, laity and their communities; 2. To support programs of various religious communities promoting environmental protection and conservation;

5. To raise public understanding of responsible stewardship in the management of natural resources;

3. To help connect and strengthen interfaith environmental advocates across the country in a wider process of coordination and cooperation;

6. To enhance the citizenry’s ethical outlook by stressing moral responsibility and our obligations to future generations.

PHOTO FROM MS. MEL DULALIA

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MEMBERS (L-R): A. Lim, E. Famador, A. San Diego-Bermillo, E. Tendero, A. Rasul-Bernardo, H. Alvarez, B. Formanes, R. Lores, B. Felix, A. Domingo, L. Miano (former staff ), M. Dizon-Dulalia, and I. Samonte (Not in the photo: C. Aquino, R. Mariñas, K. Manapat, J. Sarip)

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE ASSISTANT SECRETARY REX D. LORES Office of the Execuive Secretary

ADONA SAN DIEGO-BERMILLO Department of Environment and Natural Resources MELISSA GRACE DIZONDULALIA Climate Change Commission

Eva Marie Famador Christian Convergence for Good Governance

COHNEY AQUINO Department of Environment and Natural Resources ANNABELLE LIM Christian Convergence for Good Governance

Belinda Formanes Climate Change Congress of the Philippines

ResURRECION Mariñas Climate Change Commission

ANALYN DOMINGO Climate Change Commission

JAMAEL SARIP Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy

Isabelo Samonte Climate Change Congress of the Philippines

Kat Manapat Climate Change Commission

38 THE 2014 IFD REPORT

Bernadette Felix Climate Change Commission

CONVENING ORGANZATIONS PHILIPPINE COUNCIL OF EVANGELICAL CHURCHES (PCEC) PCEC is the largest network of evangelical denominations, local churches and parachurch and missions organizations in the country which seeks to discipline the Philippines for the Lord Jesus, and thereby help establish a society where peace, justice and righteousness reign; where everyone has a decent standard of living; and where Christ is recognized as Lord and Savior of all.

CLIMATE CHANGE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES (CCCP) The CCCP is a multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary and community-based coalition of organizations, individuals and communties pursuing the struggle against catastrophic climate change within the context of asset reform and social justice. It was formally founded in November 2009.

PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR ISLAM AND DEMOCRACY (PCID) PCID was the result of the concerned discussions on the compatibility of Islam and democracy among youth Muslim intellectuals. Established in 2002, the Council is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to the study of Islamic and democratic political thought and the search for peace, democracy and equitable and sustainable development in Muslim communities. PCID made the transition from the Council to Center in June 2010. PCID has become an important platform for the articulation of Moro voices through various publications and forums focusing on the issues of the peace process, Islam and democracy, autonomy, and development.

CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION (CCC) CCC is tasked to help undertake pioneering projects that advance renewable energy technology in the Philippines, reduce all forms of pollution, and enhance the environment. It is also the sole-policy making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the programs of the government relating to climate change. It is an autonomous body with the status of a national government agency.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DENR) Executive Order No 192 mandates the DENR to be the primary government agency responsible for the conservation, management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources, specifically forest and grazing lands, mineral resources, including those in reservation and watershed areas, and lands of public domain, as well as the licensing and regulation of all natural resources as may be provided for by law in order to ensure equitable sharing of benefits derived therefrom the welfare of present and future generations of Filipinos.

SUPPORTING AGENCIES Special Thanks to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its gracious support Christian Convergence for Good Governance Tacloban Bible Community

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