The Climate Change Commission (CCC) is starting to develop a science-based national adaptation plan that would outline the country's strategies on building resilience against the impact of a rapidly changing climate. The CCC held its first multi-stakeholder consultation Tuesday, attended by representatives from national and local government agencies, academic and scientific institutions, civil society, private and development sectors. 'Multi Stakeholder consultation is a crucial step in developing our first National Adaptation Plan. To come up with a science-based, fit-for-purpose, and country-driven NAP, we need to bring together our diverse range of knowledge and expertise on advancing climate resilience in pursuit of sustainable development,' CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said. The CCC envisions the NAP to respond to the actual and anticipated risks and vulnerabilities of sectors and communities to climate change. CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera noted that it builds upon the identified priority thematic sectors of the National Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2028 and acknowledges the growing risks for the country and the world as warned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in their 6th Assessment Report. "It underscores the importance of risk profiling, risk assessment, and risk management needed to increase the adaptive capacity of communities through technology development and capacity building, projecting future and multiple scenarios impacts,' she said. The CCC has mobilized its contact groups with partners and stakeholders for the NAP which include the Accelerating Climate Action and Transformation for Local Communities network, for LGUs; Empowering Nurtured Alliance for Climate action and Transformation for development partners; Working to Empower Climate Action Network for civil society organizations; and Communicating Opportunities to Network, Navigate, and Explore Climate Transformation for private sector partners. These groups would be instrumental in the NAP development process. Borje, during the consultation, reaffirmed the CCC's commitment to strengthen collaboration and collective action, following the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in scaling up investments that drive economic transformation. The consultation was supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the British Embassy Manila
Source: Philippines News Agency
