Legarda: PHL Marks Earth Day with Paris Agreement Entry Into Force

On Earth Day (April 22), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change will enter into force for the Philippines, Senator Loren Legarda today said.

"Earth Day will once again be historic for the Philippines as it will mark the commencement of the Paris Agreement's legal force and effect in our country. It will also mark a great start to our journey towards a resilient and sustainable future," said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience.

The Philippine Mission to the United Nations deposited the country's Instrument of Accession to the UN Treaty Section on March 23, 2017. It will enter into force for the Philippines after 30 days, on April 22.

The Senator explained that one of the immediate effects of the Agreement's entry into force is that the Philippines will no longer be just an observer in the next meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement or the CMA.

"It is important that we actively participate in the CMA so that we continue to advance our country's interests. We need to exercise governance, oversight, leadership and decision-making in the implementation of the Agreement," said Legarda.

Since the Paris Agreement allows the country access to international climate finance mechanisms, Legarda said that it is important for the government to immediately identify programs that can be funded.

"We can acquire support from developed countries for adaptation, mitigation, technology development and transfer, and capacity building. These could help finance the development and roll out of our early warning systems, comprehensive risk assessment and management tools, and other capacity-building projects and programs that would make our communities more resilient to climate change," she stressed.

In line with this, Legarda said that the creation of local climate change action plans (LCCAP) of all cities, municipalities, and provinces in the country must be fast. These LCCAPs can be the tools to access grant-based funding from international climate funds.

"We must build capacities of local communities to adapt to climate change impacts and eventually contribute to mitigation," she said.

"The Paris Agreement is a testament of solidarity and a call for global climate action. It shows that developing nations and developed countries could pursue climate action and uphold climate justice together. For our part, we must ensure that our own people are climate-engaged and our communities are gearing towards the sustainable path," Legarda concluded.