25 JANUARY 2021, Quezon City — The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) applauded House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda’s filing of House Resolution No. 1494, which calls on the Climate Change Commission (CCC) to deliver the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), or climate pledge, to the Paris Agreement.

The resolution, filed last January 21, calls on the House of Representatives to ensure the CCC submits the NDC “conveying the highest possible climate ambition in reflection of the government’s strong commitment to climate justice”, not only because of our commitment to the Paris Agreement but also “in solidarity with worldwide vulnerable communities and the global community’s resolve to address the climate emergency and promote a sustainable pandemic recovery.”

Reacting to the resolution, Rex Barrer, head of ICSC’s climate governance team, said:

“The country needs an ambitious climate action plan that actually reflects major changes underway in the economy. To survive and thrive amidst the climate emergency and the pandemic, we need plans to be anchored on a bold economy-wide investment agenda. Deputy Speaker Legarda’s resolution, which cites both the climate and COVID crises, is the proper role of the House of Representatives as it exercises oversight on the country’s climate and energy policy.

“Legarda’s resolution is correct to cite significant advances made by the Department of Energy, Department of Finance, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Interior and Local government, and the CCC, in reflecting President Duterte’s climate justice declarations and his sense of climate ambition. The positive impact generated by the work of these agencies must be fully reflected in our NDC so we can continue to credibly call out rich countries and the criminal neglect of their climate responsibility.”

ABOUT ICSC

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities is a Manila-based international policy group advancing climate resilience and low carbon development.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR

ICSC has partnered with the Netherlands Embassy in Manila to launch the webinar series “Climate Change and COVID-19: Adapting to Two New Normals”. This is part of the Global Climate Adaptation Summit (CAS) 2021 to be hosted by the Netherlands today until tomorrow, January 25-26. The first episode will be streamed tomorrow at 9 AM Manila time via Zoom and the ICSC and Netherlands Embassy in the Philippines Facebook pages.

CONTACT

Denise Fontanilla, media@icsc.ngo, +63 917 851 4890

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