The Philippines has formally committed to reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030, the Department of Finance (DOF) announced on Thursday, Nov. 11.
In a statement, the DOF said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently transmitted President Duterte’s letter to the government of the United Kingdom formalizing Manila’s commitment to the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use.
President Duterte said in his letter to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the action areas expressed in the Leaders’ Declaration are consistent with the targets and goals of the Philippines in attaining sustainable forest management.
The Philippines’ support for the Leaders’ Declaration was upon the recommendation of Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, who is also the Chairman-designate of the Climate Change Commission (CCC).
Dominguez led the Philippine delegation to the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.
The action areas expressed in the Declaration include conserving forests and other terrestrial ecosystems and accelerating their restoration.
The Declaration also covers facilitation of trade and development policies—internationally and domestically—that promote sustainable development along with sustainable commodity production and consumption that work to countries’ mutual benefit.
Last Nov. 2, Prime Minister Johnson announced that over 100 countries, including China, Russia, and Brazil, had signed the Leaders’ Declaration. The Philippines was also among the countries in the list.
In his letter, President Duterte said the Declaration is also consistent with the Philippines’ National Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2028.
President Duterte also pointed out that “sustainable and resilient agriculture and forestry are essential for commodity production and achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).”
Last Nov. 1, Dominguez affirmed the Philippines’ support to the Declaration during a meeting with Richard Graham, member of Parliament for Gloucester, and the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to the ASEAN Economic Community.
Graham also discussed with Dominguez the issue of green finance and the Philippines’ initiatives to combat climate change during the meeting.
Dominguez cited the importance of the “blended approach” or the sustainable orchestration of grants, investments, and subsidies to make climate finance work for its beneficiaries.