Amid the threat of global warming, a forum seeking to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration in implementing critical strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation was conducted on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Pasay City.

CLIMACTION, a pre-COP 28 initiative, convened government officials, business leaders, agricultural stakeholders, and the youth sector to discuss the implementation of the Philippine National Adaptation Plan (PNAP) and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs).

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report underscores the pressing need for a 43 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to curb the devastating impacts already witnessed worldwide. The Philippines, being among the most vulnerable nations, has experienced an increased frequency of severe weather events, resulting in substantial loss of life and property.

Secretary Robert Borje of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) emphasized the significance of public-private partnerships in shaping climate policies aligned with low-carbon, climate-smart, and sustainable development pathways.

“The government cannot do it alone so we need a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach and that includes the business sector, they need to invest also becomes a good business sense kasi (because) businesses also need to adapt and what is important is that our government is able to provide the incentives and the support needed so that our businesses become strong have the adoptive capacity and they are able to invest also in making their companies and organizations as strong or as climate adaptive as possible,” he said in an ambush interview.

Asked about the upcoming COP 28, Borje said: “We’ve been participating in the preparatory meetings towards COP 28 and we still are trying to push as much as we can the interest of the Philippines on key issues particularly loss and damage and the loss and damage fund and the need to improve adaptation and reflect the progress in the global but most importantly the things that we have done well and even the things that we have not done well so we are able to reach out.”

Meanwhile, the private sector, represented by Nestlé Philippines, acknowledged its responsibility to align climate and sustainability goals with PNAP and NDC, with a focus on mitigating GHG emissions towards achieving net-zero targets.

GMA Network, in partnership with Nestlé PH and the CCC, demonstrated its commitment to environmental advocacy by deepening efforts to raise awareness about the country's plastic waste problem and promoting the reduce, reuse, and recycle mantra.

Kais Marzouki, chairman and CEO of Nestlé Philippines, emphasized the imperative of collective action and partnerships across sectors in addressing climate change.

“With our collective will and the synergy of our strengths, we can overcome the challenges to the Earth’s climate and even improve it. Then life on the planet will survive and thrive into the future,” he stated.

The forum served as a crucial platform for dialogue on climate action and collaboration within the country as the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference approaches.