The Climate Change Commission (CCC) called for the urgent delivery of global commitment to climate action, particularly the funding for climate-related loss and damage, citing the role of governments to act on its mandates.

CCC Vice Chair and Executive Director Robert Borje said this during the 18th Meeting of the Warsaw International Mechanism Executive Committee (WIM EXCOM-18) in Manila over the weekend, following the 27th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP-27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

During the meeting, Borje recognized the effort of the WIM but encouraged the EXCOM and observers to further fast-track the work on the loss and damage agenda.

"There is still a lot of work ahead of us," he said.

"We need to deliver on our mandates and our roles more urgently and collectively to transform developing countries' vulnerabilities and loss and damage to greater climate resilience," he added.

According to Borje, it was important for the WIM EXCOM must provide input to the work of the Transitional Committee to ensure the mainstreaming of action of support strategies under the second five-year rolling work plan adopted by the parties at COP27.

In a statement, the CCC said the WIM EXCOM convened to discuss the milestone decision on funding arrangements for loss and damage, the enabling mechanisms to fully operationalize the Santiago Network, and the EXCOM's second five-year rolling work plan.

The Santiago Network aims to connect vulnerable developing countries with providers of technical assistance, knowledge, and resources they need to address climate risks comprehensively.

Among the Philippines' observations during the meeting were on the work of the WIM with other UNFCCC constituted bodies and operating entities of the financial mechanisms, the EXCOM's work plan, the comprehensive risk management approaches, and the facilitation and cooperation on action and support for developing countries.

In particular, the CCC highlighted the need for the best available science and the best available technology to guide the work on averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage.

"It is through the best available science and technology, governance, and investments that we can advance our transformation towards becoming climate-smart and climate-resilient nations," Borje said.

The CCC likewise stressed that using state-of-the-art methodologies for comprehensive risk assessments is crucial as these assessments ensure that climate actions are science- and evidence-based and fit-for-purpose.

The Philippines has been actively engaged in the international discussion on loss and damage.
It is one of the countries pushing for dedicated space to discuss funding arrangements for loss and damage – now the COP27 breakthrough agreement.

In the lead-up to COP28, the CCC, in coordination with other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, is working on formulating and updating national positions on critical issues, including loss and damage.

The COP28 will take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, 2023, in Dubai.