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Metro Manila
Go for green: Makati holds second State of the Environment Address
Go for green: Makati holds second State of the Environment Address
Following the success of its climate change efforts and initiatives that also earned the attention of the international community, the Makati City local government held its second State of the Environment Address outlining the city's latest achievements in promoting sustainability and climate action.
(Photo from Makati LGU)
Held at the Session Hall of the city hall and spearheaded by Makati City Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo on behalf of Mayor Abby Binay, the event updated the public on Makati's green initiatives which include stricter waste management protocols, expansion of green spaces, and improving the air quality of the city.
"Bukod pa rito, binigyang-diin niya ang pagtaas ng community engagement sa mga programang pangkalikasan, na nagpapakita ng lumalaking kamalayan at aktibong partisipasyon ng bawat Makatizen sa pangangalaga sa ating kapaligiran (Aside from this, Lagdameo stressed the city's efforts in boosting community engagement in environmental programs which shows the heightened level of awareness and participation of Makatizens in taking care of the environment)," Binay said.
The local government unit also held its Gawad Kalikasan Awards recognizing individuals and groups that led in the cleaning and greening projects of Makati.
"Sa pamamagitan ng pagkilala sa mga nangunguna sa cleaning and greening ng ating lungsod, hinahangad nating magsilbing inspirasyon ito sa mas marami pang barangay, paaralan, ahensya ng gobyerno, at maging private institutions na maging champions ng kalikasan (By recognizing those who led in the cleaning and greening projects of our city, we hope that this will also serve as an inspiration for more barangays, schools, branches of the government, and even private institutions to become champions of the environment)," Binay stressed.
OPCC
In May, Makati City has been named as one of the three cities in the country to earn the spot as a national finalist in the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) prestigious One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) 2023-2024 which recognizes the efforts and initiatives of LGUs around the world against climate change.
Joining Makati City as finalists were Baguio City and Tagum City.
"This distinction not only celebrates Makati's environmental achievements but also sets us as a leader in ecological responsibility among over 350 cities from 50 countries," the city said.
According to WWF, nearly 900 cities participated in the OPCC in just over 10 years, with more joining the cause.
"This friendly biennial global competition aims to help cities deliver the commitments in the Paris Agreement to limit the rise in global temperature to below 1.5°C. It also commends cities that are actively advancing their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts, maintaining a well-rounded approach aligned with their objectives," the WWF said.
"As cities contribute over 70 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and consume more than 75 percent of their natural resources, their efforts in planning, implementing, and monitoring climate action are crucial for transitioning to a low-carbon and sustainable future," it added.
The organization explained that all OPCC participating cities received a “Strategic Feedback Report” based on the climate data reported by them which contained an assessment of their climate journey, highlighting both the city's successes in the climate arena and other areas where improvement is needed.
It also offers a list of recommended effective mitigation and adaptation actions to help the city better address the impacts of global warming.
"All OPCC finalists will be evaluated by an international jury composed of leading experts within the field of urban sustainability from around the globe. National and global winners will be announced publicly by September-October 2024," it added.