Climate Change Commissioner Albert dela Cruz
MANILA — In the pursuit of stringent carbon policies aligned with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, Climate Change Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz Sr. is championing a vulnerability assessment-based approach for a 75 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors from 2020 to 2030.
At the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, Dela Cruz commended Quezon City for earning recognition from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) as one of the world’s top 119 cities in effective climate action.
The city’s A-list status is attributed to environmental data disclosed through its Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan (ELCCAP).
As the portfolio holder for GHG emissions and carbon trading at the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Dela Cruz emphasizes the urgency of involving vulnerable communities in the Philippines in climate initiatives.
He underscores the need for a nationwide emissions inventory and a climate action plan grounded in risk and vulnerability assessments, aligning with adaptation goals for addressing climate hazards.
Dela Cruz notes the absence of explicit carbon pricing in the Philippines and highlights that fuel excise taxes implicitly cover 52.4 percent of emissions.
Recognizing the climate emergency, he commended legislators for supporting essential legislation to allocate resources for climate action.
In response to last year’s approximately 146.5 million tons of CO2 emissions from energy consumption, the government revised its target to achieve a minimum 75 percent reduction by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Dela Cruz’s advocacy centers on creating a livable, green, sustainable, and climate-resilient future, emphasizing the significance of including vulnerable communities in the nation’s climate initiatives.
(ai/mnm)