Legarda to Champion Climate Justice in Madrid Climate Change Conference

Deputy Speaker and Lone District of Antique Representative Loren Legarda is set to head the Philippine Delegation to the 25^th Conference of Parties (COP25) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from December 6 to 12, 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

Legarda underscored that this year’s UN climate talks will be critical in the Philippines’ pursuit for climate justice by calling on heads of state, climate officials, public and private organizations, and world leaders to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015 and entered into force in 2016.

To date, 184 Parties to the UNFCCC have already ratified the Paris Agreement, including the Philippines, which acceded in 2017 after Legarda sponsored it in the Senate as Chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations.

“We come to this year’s UN climate talks to unite our voices with our fellow developing countries in the urgent call for climate justice. We maintain the resolve to urge developed nations to provide us sufficient climate finance, technologies, and means for capacity building to aid us as we face the intensifying impacts of climate change,” Legarda said.

“The Paris Agreement has set the year 2020 for countries to submit their own Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are essentially country commitments to limit global warming below two degrees and further to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as agreed upon in the climate deal. Achieving its 1.5 goal entails greater ambition, stronger resolve, and faster action from all countries,” Legarda explained.

“Coming to this year’s COP, we are hopeful that the developed nations or those that have the historical accountability for climate change will do their fair share to combat this climate crisis,” Legarda added.

On behalf of the Government of the Philippines, Deputy Speaker Legarda will deliver the country’s National Statement at the High-Level Segment, where heads of state, heads of delegation, and world leaders will also deliver their national statements.

Legarda will also deliver a keynote speech and participate in the panel discussion at the Ocean and Climate Change—Contribution of Space Technology, organized by the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF). With fellow members of the jury for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Green Champions, she is set to present the winners in recognition of individuals and organizations who are driving climate transformation at the global and national level.

At the Parliamentary Breakfast of the Global Renewables Congress, Legarda will also deliver a statement on her insights and experiences as a legislator in closing the gap between ambition and action in implementing the Paris Agreement, especially in the aspect of renewable energy development. She will also convey the Philippines’ expectations, priorities, and challenges for next year’s COP, at the Panel Discussion on ASEAN Priorities for COP26, organized by the Government of the United Kingdom.

As Commissioner of the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA), Deputy Speaker Legarda will speak at the High-Level Forum of GCA Convening Countries: Raising Ambition Ahead of the 2020 Climate Adaptation Summit, which will also mark the Commission’s Year of Action. She will also attend the ASEAN dinner hosted by Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Singapore Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

Legarda is also scheduled to meet with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa; and Ms. Claire O’Neill, President-designate for COP26 to discuss the UK’s hosting for next year’s UN climate talks.

Legarda’s inspiring advocacy has earned her global recognition as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum and a UNEP Laureate. She is currently UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience, UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion, and Alternate Member to the Governing Board of the Green Climate Fund.

“The gathering of world leaders in this year’s COP must be responsive to the call of our youth and advocates in the global climate strikes and show that nations are committed to do what they should do in this state of climate emergency. Expect the Philippines together with other developing countries to champion climate justice—to demand what is right and fair for us highly vulnerable countries,” Legarda concluded.

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The public is invited to monitor events of COP25 and of Deputy Speaker Legarda through the following channels:

• Website – lorenlegarda.com.ph
• Facebook – facebook.com/conglorenlegarda
• Twitter – twitter.com/loren_legarda
• Instagram – instagram.com/iamlorenlegarda