UN Special Rapporteur Recognizes PH Efforts on Climate Change, Calls for International Support for Climate-Vulnerable Countries

UN Special Rapporteur Ian Fry with PH government representatives during an exit conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs. (DFA OPCD Photos by Camille C. Barizo)

PASAY CITY 15 November 2023 – Philippine Government officials met with the UN Special Rapporteur (SR) on climate change and human rights, Dr. Ian Fry, at the conclusion of his 10-day official country visit.

Representatives from the Climate Change Commission, Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, among others, participated in the exit conference held at the Department of Foreign Affairs this morning. 

The Government invited Dr. Fry to the Philippines as part of its open and constructive engagement on human rights with relevant United Nations (UN) mechanisms. The Philippines is also the main sponsor of annual resolutions on the impact of climate change on human rights in the UN Human Rights Council.

Dr. Fry expressed sincere gratitude for the “hospitality and openness” of government authorities and stakeholders throughout his visit. Dr. Fry held dialogues with national and local government officials and communities, as well as civil society organizations, and noted discussions were “frank and constructive.” He conducted site visits across the country, including in Manila, Valenzuela City, Leyte, and Iloilo City.

He shared a summary of his preliminary observations and emphasized that the Philippines has “very good policies and legislation” on climate change, yet more needed to be done. He underscored the critical role of the international community, particularly developed countries, to provide enhanced climate financing and support to the Philippines and other vulnerable countries to effectively combat climate change.

In this context, Dr. Fry cited the relevance of the Loss and Damage Fund under the UN Conference of Parties (COP) to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the need to make it meaningful and operational.  If it will not deliver on its promise, other international and regional mechanisms were required to provide countries like the Philippines with much-needed financing, capacity-building and technical assistance to address the climate change crisis.

Climate Change Commission Vice-Chair, Secretary Robert Borje stressed that the issue was about “lives, livelihood and future generations.”

Secretary Borje likewise underscored that international support for loss and damage must be ramped up and emphasized that as details of the Loss and Damage Fund are still being ironed out, Annex 1 Parties as well as carbon majors need to deliver on scaled up Means of Implementation on climate finance, capacity building and technology development to developing countries as commitments under UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement as survival of developing nations and the fundamental human right to life are impacted by compliance with these treaty obligations and moral imperative. He added that developing nations least responsible for global warming and climate change take on disproportionate onus of the responsibility.

Dr. Fry highlighted the Philippines’ good practices in terms of action at the local levels and mainstreaming gender-related issues, being “more progressive than a lot of other countries.” He also noted the work of the Commission on Human Rights on the responsibility of large petroleum companies.

With respect to Dr. Fry’s comments on political and security matters, the Government urged the Special Rapporteur to have a more comprehensive appreciation of the Philippine context and engage in genuine dialogue with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Undersecretary Severo Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat conveyed the Government’s willingness to further engage the SR to clarify ongoing complex challenges which he may not have fully appreciated during his short visit. This will ensure a broader perspective that will inform an objective, constructive, and complete report, he explained.

DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Almojuela underscored the Philippines’ commitment to play its part as a responsible actor in the fight against climate change. She mentioned the Philippines’ new Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework with the UN 2024-2028 which makes climate action and resilience a joint strategic priority for activities at the national, local, regional and international levels. She also brought attention to government efforts for skills upgrading and promoting a just transition to a low carbon economy.

In closing, Secretary Borje, Undersecretary Catura and Assistant Secretary Almojuela all highlighted the vibrancy of Philippine democracy, the openness to engage in dialogue, and the commitment to work together with the UN and other stakeholders to advance global and national commitments to climate change and human rights instruments.

Dr. Fry’s final report will be submitted and considered by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2024. END