Policy

Global cooperation

Since the scope of climate change is global, climate policy by necessity is developed and implemented at the international level.

On this scale, the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been instrumental in defining the general policy directions that will ensure the engagement of countries in effective mitigation and adaptation activities. Many of these activities have been spelled out as commitments under Articles 4 and 12 of this convention. Other policy areas are directed towards supporting research and systematic observation (Article 5), and promoting education, training, and public awareness (Article 6).

The Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted by the UNFCCC's Conference of the Parties (COP) in 1997 and enters in force on 16 February 2005, sets specific targets and timetables for meeting these emissions targets. The Protocol requires developed countries (historically the biggest contibutors of GHGs) to reduce their emissions in 2008 to 2012 by an average of about 5.2% below that of 1990 levels. The Protocol also sets into motion market mechanisms like emissions trading, joint implementation and the clean development mechanism to enable compliance of developed countires with their emission targets while at the same time enhancing clean and sustainable development in developing countries.

Regional groups, like the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are likewise setting into motion policies that would promote regional cooperation in tackling climate change.

The implementation of global and regional climate policy can be effective only insofar as it can be translated ultimately to the national and local level. The development of a national or local climate policy necessarily takes into account the overlaps that occur in complementary environmental policy initiatives, such as the Philippine Clean Air Act, the Clean Water bill, the Renewable Energy bill, the Solid Waste Management Act, forest policies and regulations, biodiversity, and the like.) It should likewise consider the geographic differences in climate impacts and vulnerability, as well as the resources needed by communities to address these.

National and local action plans on climate change adaptation and emissions reduction have been initiated.

Role of the Philippines under the Kyoto Protocol

Since the Philippines is a developing country, it is not legally bound to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. In an act of foresight, even before the Kyoto Protocol and the UNFCCC were drafted, the Philippines took the initiative to form the Inter-Agency Committee on Climate change (IACCC) in 1991, composed of 15 government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) to provide the government technical support on matters concerning climate change. The Philippines was one of the first countries in the world to create a National Action Plan on Climate Change (1997).

There are mechanisms established under the Kyoto Protocol that developing countries can benefit from especially in increasing investment flows and in reaching their sustainable development goals. One of these is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which is a flexibility mechanism that allows governments or private entities in developed countries to implement emission reduction projects in developing countries while developed countries receive carbon credit in the form of "certified emission reductions" or CERs.  In order to participate in the CDM, the Philippines ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 20 November 2003.

Developing countries that are interested in participating in the CDM are expected to establish a Designated National Authority (DNA). The Philippines has already identified its DNA, which is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and is currently drafting the CDM implementing rules and regulations including the National Approval Process for the DNA.