Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 7) — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the local government unit’s inclusion of climate initiatives in its top agenda is a declaration that a climate emergency exists in the city.
In a text message to CNN Philippines on Sunday, Belmonte said the city has been addressing climate change since her first term began in 2019.
“I believe the fact that climate initiatives are among the top agenda items of our administration since 2019 when I first became mayor and is already an explicit and implicit declaration that a climate emergency exists. Otherwise why would we have put it among our city’s top priorities?” she told CNN Philippines.
Belmonte included the environment and climate change in her 14-point agenda, with the goal to build a livable, green and sustainable city.
“We are the only city in the country that has created a Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department solely for the purpose of addressing and advocating for climate justice,” Belmonte said.
The Quezon City Council passed a resolution declaring a state of climate emergency in 2019. Under the resolution, the city can implement actions to combat the crisis and promote disaster preparedness. It will also review its action plan and future budgets to ensure it has funds for programs aimed at mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis.
Belmonte said they have been meeting with international stakeholders to get good case practices on lowering carbon emissions, improving air quality, and sustainability.
In the past week, Belmonte met virtually with the Osaka City vice mayor to exchange information about their initiatives to achieve their mutual goal of reducing carbon emissions.
In the same meeting, the LGU highlighted its Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2050, which has technical and financial support from the international community. Through this comprehensive plan, Quezon City aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% in 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050.
City officials also met with representatives of the United Nations Development Programme to discuss its sustainability and waste management programs.
Quezon City is the only Philippine locality which is a member of C40, a global alliance of megacities actively promoting climate justice. With the help of the network, the LGU is working on initiatives to address air pollution and improve air quality.
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay earlier declared a state of climate emergency in the financial district and vowed to step up LGU efforts to combat climate change.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/8/6/Makati-under-state-of-climate-emergency.html
