In an unprecedented show of unity at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, more than 80 countries from across the global north and south have joined forces to demand what should have been established decades ago—a comprehensive roadmap to phase out fossil fuels.
The Climate Reality Project Philippines joins hundreds of civil society organizations in expressing dismay over the outcome of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee’s second part of the fifth session for a global agreement to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5.2).
Instead of a robust and legally binding Global Plastics Treaty that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics—from extraction of raw materials to production and design to product use and to disposal—the world is left to wait in the dark as the talks once again failed to reach an agreement.
If the World Bank is serious about supporting clean, affordable energy for developing nations, then doubling down on nuclear and fossil gas — expensive, harmful, and higher in emissions — contradicts its commitment and will only stagnate progress on global energy transition as a solution to the climate crisis. The Climate Reality Project Philippines maintains that only an accelerated transition to renewable energy can deliver true climate resilience and sustainable development.
After five transformative years as Branch Manager of Climate Reality Philippines, Nazrin Castro transitions to an advisory role. During her tenure, the number of Climate Reality Leaders in the Philippines tripled, and groundbreaking programs in renewable energy, plastic reduction, sustainable mobility, climate finance, and youth empowerment made significant headway. She departs confident in the organization’s continued growth and success.
Achieving genuine energy security in the Philippines necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing sufficiency, reliability, resilience, affordability, accessibility, and sustainability.
While the unified Philippine grid highlighted by the President in this year’s SONA holds promise for underserved communities in the short run, it falls short of addressing the broader energy crisis.
The Philippines has a historic opportunity to champion climate justice on the world stage by hosting the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) Board. Serving as the LDF’s decision-making body, the Board must ensure swift and equitable distribution of resources to those facing the harshest realities of climate change.
