The recent United Nations climate negotiations in Brazil have concluded with mixed results for vulnerable nations like the Philippines, achieving some progress but failing to address the most critical issue driving the climate crisis.
Small Steps Forward Amid Major Setbacks
The 30th UN climate negotiations, known as COP30, took place in Belém, Brazil, with high expectations to transform global climate promises into concrete action. For climate-vulnerable countries like the Philippines, this transition from words to deeds is crucial to reduce the severe impacts of climate change they have endured for years.
While the conference fell short of delivering true climate justice, it did produce one significant achievement: the establishment of the Just Transition Mechanism, also called the Belem Action Mechanism by civil society groups. This platform will foster international cooperation on initiatives ensuring fair transitions, protecting workers, and enabling shifts in energy systems.
The mechanism includes provisions centering energy transitions on principles of justice and equity while recognizing numerous human rights, including the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent. This development demonstrates the continuing influence of civil society in pushing for more ambitious climate action, similar to the earlier creation of the Loss and Damage Fund.
The Elephant in the Room: Fossil Fuels
The most significant failure of COP30 was the lack of commitment to truly begin ending the fossil fuel era. Astonishingly, the so-called Mutirão decision didn't even mention "fossil fuels"—the primary source of greenhouse gases causing increasingly extreme impacts that the Philippines and other developing nations know all too well.
Compounding this global failure was the disappointment with the Philippine government's position. The Philippines failed to join over 80 nations supporting the global call to transition away from fossil fuels. This silence contradicts the country's persistent calls for climate justice on the international stage.
Given that the Philippines' energy sector remains highly privatized and dominated by fossil fuel corporations, this inaction sends a troubling message that the government prioritizes energy security and corporate profits over the security and well-being of its most vulnerable communities.
What Comes Next for the Philippines
Despite being watered down from what developing nations actually need, the conference did achieve a commitment to triple adaptation finance by 2035. This represents a step forward in providing much-needed support for adaptation programs and projects.
This funding should aid in implementing the National Adaptation Plan, particularly for ecosystem-based approaches and nature-based solutions that have never been more urgently needed in the Philippines.
With COP30 concluded, attention now turns to the Philippine government's next moves. As climate advocates emphasize: there is no climate justice without good governance. Both effective governance and climate action are needed now more than ever to protect Filipino communities from the worsening impacts of climate change.
