MANDALUYONG CITY, November 7 – Earlier today, the first round of dialogues between Philippine civil society and Ian Fry, the first special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate, took place in the UN House. Groups including Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, the Fridays for Future of the country, brought up issues faced by Filipino youth and protectors of nature.
“It is clear that our government now is not the climate champion that it claims it is. They have prioritized militarization and destructive projects over true environmental protection and proactive responses to prepare the country for extreme weather events” Mitzi Tan, YACAP International Spokesperson states. “We strongly call empowering and contextualised climate education, reallocation of current military funding to climate adaptation and mitigation, and loss and damage reparations from both Filipino companies and multinational corporations that have profited from environmental degradation and contributed to the climate crisis.”
Tan also emphasises the inclusion of military emissions to the Global Stocktake as it is one of the biggest contributors of carbon on the planet, but is currently optional. With Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment and Philippine UPR Watch, the group presented a report from the different communities and grassroots organisations on the different environmental human rights cases along with recommendations for the national government and the UN General Assembly.
YACAP urges the special rapporteur to take a stance and listen to the stories of the communities as the future of Filipino youth lies in protecting the present of people and the environment.
Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines 