The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called for urgent and collective action against climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. .
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework, among others, have outlined a shared vision for a more equitable and sustainable future.
She noted, however, that latest data show such efforts still fall short of achieving goals and targets. “Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate and pollution is infiltrating even the most remote ecosystems, from the Arctic ice to the depths of the Philippine Trench,” she pointed out.
Loyzaga noted that the Philippines, as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, experiences the impacts of climate change firsthand, pointing to extreme weather events that have hit the country in recent years.
“We face what scientists call the triple planetary crisis, climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The impacts are undeniable,” she stressed.
Loyzaga cited the record-breaking typhoon season experienced in 2024, with six consecutive storm systems battering the Philippines in less than a month, which serves as a stark reminder of how climate change is intensifying extreme weather.
She also lamented the worsening state of the country’s coral reefs due to rising sea temperatures, alongside with the 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste produced annually which pollute marine ecosystems and threaten food security.
Despite these challenges, Loyzaga expressed optimism, citing signs of reef recovery, active reforestation efforts, and the use of new technologies to monitor ecosystem health. She likewise underscored the importance of collaboration among stakeholders and various sectors in building climate-resilient communities and transition toward a circular economy.
Small actions, when multiplied, lead to meaningful change, Loyzaga said.