‘ Talanoa Dialogue: What happened and what it means for COP24’

The Talanoa Dialogue clearly reemphasizes and reflects the vulnerabilities that we all face whether industrialized or developing nations, and the kind of bold, aggressive climate action and political will that we must all do.

Let us look at the science first. Commitments made by countries in 2015 lead to a 3 to 4 degrees Celsius world, which is almost uninhabitable. You know very well in November 8, 2013 we experienced Haiyan in the Philippines at a global warming level of less than one degree. Imagine how much more intense and devastating typhoons would be at three or four degrees.

It is therefore not an option whether or not countries should reduce their carbon emissions. All countries must do so. That is why we are advocating for a more ambitious climate goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius because any level beyond this would be extremely difficult for us to survive and thrive.

We all know that the current Nationally Determined Contributions ( NDCs) are outdated. All NDCs need to be enhanced to limit warming to 1.5 degrees, in particular the NDCs of developed nations, who need to do far more and far better.

On our part, as someone coming from a developing nation, we need to recognize that the economy has changed since 2015. Technology and its economics continue to develop rapidly, sustaining the deflationary nature of renewable energy costs and thus deflationary electricity prices. But it’s still a challenge coming from a country that is an archipelago with 7,100 islands.

In collaboration with leaders of critical sectors, we are finalizing our NDCs in order to ensure the participation of all sectors in this transformation. We are ushering in this transition from the bottom- up. We have already conducted validation meetings, consultations, and workshops for the NDC sectoral targets. We know that this entails raising awareness, building capacities, and crafting the necessary policies in order to achieve our NDC goals.

We don’t consider reducing further our carbon emissions as a sacrifice, but an opportunity. We continue pursuing this development path consistent with 1.5 degrees not only because we know it is the best way to protect our people and climate, but also because we know it will spur economic growth.

The Philippines and other developing nations that are part of the Climate Vulnerable Forum ( CVF) and the Vulnerable 20 ( V20) intend to push the active participation of vulnerable developing nations and to ask the industrialized nations to scale up ambition so that the 1.5- degree target is met.

First, there’s a need for bold climate action. Second, there’s a need for transformation in all sectors whether it’s transport, forestry, agriculture, energy and it should be multi- sectoral, everyone should be involved. Third, we must have proof of concept, community level local climate action, at the same time, industrialized nations must not just make bold commitments but actually walk their talk to show that the low carbon pathway would really bring about sustainable development. - Sen. Loren Legarda; 7 May 2018 Bonn, Germany