Legarda Echoes EU's Call for Greater Climate Action

Senator Loren Legarda echoed the call of the European Union's Climate Commission for greater climate change action, particularly significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, expressed her commitment to further push her advocacy on climate change adaptation and mitigation during the courtesy call of the EU delegation led by EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard.

"In support of Commissioner Hedegaard's mission to seek commitment for more climate change action, we will continue to encourage the commitment of more local governments, government agencies and other organizations in working for a climate-resilient nation. I will also engage other Asian parliamentarians as well as state leaders to heed the call for climate change action. I am willing to help the EU Climate Commission in my capacity as UN Representative for Asia," said Legarda, who is the UN Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific.

The EU aims to reduce its carbon emissions from transport by six per cent, with intermediate indicative targets of two per cent by 2014 and four per cent by 2017. Through Commissioner Hedegaard, the EU explores further cooperation to address the challenge of keeping the global temperature from further rising.

"Like the EU, our hope is for world leaders to lead their nation in cutting down on pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing fossil fuel consumption, promoting the use of renewable energy, and assisting developing nations that are most vulnerable to the effects of environmental degradation and climate change," said Legarda.

"World leaders must not allow people to continuously suffer from floods, hunger, displacement, and economic setbacks. The past disasters that have depressed many nations should remind world leaders of their great responsibility to lead people out of the crises and uncertainties brought about by unsustainable development, worsening disasters and climate change," Legarda concluded.