Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday led the launching of the Climate Action Implementation (CAI) program, a new environmental initiative that takes urgent action to address the climate crisis in collaboration with C40 Cities.
The launching ceremony in Novotel was attended by various environment stakeholders and partners including government officials in the areas of climate change and energy, business leaders, local and international development partners, financing institutions, academics and civil society groups, professional associations and non-governmental organizations.
The program, which is funded by the UK Government, will implement transformational climate change actions and mainstreaming activities based on the city’s Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan.
“The CAI will definitely expedite the city’s climate action initiatives as we aspire to be the leading city in advancing inclusive, ambitious, and evidence-based climate actions in the Philippines to provide a livable and quality community for all,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
“This partnership will surely intensify our commitment in protecting every QCitizen against the effects of climate change. We hope that this will be the beginning of our future collaborations for a safe, healthy, and greener society,” the mayor added.
The comprehensive technical assistance and capacity building program will focus on policies and actions that will enhance energy efficiency, amend the green building code, and expand the adoption of renewable energy in government-owned, commercial, and residential buildings.
The said plans will help the city become carbon neutral by 2050 and secure a greener future for its 3.1 million residents, encouraging Quezon City to lead by example within the Philippines.
Since 2015, Quezon City has been an active member of the C40 Cities working with the world’s leading cities that are committed to confronting climate change and promoting climate justice. The city is also among the 14 cities across Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America that received technical assistance and capacity building from C40 through the funding of the UK Government.
“The UK recognises that climate action at the sub-national level is a key element of the global net zero equation. With rapid urbanization, cities like Quezon City, will have a more crucial role in the climate transition to curb emissions, ensure a green recovery and low-carbon growth, while safeguarding citizens against severe impacts of climate change.”
“Achieving the Paris alignment will be a challenging mission for every city which will entail systemic changes, government leadership, and collaboration across multiple sectors to achieve ambitious climate action. I wish Quezon City every success towards meeting their ambitious goals,” British Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils explained.
“Cities are on the frontlines of multiple global crises, including the climate emergency. They are also where solutions lie and transformative actions are taken. Quezon City, supported by C40 Cities, developed an ambitious Local Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2050 which was launched last year, and it is now time to turn those strategies into wider implementation. C40 Cities looks forward to continuing the partnership with Quezon City, with support from the UK government, to progress bold climate policies and actions, together with communities and key stakeholders, in its path to become carbon neutral by 2050 and strengthen climate resiliency – ultimately securing a sustainable and just future for its people,” C40’s Regional Director for East, Southeast Asia, and Oceania Milag San Jose-Ballesteros said
The CAI program in Southeast Asia is part of the overarching Urban Climate Action Plan (UCAP) programme funded by the UK government and delivered in partnership with the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. The programme is supporting the development of climate action implementation plans in fifteen C40 cities in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.