The Quezon City Government on Monday has expressed its support to groups and organizations pushing for climate justice.

On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, civil society organizations will gather in Quezon Memorial Circle for a March for Climate Justice to urge decision makers who are attending this year’s COP 27 (2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Egypt and G20 summit in Indonesia to deliver solutions to the global climate and economic crises.

“We welcome all forms of freedom of expression, especially in our advocacy in promoting our climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. The city is strongly encouraging people’s participation for this cause as everyone, regardless of their age or economic status, is affected by global climate change,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

The city government is known as one of the leading cities in the Philippines that pushes for climate justice. In 2019, the city declared a climate emergency which initiated the establishment of clean, sustainable, and environment-friendly programs for QCitizens.

QC is also the only Philippine City in the C40 Cities, a global network of mayors taking urgent action to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone can thrive.

During the C40 Cities World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October, Mayor Belmonte also reiterated her call on international climate financing institutions to work with cities to support the implementation of their climate action plans for them to achieve their mitigation and adaptation targets as soon as possible.

“The city’s programs for climate change will not come to fruition without the efforts of the public. We encourage a whole-of-city approach to ensure that the city’s initiatives are truly sustainable and responsive to the communities’ needs, without risking the lives and livelihood of the residents,” the mayor added.

Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD) Head Andrea Villaroman also stressed the importance of people’s participation in attaining the city’s climate goals.

“Everyone is affected by global climate change. Every action, suggestions, and concerns of stakeholders are important for the further development of our programs,” Villaroman said.