Philippines: Environment authority lists climate change as top priority for 2013
Quezon city -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will continue to implement programs geared towards the reduction of carbon emissions and climate change mitigation as a way of dealing with extreme weather events and other impacts of global warming.
Environment Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said addressing climate change remains a top priority of the department considering that the Philippines is among the countries in the world most vulnerable to this global phenomenon given the number of deadly typhoons that visit the country every year.
“Mitigating and adapting to climate change have long been inherent in the mandated functions of the DENR, more so since the country has been considered as one of the most vulnerable to its adverse effects,” Paje pointed out.
According to the 2013 Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines placed fourth among more than 190 countries around the world that have suffered the most extreme weather events such as flooding and storms over the past 20 years.