MANILA, Philippines —Greenpeace Philippines and communities today called on the Philippine government to enact a climate accountability (CLIMA) law that will hold corporate climate polluters responsible for harms caused by climate impacts experienced by communities. The call came as the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, docked in Manila for the final leg of its #ClimateJusticeforAll tour in the country. The call also comes ahead of the UN climate talks slated next week in Dubai, as campaigners and experts call for an urgent phase out of fossil fuels to keep global temperatures within 1.5 degrees.

As the conference approaches and with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. set to attend it, Greenpeace demanded that the Philippine government use every platform to make fossil fuel companies pay their climate debt: compensate climate-impacted communities for the losses and damages—both economic and non-economic—experienced by people. They must also stop fossil fuel expansion and phase out fossil fuels by committing to a just and urgent transition.

The Rainbow Warrior, which arrived in the Philippines last November 4, has been visiting climate survivor communities around the Philippines to amplify their calls for climate reparations. The ship was in Tacloban City for the 10th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) to pay tribute to the courage of survivors, and amplify their demand for corporate accountability. In Salcedo Municipality, Eastern Samar, Greenpeace supported communities and the local government in passing a historic resolution to seek accountability from fossil fuel corporations, and to take any and all action including pursuing legal means. In Batangas City, communities impacted by the consequences of fossil fuel operations marched last November 20 toward the entrance to the Shell import terminal in Tabangao, Batangas City, demanding reparations for loss and damage dealt by these companies’ dirty business.

Prior to its arrival in Manila, the ship was in Tubigon Municipality in the island province of Bohol to bear witness to island and coastal communities’ experiences of climate change. The municipality’s island barangays suffered severe damages during Super Typhoon Odette (international name, Rai), even as they already experience tidal flooding projected to worsen as sea levels rise.

The ship will be in Manila until November 26 during which it will be open to the public for tours and activities. Greenpeace has also opened the People’s Museum of Climate Justice at the Malate Catholic Church. The museum pays homage to the stories of climate survivors through a poignant collection of objects of memory and art pieces. It will be open to the public until the end of the month Those interested should sign up at act.gp/shiptour2023manila.

QUOTES FROM SPEAKERS AND COMMUNITIES

Jefferson Chua, Greenpeace campaigner:
“Filipino communities shouldn’t be shouldering the human and financial costs of climate disasters. This call for reparations is a call for climate justice. We believe that President Marcos Jr. should stand with communities and exert all efforts to pursue carbon major accountability at the UN climate talks next month—as well in all other available venues, including litigation of oil, gas and coal companies most responsible for the climate crisis.”

Hettie Geenen, Captain of the Rainbow Warrior:
“My crew and I are pleased to be here in Manila—it was the stop here that convinced me to keep sailing for Greenpeace. It was the connection with the people: hearing all the stories, listening to all these people.

We stand in solidarity with the communities of Tacloban, Bohol, and now Manila—their stories will not be ignored. They are not responsible for the climate crisis, it is the polluters that caused this. We hope world leaders will listen come COP28, and make polluters pay for their role in worsening climate change”.

Christian John V. Evangelista, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer III, City of Manila:
“I would like to emphasize that the Local Government of Manila is steadfast in passing policies and guidelines that safeguard the environment and ultimately educate our citizens that Climate Change is an issue that goes beyond the borders of governance but should also be the concern of each and every one of us. With that, I welcome you all to a resilient city of Manila.”

Jimmy Ceguerra, Barangay Secretary, Brgy. Tumana, Marikina City:
“In Marikina, our homes, our livelihoods, and our families are constantly affected by the climate crisis. Marikeño communities will not take these impacts sitting down—we are standing up to these polluters. Likewise, we urge the government to look into the well-being of our locality and our youth, listen to us, and seek accountability for the climate crisis.”

Rev. Fr. Perfecto Urbuda, Jr., Diocese of Mati, Davao Oriental:
“I was here in Manila during Ondoy; I saw that this is it, climate change is real. We are at a breaking point. This is why we are here to share our stories. We must remember that we are stewards of this earth, and that the government must make polluters pay for this crisis.”

Anne Pakoa, ActionAid Vanuatu  Humanitarian Response Manager and Technical Advisor, Vanuatu Young Women For Change:
“Climate change affects you wherever you are. I’m here representing the women in Vanuatu, standing in solidarity with people and the women of the Philippines—something has to be done; we need to compensate women whose livelihoods are destroyed by severe weather challenges.

I am calling on the Philippine government: Please go to community, get the people to decide how we will adapt to weather challenges. Compensate communities whose lives are affected by climate change impacts. Stop fossil fuels. Stop gas production. Stop activities that destroy the environment. And when you’re at COP, please talk about how to protect the people and vulnerable communities from climate change.”

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Media Contact:

Maverick Russel Flores, Communications Campaigner, Greenpeace Philippines
WhatsApp/Viber: +63 9176211552

Karl Orit, Communications Campaigner, Greenpeace Philippines
[email protected] | +63 9194571064