#SustainableEnvironment
As part of De La Salle University’s Launch of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Localization Project, participants from the academe, civil society and private organizations were provided with an opportunity to understand Sustainable Environment through a talk by Mr. Albert Altarejos Magalang, Climate Change Division Chief from the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR). Participants were given an overview on how environmental efforts on the SDGs are being realized. The talk was conducted at the Yuchengco Seminar Room 409 and was moderated by Dr. Eric R. Punzalan, the External Affairs Director of the DLSU’s College of Science.
Mr. Magalang started his sharing with an overview of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). As the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) ended last 2015, the United Nations once again collectively agreed to overcome global challenges tackling specific issues. This resulted to the transformation of the eight (8) MDGs to a new set of seventeen (17) goals to end world hunger, achieve full gender equality, improve health services, get every child into school and tackle environmental challenges – particularly climate change and many more. The goals aim to uplift the quality of life for all. Mr. Magalang stressed that the increased number of goals hopes to ensure that no one will be left behin
Mr. Magalang started his sharing with an overview of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). As the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) ended last 2015, the United Nations once again collectively agreed to overcome global challenges tackling specific issues. This resulted to the transformation of the eight (8) MDGs to a new set of seventeen (17) goals to end world hunger, achieve full gender equality, improve health services, get every child into school and tackle environmental challenges – particularly climate change and many more. The goals aim to uplift the quality of life for all. Mr. Magalang stressed that the increased number of goals hopes to ensure that no one will be left behin
The Sustainable Development Goals were created to produce a set of universally applicable goals that balances environmental, social, and economic factors. He shared the DENR’s current shift of perspective in making sure that all environmental permits issued will not only prevent negative environmental impact but would also minimize social and economic effects to the local communities and other vulnerable sectors of society. The SDG is also a launching pad for renewed cooperation through the strategies that will be mainstreamed in the next medium term development plan, public investment program, and yearly budget priorities framework that are further evaluated in sub-national and sectoral development plans of the country.
Mr. Magalang kept the definition of Sustainable Environment brief. He shared that it is mainly a balancing act between ecology and the acknowledgment that human civilization takes resources to sustain modern living. The main goal of a sustainable environment is to allow development while ensuring that the environment is able to sustain the people living now and in the future.
Mr. Magalang kept the definition of Sustainable Environment brief. He shared that it is mainly a balancing act between ecology and the acknowledgment that human civilization takes resources to sustain modern living. The main goal of a sustainable environment is to allow development while ensuring that the environment is able to sustain the people living now and in the future.
In terms of concrete actions for the environment, Mr. Magalang shared the country’s national climate change action plan that highlights the adaptive capacity of communities, resilience of natural ecosystem and sustainability of built environment to climate change. He emphasized the need for a more natural approach in climate change adaptation and disaster resiliency by beefing up our natural ecosystems rather than using concrete to minimize the hazards.
The Paris Climate Conference last 2015 provided new opportunities for countries to contribute in mitigating the effects of global warming. Mr. Magalang shared that the new agreement required all countries to reduce their carbon foot print. He also shared that there were some concerns on our commitment to reduce carbon footprint by (70) percent. He however added that through effective bargaining, the commitment may be considered conditional to the developed countries’ provision of financial aid, technology transfer, and capacity building opportunities.
Mr. Magalang also shared the DENR’s SDG targets for a sustainable environment. To achieve a balance energy needs and environmental protection, renewable energy laws shall be pushed through. Development of policies on coal powered plants to reduce emission shall be in their priority. In making human settlements inclusive, safe, and sustainable, the green building code shall be mainstreamed for infrastructure and Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management shall also be highlighted in national and local plans.
To ensure sustainable consumption and production, the strengthening of the solid waste management plan, the enactment of the green jobs act, a Green House Gas inventory, and low emission strategies shall be developed and implemented. And in the continuous effort to combat the negative impact of climate change, data on geological hazards, rehabilitation and recovery efforts shall be made available to the public.
Dr. Eric Punzalan facilitated the open forum and closed the activity by awarding the speaker with a token and a certificate of appreciation.
The Paris Climate Conference last 2015 provided new opportunities for countries to contribute in mitigating the effects of global warming. Mr. Magalang shared that the new agreement required all countries to reduce their carbon foot print. He also shared that there were some concerns on our commitment to reduce carbon footprint by (70) percent. He however added that through effective bargaining, the commitment may be considered conditional to the developed countries’ provision of financial aid, technology transfer, and capacity building opportunities.
Mr. Magalang also shared the DENR’s SDG targets for a sustainable environment. To achieve a balance energy needs and environmental protection, renewable energy laws shall be pushed through. Development of policies on coal powered plants to reduce emission shall be in their priority. In making human settlements inclusive, safe, and sustainable, the green building code shall be mainstreamed for infrastructure and Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management shall also be highlighted in national and local plans.
To ensure sustainable consumption and production, the strengthening of the solid waste management plan, the enactment of the green jobs act, a Green House Gas inventory, and low emission strategies shall be developed and implemented. And in the continuous effort to combat the negative impact of climate change, data on geological hazards, rehabilitation and recovery efforts shall be made available to the public.
Dr. Eric Punzalan facilitated the open forum and closed the activity by awarding the speaker with a token and a certificate of appreciation.
Conference Presentation
DENR's Presentation on #Sustainable Environment
Open Forum
Question (Dr. Punzalan): How do we explain to the poor that we are going to cut down our emission when the difference between the developed countries is obvious?
Ans. (Mr. Magalang): The general challenge is how to communicate climate change in general, but even if we have no major contribution, the negotiations provide us opportunities to gather support from the developed countries.
Question (Ms. Nina Poblador of DLSU): The communities nearby DLSU which we are in partnership with live near water resources, which arm of the DENR can help us with this effort of cleaning and rehabilitation?
Ans. It is commendable that the communities are partners in the efforts of environmental protection. For pollution issues, the Environmental Management Bureau can be contacted for this type of concerns. I am also inviting the community members and civil society organizations to participate in the DENR people’s day every Wednesday morning.
Question (DLSU Stdent): Why are there new coal power plants being installed despite our commitment to the Paris Conference? Why can’t we just incinerate our trash just like what Sweden is doing to reduce open pits?
Answer: We installed the coal power plants since we have a demand for energy and with the lack of alternatives, we need to supply energy first. Incineration produces high level of pollution which are in conflict with our Clean Air Act. We still have efforts to reuse methane produced in open pits and provide energy to the community.
Question (Dr. Punzalan): What is the relevance of the SDG to the community members?
Answer: They can provide the essential solution to environmental management since they are the most affected of the impact.
Question (Community Member): Why is it that the waste segregation laws are not sustained? And is the Bantay Estero program a continuous effort?
Answer: We really need to increase our sustainability strategies for the programs to work and yes the program is still operational.
Question (Student): How can we solve our concern on the growth of trees that we are planting in our activities?
Answer: You need a botanist to help you improve your tree planting efforts.
Ans. (Mr. Magalang): The general challenge is how to communicate climate change in general, but even if we have no major contribution, the negotiations provide us opportunities to gather support from the developed countries.
Question (Ms. Nina Poblador of DLSU): The communities nearby DLSU which we are in partnership with live near water resources, which arm of the DENR can help us with this effort of cleaning and rehabilitation?
Ans. It is commendable that the communities are partners in the efforts of environmental protection. For pollution issues, the Environmental Management Bureau can be contacted for this type of concerns. I am also inviting the community members and civil society organizations to participate in the DENR people’s day every Wednesday morning.
Question (DLSU Stdent): Why are there new coal power plants being installed despite our commitment to the Paris Conference? Why can’t we just incinerate our trash just like what Sweden is doing to reduce open pits?
Answer: We installed the coal power plants since we have a demand for energy and with the lack of alternatives, we need to supply energy first. Incineration produces high level of pollution which are in conflict with our Clean Air Act. We still have efforts to reuse methane produced in open pits and provide energy to the community.
Question (Dr. Punzalan): What is the relevance of the SDG to the community members?
Answer: They can provide the essential solution to environmental management since they are the most affected of the impact.
Question (Community Member): Why is it that the waste segregation laws are not sustained? And is the Bantay Estero program a continuous effort?
Answer: We really need to increase our sustainability strategies for the programs to work and yes the program is still operational.
Question (Student): How can we solve our concern on the growth of trees that we are planting in our activities?
Answer: You need a botanist to help you improve your tree planting efforts.
Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, De La Salle University -Manila
2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 523-4143
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, De La Salle University -Manila
2401 Taft Avenue, 0922 Manila, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 523-4143