Region 7 to form climate change council in 2008

Central Visayas is set to establish a regional climate change advisory council in 2008.

Depart of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau-7 head Allan Arranguez said they will finalize the creation of the council after gathering all the stakeholders.

The aim of the body is to localize, either by region, province, city and municipal level, the planning and implementation of programs that are discussed in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

In particular, Arranquez said, is the reduction of the excessive emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The stakeholders will include representatives from the local government, business sector, oil and petroleum, transport sector, church, academe, non-government organizations and anyone else interested.

Arranguez said it has been observed that majority of the toxic gas emissions are from running vehicles.

Cebu has the second number of running vehicles in the country next to Manila.

The Philippines, one of the developing countries participating in the UNFCCC, had pledged adherence to the cutting of carbon emissions from 25 to 40 percent below the 1990 levels within the next 15 to 20 years in order to prevent the destructive effects of climate change.

In the 1990-2005 report, developing countries failed to cut down emissions from the 1990 level and even managed to increased it, especially the transport sector.

About 80 percent of the Philippines coastal communities are in danger of being being affected if the sea level rises as a result of climate change.  — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP