By Cielito M. Reganit
MANILA, Feb. 19 (PNA) — With the upcoming end of the timeline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in 2015, a visiting member of the House of Lords from the United Kingdom on Wednesday said that climate change and its impact on the poor and the vulnerable should become part of the next development framework.
UK House of Lords member Lord Jack McConnell of Glenscorrodale is on a volunteer mission to the Philippines February 15 to 21 to support “Beyond 2015 Philippines” in advocating this position.
“Beyond 2015” is a global civil society campaign pushing for a strong and legitimate successor framework to the MDG.
McConnell stressed that the post-2015 framework should include ensuring the protection of the environment for sustainable development.
“The key to sustainable development is the sustainability of natural resources and the safety and resilience of everyone, including development gains, from disaster risks,” he said during a press briefing held at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
“This means strengthening local capacity and environmental governance for sustainable management of resources, mitigate impact of climate change and reduce disaster risks,” the visiting lawmaker added.
The Philippines, he said, is the perfect setting to jumpstart such advocacy as he noted that the country is ranked 3rd in the World Risk Index due to its vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.
“No other proof is needed than what happened in Leyte after Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ hit,” McConnell stressed, having visited the area over the weekend.
“Climate change and its impact, most especially to the poor and vulnerable, should be dealt with. The international community should unite and cooperate among each other to deal with this reality,” he said. (PNA)