MINDA taps UN-awarded scientist for Climate Smart Mindanao
The Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) headed by Sec. Maria Belen Acosta has just tapped internationally-acclaimed Filipino climate scientist and science diplomat Glenn Banaguas to spearhead climate change and disaster mitigation efforts across the region under the aegis of Climate Smart Mindanao 2050. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to enable the region to reduce its carbon footprint and empower its people to proactively assess and manage its climate risks.
"Climate change response is a fundamental pillar of MINDA's long-range plans for Mindanao," Acosta said. "The region's socioeconomic growth hinges on our capacity to confront, mitigate, and hopefully even avoid the looming dangers of global warming."
“It is an absolute honor to continue working with MINDA on the furtherance of Mindanao’s climate action goals. In terms of biodiversity and natural reserves alone, the region is one of the most resource-rich places in the world,” Banaguas said at the Memorandum of Collaboration signing in Makati City on September 14, which was graced by a full complement of Mindanao’s decisionmakers and stakeholders. “Mindanao deserves nothing less than our undivided support and protection, as it is a source of economic, cultural, historical, and national pride,” he added.
Climate Smart Mindanao 2050 is an enhanced version of the original Climate Smart Mindanao program, which was supported and implemented by the late MINDA Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, Usec. Janet Lopoz, and Asec. Romeo Montenegro for the welfare of Mindanawons.
“Through Climate Smart Mindanao, Sec. Alonto led the way for sustainable climate action in the region. There is no higher tribute to his memory than to further his work,” said Banaguas.
The enhanced Climate Smart Mindanao 2050 actively seeks the following objectives:
- Provide and deploy region-wide climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions;
- Develop the region’s capability to address climate issues by way of broader discourses and cooperation on food-water-energy interrelations; training, capacity building, and consultation workshops on climate and sustainability financing; and
- Work towards net zero emissions (NZE) through greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting under the Mindanao Decarbonization Roadmap.
“Aside from addressing climate change and disaster risks, it is also the goal of Climate Smart Mindanao 2050 to continue promoting peace and de-escalate tensions by bringing parties in conflict together to address environmental and social issues,” Banaguas explained.
Sci. Dpl. Banaguas is the president and founder of the Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute (ECCRI). In 2010, he also spearheaded the institute's flagship program, Climate Smart Philippines, for which Climate Smart Mindanao 2050 is a constituent program. This initiative brings scientific experts and stakeholders together in addressing disasters and preventing losses from climate change and other hazards. For his pioneering work, Banaguas received the prestigious United Nations (UN) Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction in May 2022 to become the first individual Filipino recipient in the award’s 35-year history.