We can’t just cut emissions in the Philippines

I guess its only fair to think that all negotiators talk about at the UN climate talks is reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

I mean, that is the whole reason we’re here. But the reality of the matter is that reducing greenhouse gas emissions isn’t as simple as it seems. Not only are there many different sectors of each country’s economy to consider, like energy, agriculture and transport, but there are ongoing controversies about the best ways to reduce emissions across each sector as well.

Just check out the latest report from the International Energy Agency, the work of Beyond Zero Emissions in Australia, or some of the research out of Marc Jacobson’s team at Stanford University. It’s definitely not easy to do.

All around the world, finding that unique balance between the three cornerstones of the sustainability triangle - economic, social and environmental development - can prove to be a tricky task.

But as I discussed with Mima Mendoza from the Ateneo School of Government’s Climate Change program, its much trickier than that.

Mima has been working on Climate Change in the Philippines since 2011. Since then, the Philippines has been struck with some of the worst typhoon events in its history. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, then came Typhoon Haiyan.

In case you don’t remember, just look at some of these Before and After shots from the BBC.

That is why when I wanted to talk about mitigation, Mima quickly told me mitigation alone is no longer useful. Not in the Philippines.

After Typhoon Haiyan for example, Mima explained that they “combined mitigation and adaptation together” as they rebuilt Tacloban with renewable energy powered shelters.

This got me thinking. With so many countries needing to face the horrific impacts of Climate Change already, we can no longer really talk about mitigation or adaptation on their own. Countries need to cut down their emissions, but they also have to get ready for the biggest impacts of climate change that lie ahead of them.

This is why, Mima explained, many developing countries are currently pushing for Mitigation and Adaptation to have “equal importance” within the Paris agreement in December.

This is why, as IISD reports, many countries are now fighting for a global adaptation goal that we can all collectively aim to achieve. This has got some developed countries scared, as they worry it would not be possible to set some target to aim for. But many others also recognise, as Mima does, that we need to stress the importance of adaptation, and a goal would be a good way to do that.

Either way, as negotiations continue here in Bonn, one thing is becoming clear - we can’t just talk about cutting down emissions, without also talking about dealing with the impacts that are already affecting so many.

Check out this video below to hear more of Mima’s thoughts on this issue: