The Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA), headed by Sec. Maria Belen Acosta, has just tapped internationally-acclaimed Filipino climate expert 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 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. “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 work 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. Mindanao deserves nothing less than our undivided support and protection, as it is a source of economic, cultural, historical, and national pride,” Banaguas said.

Climate Smart Mindanao 2050 is an enhanced version of the original Climate Smart Mindanao program, which was supported and implemented by the late MINDA Sec. Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, Usec. Janet Lopoz, and Asec. Romeo Montenegro for the welfare of Mindanawons.

“Through Climate Smart Mindanao, Secretary Abul Khayr Alonto led the way for sustainable climate action in the region. There is no higher tribute to his memory than to further his work,” Banaguas added.

The new and enhanced Climate Smart Mindanao 2050 actively strives to:

• Deliver 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 interrelated food, water, and energy issues;
• Provide 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.

Sc. 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, of which Climate Smart Mindanao 2050 is a constituent program. The initiative brings scientific experts and stakeholders together to address disasters and prevent losses from climate change and other hazards. For his pioneering work, Banaguas received the prestigious UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2022, besting over 200 nominations from around the world to become the first individual Filipino recipient in the award’s 35-year history. (CSDR ASEAN)