Politics outweigh protection in 2024’s biggest environment stories

MANILA, Philippines — From “disappointing” climate negotiations to the continued struggles of fisherfolk, 2024 proved how decisions made by local and international leaders can drastically change the lives of ordinary people.

In November 2024, representatives from different parts of the globe came together during the United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to agree on a new climate finance goal which would help developing countries like the Philippines cope with climate change.

The final deal was that wealthy nations must pay $300 billion a year by 2035 — about a trillion less than what is needed by the developing world.

“The Philippines recently faced six consecutive storms, resulting in the tragic loss of over 170 lives,” said Avril de Torres of think tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development. “If this is not proof that money is needed now, then what more must we endure?”

Politics and power play have also affected the lives and livelihoods of many Filipinos this year. A Rappler investigation published in April found that top officials with private interests have hampered efforts to implement systems that would track commercial fishing in the country. 

Under Philippine law, small fisherfolk have preferential rights in municipal waters. But a recent court victory partly owned by the family of former National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) chief Gamaliel Cordoba might change the game.

Aside from differing foci among agencies, politics was also said to play a role in delaying the creation of a bureau in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) dedicated to study and protect oceans. This development could fill a gap in the country’s ability to govern the Philippines’ large bodies of water, especially amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Activists have stepped up to help protect the environment, but the world is not safe for them. According to a report from Global Witness, 196 environmental defenders were killed across the globe in 2023 alone. The Philippines remained to be the deadliest place in Asia for environmental defenders for the 11th straight year.

Here are some of Rappler’s biggest environment stories in 2024:

Climate Change

• Philippines submits climate adaptation plan to UN body 
• PH is host of Loss and Damage Fund board: Why does it matter? 
• Philippines joins biggest case vs climate change, tells court ‘polluters must pay’
• Beyond loss and damage, no mention of reducing emissions in SONA 
• At World Court, Philippines urges adoption of environmental legal remedy
• The Green Report: COP29 is over. What now?

Disasters

• How politics killed non-Moro IPs in the Kusiong landslides
• How prone is your area to flooding? Check UP NOAH’s website. 
• Which urban areas in the Philippines are sinking?
• Laguna Lakeshore Road Network feared to cause more frequent flooding
• Flood-prone lifelines: Critical facilities at risk of flooding in Negros Occidental town
• Moving flood-prone gov’t facilities out of harm’s way is costly, time-consuming

Environmental protection

• We ruined protected areas, now we must save them 
• For 11th year, Philippines still deadliest place in Asia for environmental defenders

Fauna

• More than 100 years after first sighting in Manila Bay, rare bird reappears
• Philippine eagles Carlito and Uswag’s flight to freedom: A Rappler documentary 
• Recognize carabao as ‘distinct’ species from riverine buffalo – scientists 
• Understanding wildlife key to human-crocodile coexistence, says expert

Fisheries

• [DOCUMENTARY] Our 15 kilometers: Small fishers fear losing municipal waters to big operators 
• Top officials with private interests spoil effort to track big fishers 
• Big fishers encroach on small fisherfolk’s municipal waters 
• Scientists, economists, lawyers want to put price on damage in West Philippine Sea 
• A bureau of oceans is in the works. What took so long?

Heat stress

• Philippine heat has always been a problem – and it’s going to get worse
• In Philippine classrooms, weather’s too hot to handle
• PANOORIN: Paano sinusukat ng PAGASA ang heat index?

Just energy transition

• EXPLAINER: What is just energy transition?
• In race to renewables, Philippines takes ‘detour’ to liquefied natural gas
• DOE eyes better standards, policy on shutdown of coal plants

Liveable cities

• How closing Tomas Morato to traffic makes a case for better streets for people 
• These cities and towns to share P1B fund to build parks, gardens, bike lanes, trails 
• Can buses save us from gridlock? 
• Restoring the Pasig River: From one Marcos to another 
• Can the Pasig River Ferry Service ease transport woes? 
• Can we fully electrify jeepney fleets under PUV modernization program?
• How bike-friendly is Metro Manila? We rode 120 kilometers to investigate.
• [DOCUMENTARY] Biking 120 kilometers in Metro Manila

Waste

• In new Magna Carta, waste workers assert rights, humane labor conditions 
• Rappler Talk: Is a plastic pollution treaty finally in sight? 

— Rappler.com