2022 – Research | SDG 13 – Climate Action

Proponents: Orlando F. Balderama, Lanie A. Alejo, Jeoffrey Lloyd R. Bareng, Elmer A. Rosete, Alvin John B. Felipe 

Abstract

River Basins are highly significant resources that contribute to agro-industrial and domestic development. This study was conducted to assess the socio-economic impacts of climate change on the vulnerability of a significant river basin in the Philippines, the Magat
River Basin, to drought by considering agriculture as the major sector of focus. The results of this study imply that the current drought susceptibility of Magat Watershed is at 1.9 - 3.39 min-max scale or from low to above moderate, where the basin's Sensitivity and Exposure, account for 57% and 31% of the total vulnerability, respectively. And that the resulting adaptive capacity has a mitigating factor of only 12%, thereby construed to be very low. Averagely, the Santa Fe and Subbasin 2 sub-watersheds are identified to be moderately susceptible to drought with an average rating of 3.1 and 3.25 respectively. Meanwhile, the average drought vulnerability rating of other subbasins is between 2.08 and 2.91 which is from a low to an approximately moderate level. The overall drought susceptibility of the basin is projected to increase due to climate change under future climate scenarios up to 30% (High) of the current level. Catalyzing effective policies and climate change governance are highly encouraged to inhibit further and improve mitigation and adaptation measures.

Proponent/s: Errol John A. Cadelina, Nenita C. Rodavia

Abstract

Carbon emissions of animal husbandry have been gaining increasing attention due to their high share in global carbon emissions. In this regard, it is essential to identify the risk communication potential of Dairy Livestock, and the impact of livestock structure on carbon emissions of animal husbandry to achieve carbon neutrality. Using data from five (5) Dairy partner cooperatives within the Cagayan Valley, this study employs the use of Gas Chromatography 2014 Analysis to quantify the impact of livestock structure on carbon emissions of animal husbandry. The statistical results reveal that the manure management carbon emissions of animal husbandry exhibit a rising and declining trend. Specifically, the carbon emissions of animal husbandry of PCC contributed the highest amount of CH4 amounting to 130,447.857 g/m3, followed by the IFC with 5,991.72 g/m3 of CH4, while MDC and NVMPC got the lower emission of CH4 with 416.31 g/m3 and 120.3968 g/m3 respectively. Finally, essential, and useful technology intervention and policy recommendations are put forward to inhibit carbon emissions of animal husbandry.

Proponents: Isagani P. Angeles, Sharon I. Celino 

Abstract

Cagayan River is known for a huge population of Anguilla species however, it has been regarded as one of the country's typhoon belts and has been affected by the impacts of climate change. Many fishermen benefited from elvers gathering due to its high price in the market. Fish Vool tool has been developed to measure the sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity using interview survey metrics and analytics. In this study, eel fishery was conducted to evaluate the climate change vulnerability of the eel fisheries in Pamplona, Cagayan. Results revealed an overall medium sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity indicating that the eel fishery of Pamplona, Cagayan is vulnerable to climate change. The result can provide significant information for government fisheries planners, policy-makers, and other fisheries stakeholders in the development of policies and management plans that will reduce vulnerability and build climate-resilient eel fishery.

Proponents: Nenita S. Genove , Diosdado C. Caňete

Abstract

Mallig Dairy Cooperative, Inc. at Mallig, Isabela has One Hundred Three (103) heads of cattle as of March 2020 covering an area of fifty (50) hectares situated in remote and hilly areas. There was collaboration in the field of solar energy between the Department of Agriculture and the Local Government Unit of Mallig, Isabela on the solar powered- irrigation system in relation to cattle raising to address the need of water supply for their cattle. In determining if solar-powered irrigation in Mallig Dairy Cooperative, Inc. is sound, justifiable and feasible, the Cost-benefit Analysis was used. That is why the time value of money, discount rate, and net present value, payback period and internal rate of return for using a solar-powered pump have to be considered and calculated. The said cooperative has a 2.15 Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) which can be interpreted as "For every P1 of cost in the investment, the expected peso benefits generated is P2.15. So the solar-powered pump is a favourable investment which means it has greater benefits than costs. The NPV computed is positive which is P2,870,789.92 greater than the investment incurred that was P2,500,000.00. The rule is: An investment project should only be engaged in if it demonstrate a positive net present value (NPV). The payback period is 4.56 years only, it means the investment bears less risk. The computed IRR of the cooperative was 25.98%, thus generated more than the hurdle rate which is 12%. So it is considered favourable and safe to invest in solar irrigation.

Proponents: CARINA L VIDANIA, LALAINE M NERONA, BEVERLY D TAGUINOD 

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the level of awareness of the students of Isabela State University City of Ilagan Campus on environmental concerns and management and protection strategies. It aims to gather baseline data to come up with a framework for the development of a responsive culture on climate change. The Study revealed that the majority of the respondents are female and are in curriculum year level II. The respondents, although they are fully aware of some environmental concerns as well as environmental protection strategies, like waste management, pollution control, reforestation, and organic farming to mitigate climate change, their baseline knowledge on the several other environmental concerns and management and protection strategies could still be improved, specifically on genetic engineering and acid rain. The feedback that was gathered from the respondents may serve as the basis for planning of activities that aims to inspire the students to become more environmentally sensitive and enlist them to actively do their share in the prevention or mitigation of the negative effects of climate change. A massive educational and information dissemination campaign could be conducted to raise the awareness of the students on several other environmental concerns and protection strategies that they are not yet fully aware of. The baseline data to come up with a framework for the development of a responsive culture on climate change has been gathered. A follow-up study on the instructional integration of environmental concerns and management, environmental protection strategies, as well as risk reduction management, is in place.

Proponent: Precila C. Delima

Abstract

Air pollution is linked with many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Strategies aiming at improved air quality interact directly with climate mitigation targets, access to clean energy services, waste management, and other aspects of socio-economic development. This paper examines integrated policies to put Cauayan City, a Smarter City on track toward three interlinked goals achieving universal energy access, limiting climate change, and reducing air pollution. Scenario analysis suggests that these goals can be attained simultaneously with substantial benefits. By 2040, emissions of main pollutants are projected to drop by 60–80% relative to today, and associated health impacts are quantified at two million avoided deaths from ambient and household air pollution combined. In comparison to the costs needed for the decarbonization of the global economy, additional investments in air pollution control and access to clean fuels are very modest against major societal gains. The Piloting of Project ROAM in Cauayan City established a systematic air quality monitoring network that can determine areas where pollutant levels exceed an ambient air quality standard and areas where they do not. A resolution was formulated on its integration to realize its Smarter City Concept on Smarter Environment and localized Sustainable Development goals on clean air, sustainable cities, and climate change mitigation.

Proponents: Betchie E. Aguinaldo, Marvee Cheska B. Natividad

Abstract

The Philippines is prone to natural disasters and climate impacts; the Cagayan Valley Region especially the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela are vulnerable to hydro-meteorological hazards. Amidst the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, decision-making for planning disaster preparedness and response is crucial. This paper proposes an online decision support system with a multi-criteria decision-making model using Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) as Optimization of Decision Support System for Effective e-Governance, a Project ODeSSEe. Data gathered from multiple source agencies were processed and analyzed and the developed model was integrated into the system. The result was validated through evaluation by end-users with an overall grand mean response of 4.46, with a descriptive interpretation of very strongly agree, and the IT experts with a grand mean response of 3.56, equivalent to strongly agree as their evaluation to the developed system.

Proponent: Myrna C. Cureg

Abstract

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals include life on land as the 15th goal among the 17 SDGs. It calls for the sustainable management of forests, to combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss (UN, n.d.). Among the issues it is trying to raise is the fact that “while protected areas now cover 15 percent of terrestrial and freshwater environments and seven percent of the marine realm, these areas only partly cover important sites for biodiversity and are not yet fully ecologically representative and effectively or equitably managed.”
According to the 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service (IPBES, 2019) around 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction – many within decades. The report called for transformative changes to restore and protect nature as it showed that the health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever and this is affecting the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide.
Another related concern that is addressed is the 13th SDG on climate action. Climate change is affecting the lives not only of people in every country and every continent but even the survival of different species of plants and animals. With the changes in weather patterns, rise in sea levels, and weather events becoming more extreme, climate change has disrupted national economies and affected the lives of billions of people and other living creatures around the globe.
In the light of the recent massive flooding that the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan had experienced this November 2020, more and more people are realizing the urgent need to protect our remaining forests in the northern Sierra Madre.
To address the concerns raised above, the Department of Development Communication and Languages (DDCL) now Department of Communication (DoC) of ISU has worked hand in hand with Mabuwaya Foundation for more than a decade in informing people and creating awareness about conservation issues in Northeast Luzon. Its CEPA Strategy on Philippine crocodile conservation has paved the way for reported significant increase over time in people’s awareness of legislation protecting crocodiles in the peripheral and urban areas from 41% of the people in 2008 to 76% in 2013 in the peripheral areas (Cureg, et al., 2016). As communication activities were facilitated and CEPA materials were distributed, different stakeholders were covered by the CEPA campaign which includes men and women in the community - fishers, farmers, school children and local government officials in the communities covered by the project.
In its continuing quest to protect the threatened species in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and other neighboring areas along the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Mabuwaya Foundation continues its CEPA campaigns to involve grassroots communities in conservation. As the integrity of the park, its biodiversity and its ecosystem services are threatened by illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, hunting, and unsustainable fishing, establishing community conserved areas is a way of addressing the threats to biodiversity. One of the underlying problems is that people composed of farmers, fishers, loggers, merchants, LGU officials, school children are not well aware why the park is important and what the rules and regulations are. Communities are not “engaged” in conservation and management of the park. Communication is seen as one of the basic tools in enhancing community engagement in conservation.
It is in this area that the DDCL, basically an academic department composed of Development Communication faculty members and students, extends assistance to MFI in the form of CEPA materials production and the implementation of CEPA campaign activities.
Communication campaigns in 12 target communities with at least 3,500 households will help increase awareness of men, women and children regarding the importance of and support for the conservation of natural ecosystems. The project will facilitate capacitating community members as sanctuary guards and in involving community members in monitoring species, land-use change and ecosystems (citizen science) which will help increase conservation awareness of the people.
Since many of the residents in the remote target areas have limited education, wherein a large portion of the adult population were only able to finish elementary schooling, CEPA campaigns will help inform and educate the people coming from different levels of educational background, including at least 50% women, on their role in environmental protection. Educating the community people on environmental law enforcement will help increase awareness and knowledge regarding environmental laws and its actual implementation on the ground. It is hoped that enhancing the capacity of community members as sanctuary managers will generate a high level of ownership over the sanctuaries, local adherence to rules and regulations and action if rules are not followed. Basically, MFI’s project seeks to implement activities like identifying nature-based livelihood options, training community members and supporting the actual establishment of nature-based livelihoods that will further increase support for conservation and provide alternative for unsustainable or illegal activities such as hunting and slash- and-burn farming.
Through intensive communication and education (in which DDCL will help facilitate) and with communities receiving lasting support for nature-based livelihood activities, it is hoped that majority of the men, women and children in the community will be convinced that ecosystem and biodiversity conservation is indeed needed. With people believing that biodiversity conservation is beneficial and its success rests in their hands, then sustainable safeguarding of critical habitats and associated species in the Northern Sierra Madre can be achieved.