Global warming intensifies PH’s vulnerability to climate crisis, says group

Global warming is escalating the Philippines’ vulnerability to the climate crisis, the international non-government organization 350.org said, as 2025 was recorded as the third-warmest year on record.

Citing a study of ClimaMeter, 350.org said warm sea surface temperatures made last year’s Super Typhoon Ragasa 10 to 40 times more likely.

“Extreme weather is rapidly becoming the norm, and the poorest, most vulnerable nations that contributed least to the climate crisis are paying the price,” Joanna Sta. Isabel, 350.org Asia Network Coordinator, said in a statement provided to GMA News Online.

She added that though the Philippines’ per capita emissions are only a third of the global average, the country still has a responsibility to meet its climate commitments, including phasing out fossil fuels and tripling renewable energy by 2030.

According to think tank Ember, the Philippines relied on fossil fuels for 79% of its electricity in 2024 while its emissions per capita were just a third of the global average.

“It must transition to clean energy—fast and fairly. However, the shift to renewables must not replicate the exploitative model of fossil fuels, and must center on community ownership and participation,” Sta. Isabel said.

She suggested that the country could join the ‘coalition of the willing,’ where over 80 countries o are charting a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels.

“Within the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), it should demand that rich countries or historic polluters pay up to finance loss and damage and the transition to clean energy,” Sta. Isabel said.

“It is the only way justice can be served to climate-vulnerable communities who suffer most," she added.

The data from the European Union's European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) found that average temperatures have exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming over three years from 2023 to 2025.

The hottest year on record was 2024. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News