MANILA, Philippines — Economic damage to the Philippines could reach up to 7.6 percent of gross domestic product by 2030 and by 13.6 percent of GDP by 2040 if no action is taken to address climate change, according to the World Bank. “GDP would be lower by that much if climate change is left unaddressed,” said Ndiame Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. “Without action, climate change will impose substantial economic and human costs, affecting the poorest households the most,” he said. While climate change poses a threat, Coulibaly said adaptation actions could reduce the economic losses by around two-thirds. He said there is also a need to improve the coordination of climate actions at all levels of government, enhance the capabilities of local government units (LGUs) to design and implement climate actions, and focus on effective implementation of existing plans and regulations.
