Greenpeace urges immediate passage of CLIMA Bill amid alarming heat crisis in the Philippines

Greenpeace is calling for the swift enactment of the Climate Accountability (CLIMA) Bill following a new report by Climate Central, which revealed that Manila experienced extreme heat for 69 days since December 2024—making it the third most affected megacity worldwide. The report also highlights the growing impact of climate change on major Philippine cities, including Zamboanga, Quezon City, Davao, Caloocan, and Canagatan, Cagayan.

Climate change intensifies extreme heat

The Climate Central report found that one in five people globally—approximately 1.8 billion individuals—experienced high temperatures made at least twice as likely due to climate change between December 2024 and February 2025. The Philippines, already vulnerable to typhoons, is also suffering from prolonged extreme heat, further stressing communities and public health systems.

Greenpeace Philippines Climate and Energy Campaigner Khevin Yu emphasized the urgent need for government intervention:

“Hindi na lang ito basta init. We’ve seen how the heat recently caused disruptions in schooling and the way it sent Filipinos to hospitals last year. It’s crucial for the government to ensure that the country is prepared for hotter months ahead—and potentially hotter years as we face the brunt of the climate crisis.”

Greenpeace calls for national preparedness

Greenpeace is urging national and local governments to adopt measures that will strengthen resilience against extreme heat, including:

Improved weather forecasting with early warning systems for heat waves
Financial support for farmers and fisherfolk to protect harvests and livelihoods
More green spaces in cities to provide cooling areas, especially for vulnerable populations such as senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities

Yu stressed that the government must prioritize climate justice and hold fossil fuel companies accountable:

“This report spotlights the fact that in the Philippines, when we’re not being battered by super typhoons, we’re being roasted by extreme heat. The onus is on the Marcos Jr. administration to ensure climate justice is the top agenda of the government.”

Pushing for the CLIMA Bill and climate justice

Greenpeace is calling on President Marcos Jr. to push forward a Philippine Climate Justice Agenda that includes the immediate passage of the CLIMA Bill. The bill seeks to establish stronger policies to hold major polluters accountable and enforce measures to mitigate climate-related disasters.

With the 2025 midterm elections approaching, Greenpeace is also urging candidates at both the national and local levels to prioritize climate justice in their platforms.

“The government should guarantee the swift passage of the Climate Accountability or CLIMA Bill,” Yu said. “Candidates must put climate justice front and center once they come into office.”

Greenpeace and other environmental advocates continue to demand urgent action, warning that without immediate policy changes, extreme heat events will only worsen in the years to come.