By: Miguel Roberto Parungo
In an effort to create more relevant discussions on the issues of climate change, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) launched the Climate Change Community of Practice (ccc-cop.org) last December 18, 2015 at Novotel in Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. The Community of Practice (CoP) serves as a platform in storing and disseminating climate change data to the public. The goals of the website is to make applicable, accurate, and trustworthy research materials and best practices in climate change adaptation and disaster risk management readily available to the public at large.
The website is under the GMMA Ready Project, which aims to increase the capacity of stakeholders for effective disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. The project is implemented by the National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council – Office of Civil Defence (NDRRMC-OCD). It is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Australian Aid Program (AusAID). The partners who are responsible for the project are the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), and the Collective Strengthening of Community Awareness on Natural Disasters (CSCAND). CSCAND is comprised of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), Office of Civil Defence (OCD), Philippine Atmospheric, Geosciences, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
The contents of the CoP website were accomplished with the assistance of Social Enterprise Development Partnerships, Inc (SEDPI). With the assistance of SEDPI, CCC will be marketing the website to the Local Government Units, specifically those located in the Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA). This strategy hopes to create ease of access for the general public to resources that will improve local and national climate resiliency.
As a portal of information, the CoP provides credible, reliable, and science-based information from government sectors and subject-matter experts. The website also promotes sharing of information from public and private sectors. Visitors of the site can get reliable information, readily available at their fingertips.
Website Features
During the website launch, Knowledge Management Communication Specialist Donna Sanidad showcased the many different features of the site.
The CoP hopes to make preventive information readily available and digestible, so that it can be disseminated even before disasters happen. Local government units can then be empowered to take action, since they will have access to reliable information that they can use to make plans and educational materials.
Disaster Risk Reduction Management Portal
The website contains multiple pages on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery with disasters such as tropical cyclone, storm surges, floods, el niño, landslide, volcanic eruptions, tsunami, and earthquakes. The public can access resources which they find relevant in their localities and apply protocols that they find relevant in their areas.
Knowledge Sharing
One unique feature of the KM-CoP website is an interactive section through which knowledge and information, skills, or expertise in the fields of disaster risk reduction management and climate change adaptation is exchanged among communities.
You can apply as a contributor and impart your knowledge and share your expertise while learning from other experts. Help communities grow by answering questions from the public
Resources for Local Government Units
Another benefit of the CoP is access to information on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for local development planning. One will be able to find case studies and relevant publication on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy implementations at local levels. Read on the tools on monitoring and evaluation of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy for LGUs.
Membership in the Communities
Being part of the communities will give you access to resources from various national and local agencies in the fields of Human Security, Food Security, Ecological and Environmental Stability, Sustainable Energy, Knowledge and Capacity Development, Water Sufficiency, Climate-smart industries and services, Monitoring and Evaluation, Gender Mainstreaming, and Financing.
Get access to the website through ccc-cop.org.