PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been lauded by the United Nations Human Habitat for his innovative environmental efforts in his home province of Ilocos Norte.

As provincial governor from 1998 to 2007, Marcos launched environment mitigation and adaptation projects which resulted in Ilocos Norte having the lowest carbon footprint in Asia.

The recognition was given during the World Urban Forum held in Katowice, Poland, last June, attended by representatives of 143 countries and organized by UN Human Habitat.

UN Undersecretary Maimonah Mohd Sharif sent the congratulatory message to Marcos through Climate Change Commissioner Albert de la Cruz who represented the Philippines in the summit which centered on climate change and urban development in a post-pandemic world.

De la Cruz presented the Chief Executive’s Climate Innovation Book to Sharif and Katowice Mayor Marcin Krupa.

The body hailed Marcos for initiating programs which included solar and hydroelectric sources of power as well the Bangui windmills that helped cut carbon dioxide emission.

“President Marcos Jr. accomplished our world vision of carbon neutrality by the year 2050 to save our planet since way back 25 years ago. It takes political will and innovative leadership for our leaders to save our planet from climate change and pass it to the next generation,” de la Cruz said.

He also presented the past administration’s environmental initiatives such as the law creating the Climate Change Commission, the first standalone government agency focused on global warming and the cleanup and rehabilitation of Boracay in Aklan and Manila Bay.

Marcos put a heavy emphasis on climate change during his inaugural speech last week and when he met with the diplomatic corps later on.

The 64-year-old President renewed the Philippines’ commitment in helping address climate change, stressing that global warming is “terribly important” to the country as it is “very much in the most vulnerable position” compared to the more developed nations.