5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement: A renewed call for urgent climate action

Recently again, the Philippines was sadly and severely hit by extreme climatic events whose frequency and destructiveness continue to intensify year after year. Indeed, in a span of only a month, Typhoons Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses caused significant human and material damage in the country.

In response, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling for the declaration of a national climate emergency in the Philippines. This represents an acknowledgement of the reality of climate change and its causes in a world where too many people still believe that climate change does not exist, or is not caused by human activities.

On Dec. 12, 2015, during the COP 21 United Nations climate change summit held in Paris, 195 countries and the European Union adopted a historic agreement that deals with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, climate change adaptation and green finance.

Under the Paris Agreement, each State signatory is called to outline its own actions to mitigate the impact of climate change by submitting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) – a reflection of the country’s ambition for reducing its emissions while taking into account its domestic circumstances and capabilities. State parties are expected to submit their respective NDCs by the end of this year.

This Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. It will be an important moment in an international climate calendar that has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a major opportunity to put the climate back at the heart of the global agenda. On this occasion, France, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, Chile and Italy will co-host the Climate Ambition Summit – an international high-level virtual event that will gather world leaders in order to demonstrate new, enhanced ambitions in the fight against climate change.

On this same date, the French embassy in Manila, together with the German embassy and the regional representations of the European Union and the United Nations Development Program in Fiji, will co-organize an online celebration of this anniversary with the government of the Marshall Islands, which was the very first country in the world to submit an updated NDC in November 2018. This initiative aims to commemorate the adoption of the Paris Agreement five years ago through an event which will highlight the specific climate change-related challenges in the Pacific region.

While the Philippines is currently in the process of finalizing its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) into a fully-fledged NDC, it is worth noting that the country has made ambitious announcements towards a stronger program in favor of sustainable development. One recent example is the  issuance of a moratorium on new coal power projects, as well as allowing 100 percent foreign ownership for large-scale geothermal projects, which is a welcome signal for investors and signifies that the Philippines is taking a turn to embrace renewable energy.

In addition, the Philippines has become the first Asian country to join the Alliance for Rainforests – an open coalition of countries spearheaded by France and its partners that share the same advocacy for the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of the world’s tropical forests. The protection of biodiversity is of course part of a holistic response to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

As we move forward, 2021 will be a decisive year for global climate and biodiversity.

In January 2021, France will host a new edition of the One Planet Summit, which will be an opportunity to take action in favor of biodiversity and to raise the level of international action on environmental preservation and climate protection, while providing answers to questions arising from the current global health crisis.

Later in the year, the IUCN World Conservation Congress will be held in Marseille, France to bring together world leaders, set priorities and steer conservation and sustainable development efforts.

Last but not the least, the 26th Conference of Parties for Climate will take place in Glasgow, United Kingdom in November 2021 while the Conference of Parties for Biodiversity is scheduled to be held in May in Kunming, China.

In this very crucial time for the planet, it is more important than ever to build the world of tomorrow – one that is more inclusive, more sustainable and more resilient. All the commitments taken during international events, in the past and those to come, must be turned into concrete actions. As we have done for many years through the funding of the French Development Agency and other French institutions and through bilateral cooperation in the areas of climate, environment, agriculture and health, France stands ready to support the Philippines in the fulfilment of their projects.

Climate change knows no borders. It is our belief that multilateral cooperation, together with a shared sense of responsibility, is key to ensuring a better future. It is not too late to act. We welcome and support the Philippines’ commitment to continue to be an active partner in this vital endeavor.

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Nicolas Galey is Ambassador of France to the Philippines and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau.