Noy, Hollande launch global call to combat climate change

MANILA, Philippines - This battle needs more resolute global action.

President Aquino and French President Francois Hollande led yesterday the launching of the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change, seeking an agreement that would better address the challenge for the sake of billions of people affected by destructive weather occurrences.

The call was made ahead of the 21st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris (COP21) in December.

“As we meet in the Philippines, where people have endured an unprecedented series of extreme weather events in the last few years, we are reminded that while the developing countries have contributed least to climate change, they are the ones that suffer the most from climate change impacts,” the document read.

“While we face similar threats and shared vulnerabilities, we have also varying strengths and capacities to address these challenges,” it said.

In the document, the two leaders also urged developed and developing countries “in a position and willing to do so, to provide the poorest and vulnerable countries with adequate means of implementation to help them achieve their transition to resilient territories and low carbon economies.”

During the launching held beside the iconic balete tree at the Palace, Hollande stressed “we need the Philippines” to lead efforts to mobilize members of the international community to combat climate change.

He said such endeavor should not be delayed, even amid other major concerns like terrorism, economic difficulties and poverty.

Hollande said France would provide assistance to the Philippines to address climate change and speed up the rehabilitation of areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda, specifically Guiuan, Eastern Samar that he is set to visit today.

According to Hollande, the international community would never be able to “find agreement” on how to combat climate change if countries would continue to prioritize other issues even as natural disasters were becoming much more destructive.

Solidarity in action

In his speech, Aquino said the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change “represents solidarity in action,” even as he expressed hopes that the joint call would help the world gain momentum toward a truly global initiative to address climate change.

“I extend my gratitude to President Hollande and the Republic of France, along with all nations of goodwill, who have pledged action to address this global threat,” Aquino said.

Over the past few years, Aquino said the Philippines had found itself at the forefront of climate issues.

For instance, more typhoons have visited the country during the Christmas season instead of during the rainy months of June to November, including Yolanda in 2013.

“Our administration has thus been confronted by a vicious and unsustainable cycle of destruction and reconstruction. In fact, Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby in 2014) managed to destroy the bunkhouses in Tacloban built in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Our primary objective is to stop this cycle of destruction and reconstruction, which is why we are building back better,” Aquino said.

“However, there is a truism that we must consider: When you fight Mother Nature, you cannot win. Hence, to address this issue, we must not just deal with the after-effects of climate change, but with its primordial causes,” he said.

“In this light, we, as a developing country, welcome that countries like France have emerged as champions of a global partnership to address this issue,” he said.

“The choice before us is clear. We can either overcome this problem together, or together reap the consequences of apathy,” Aquino said.

For this reason, Aquino said it was incumbent upon countries to conclude a universal climate change agreement in Paris later this year: ambitious and guided by science, and which would allow developing countries to pursue their economic goals in the context of sustainable development.

“Rest assured that the Philippines will continue to exert its utmost to address this issue, and follow through on the commitments outlined in this call to action. We stand in hope that many nations in the global community will do the same,” Aquino said.

The French president’s visit reciprocates Aquino’s first official visit to France in September 2014. In 1986, France was the first country to recognize the government of President Corazon Aquino under another socialist president – François Mitterand.

Hollande is accompanied by the minister of foreign affairs and international development Laurent Fabius, minister of state for development and Francophony Annick Girardin, minister of ecology, sustainable development and energy Ségolène Royal, and France’s special envoy for the protection of the planet Nicolas Hulot, who was in the country last January.

Also with the French leader were personalities involved in environmental advocacies, such as actresses Marion Cotillard and Mélanie Laurent, Patriarch Bartholomew I of the Orthodox Church, and high officials from various international organizations.

Hollande will make a symbolic visit today to Guiuan, Samar, one of the areas most devastated by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. His visit will end with a reception for the French community in the Philippines.

Hours before Hollande and Aquino jointly called on the global community to support the signing of a climate agreement, the French leader underscored his country’s friendship and solidarity with the Philippines, whose experience with recent disastrous typhoons “can best embody climate destruction in the world.”

“Why did we come? First because we are friends and always support the country (Philippines) that can best embody climate destruction in the world,” said Hollande, who delivered his speech with an interpreter.

“We are facing this responsibility bringing heads of state and government, international institutions and the UN to find an agreement on climate that is a binding one,” he said. “This is a challenge for us the host country and the entire world because the future is at stake. We need the commitment of everyone,” he added.

The French leader said one of the goals of the December conference in Paris is to reach an “agreement between states” so that “each can provide contribution to tackle climate change.”

The goals also include setting up funding to guarantee energy transition in poor countries as well as gathering a broad alliance of government, businesses, local authorities and NGOs to address climate change.

“We can work and draft the binding agreement. I have no doubt the most fragile country will contribute,” Hollande said.

The French president acknowledged measures taken by countries to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions but that they still “have to take firm commitment.”

Hollande’s state visit is the first by an incumbent leader of France since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947.

Sharing expertise

The French government is willing to share its expertise with the Philippines to help address infrastructure and renewable energy needs as France looks to forge an alliance with the country in addressing climate change and achieving economic development.

Speaking at the Makati Business Club and Philippines-France Business Council Special Membership Meeting yesterday, Hollande said since the Philippines faces infrastructure gaps and has a great need for investments in renewable energy, the French government is willing to share its expertise.

“There are some huge needs of the Philippines, including development of infrastructure. The needs would be above $100 billion. There are also some major investments needed for renewable energy as well as for development of faculty centers and universities. This is where France can stand by you,” he said.

Since the 21st session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is set to be held in Paris in December this year, Hollande said the two countries can also work together to mitigate the impact of climate change. – With Aurea Calica