French embassy lauds PH gov’t for ratifying climate pact

The Embassy of France in the Philippines on Tuesday congratulated the Philippine government for officially accepting the climate change agreement.

“The Philippines now joins 133 other parties to the Paris Agreement, representing more than 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions,” the Embassy said in a statement.

The Senate approved the Paris Agreement, which was signed in New York last year, by voting unanimously on third and final reading on Tuesday.

READ: Senate approves reso on Paris Agreement on final reading

The Embassy pointed out that “the road to the Paris Climate Conference (COP21),” which paved the way for the crafting of the agreement, started in the Philippines in February 2015 when French President François Hollande visited the country to launch the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change.

“This call to the international community symbolized our shared commitment in the fight against climate change,” it said.

During the climate change talks in Paris, the Philippine delegation led climate vulnerable countries into calling for more progressive action.

The Embassy singled out Senator Loren Legarda, who has been championing climate change issues.

“We also recognize the commitment demonstrated by the previous and current administrations in addressing climate change,” it said.

“The ratification of the Paris Agreement, which coincides with the 70th year anniversary of French-Philippine diplomatic relations, opens new perspectives for our two countries to develop and implement sustainable solutions towards a greener, more sustainable future for our planet,” the Embassy said.

It added that France has pledged $100 billion annually by 2022 for the Green Climate Fund, which will be allocated for the adaptation and mitigation initiatives of developing countries.