2nd UK-Philippines Climate Change and Environment Dialogue Joint Press Statement
PH, UK agree on work plan on climate change, environmental degradation
2nd UK-Philippines Climate Change and Environment Dialogue Joint Press Statement
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the British Embassy Manila have agreed on a joint work plan that will serve as a guide in identifying the collaboration areas that should be prioritized by both countries following the conclusion of the 2nd Philippines-United Kingdom Climate Change and Environment Dialogue on February 10.
Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) Chair and DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said that the joint work plan will “guide the priority areas of engagement including regional facilities and programs announced at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021.”
This dialogue marks another milestone event highlighting the partnership of the Philippines with the government of United Kingdom (UK). It shall also build on the earlier priorities on climate change and the environment, identified by both parties during the 1st Climate Change and Environment Dialogue held in November 2020 as part of the key pillars of the UK-Philippines enhanced partnership which focused on energy transition and nature-based solutions and adaptation,
British Ambassador Laure Beaufils underscored the significance of the dialogue as it seeks to address the defining challenges of the current time, which are climate change and environmental degradation.
The UK and the Philippines have just launched a new Enhanced Partnership in November 2021. Climate change and environmental issues constitute a key pillar of this. I’m proud of what the UK and the Philippines have already achieved together on climate-related issues and we committed to building on this success today and in the year to come,
According to Beaufils, the dialogue helped both governments agree on “joint actions to build resilience, tackle global emissions, and halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity.”
Taking stock of the progress achieved during the first dialogue in November 2020, the 2nd Climate Change and Environment Dialogue highlighted the key elements of the ongoing cooperation such as formulation of the long-term strategy, provision of analytical tools to revisit the Nationally Determined Contribution and develop the National Adaptation Plan, and conservation of critical species and ecosystems across the Philippines.
It also focused on four strategic objectives for 2022, which include building the resilience of the economy, ecosystems and communities in the context of climate change; establishing a development pathway towards long-term climate-responsive strategies; mobilizing sustainable finance and greening the financial sector; and strengthening collaboration and increase awareness of institutions and communities in tackling climate change.
The UK agreed to provide a combination of programs, technical assistance, including practical research studies, policy support and market development mechanisms, technology partnerships, and sharing best practices to deliver on these objectives.