France and Philippines collaborate to reach an agreement at COP21

President Hollande was urged by a coalition of regional NGO’s in Southeast Asia to help the more vulnerable nations by pledging clear and separate funding for climate adaption.

French President Francois Hollande(pictured right) , the chair of the UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris in December, visited the Philippines to seek support on collaborating with France’s partners in tackling the issues of climate change.

Policy and Research Coordinator of Oxfam in Asia, Risa Bernabe said: “We urge President Hollande and leaders of developed countries to commit to stand-alone financing for climate change adaptation or projects which prepare for climate impact, especially for poor farmers and fishers in Southeast Asia, who are the poorest of the poor”.

Bernabe added: “Rich nations like France must commit to adaptation funds, which should be separate from funds for mitigation, or projects to reduce carbon emissions”. 

The ASEAN voiced their appeal for a Fair, Ambitious and Binding global Climate Deal (A-FAB) on Thursday in Philippines, Manila.

The agreement comprises of Eastern Regional Organisation for Public Administration (EROPA), Greenpeace and Oxfam.

President Hollande’s first visit to the Philippines emphasises his efforts to focus on climate related agreements from 195 countries to reach a global agreement at COP21.

According to the Climate Justice Campaigner for Greenpeace, Anna Abad “President Hollande aims to show to the rest of the world that climate change is real and happening in vulnerable countries like the Philippines, that have a small carbon footprint but are facing the brunt of the climate crisis”.

President Hollande and Phillipine President Benigno Aquino the third led a joint statement urging the international community to reach a universally ambitious deal instead of stating intended goals regarding issues of finance and technology about reducing GHGs.

President Hollande said: “I have offered to President Aquino 50 million euros through the French Development Agency to work on projects to prevent some further disasters from happening”. The loan offer was accepted by the Philippines government.

They said: “From Manila today, we hope to make history together in Paris in December and not simply watch history unfold”.

However, A-FAB believe that for a successful outcome at the Climate Summit in Paris, there needs to be a stronger commitment for action which would aim toward phasing out the nuclear energy and replacing it with 100 per cent renewable energy.