Philippines, EU eye green economy partnership

MANILA, Philippines —  A partnership on green economy, environmental protection and disaster risk reduction has been discussed by the Philippines and the European Union.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga met with EU Ambassador Luc Veron to discuss a close partnership amid efforts to minimize the impact of climate change.

“Grateful to DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) for their sustained efforts in safeguarding the Philippines’ environment and its natural resources,” Veron posted on X, formerly Twitter, after his farewell courtesy call yesterday.

Efforts to minimize climate change’s impact are gaining headway with the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP), Loyzaga said.

Loyzaga is the official representative of President Marcos to the Climate Change Commission.

The NAP and its companion measure NDCIP are in full swing, she noted, as local government units are urged to adapt and become resilient.

“This will ensure that adaptation and mitigation can be embedded across sectors, scales and geographies,” she added.

Loyzaga has mobilized support for the NAP and NDCIP, particularly in coordinating assistance and investments of development partners and financial institutions to achieve mitigation and adaptation goals.

The Philippines is one of 56 countries that have submitted their NAP to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Support being established with development partners would be aligned with climate action priorities, which include the protection and regeneration of blue and green ecosystems, building climate-resilient communities, transition to clean energy, water and food security, responsible and sustainable mineral resource development, investing in gray and green infrastructure, value-generating digitalization and creation of more green and blue jobs, Loyzaga said.

Citing the President’s instruction, she reiterated that the value of the NAP and NDCIP must be translated to the benefit of communities and disseminated among local governments.