PH, Singapore boost partnership on climate action

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

PARTNERS ON CLIMATE ACTION. DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga (2nd from left) and Singaporean Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu Hai Yien (left) sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on climate action cooperation on Aug. 15, 2024. The two countries committed to deepen cooperation in exploring solutions towards climate resiliency. (Photo courtesy of DENR via PNA)

MANILA – The Philippines and Singapore have committed to strengthening partnership in the fight against climate change through sustainable measures.

In a news release on Tuesday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the two countries committed to deepening their collaboration and exploring innovative solutions for inclusive and climate-resilient development through water resource management, biodiversity conservation, energy transition, and reforestation.

DENR Secretary Maria Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga and Singaporean Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu Hai Yien signed on Aug. 15 a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam witnessed the MOU signing held at The Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City, as part of his three-day state visit to the Philippines last week.

“It enables both countries to cooperate on climate action in order to meet emission reduction targets through the development of high-integrity carbon credits while supporting reforestation and community development,” Loyzaga said.

Article 6 of the Paris climate pact recognizes that some parties choose to pursue voluntary cooperation in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions to allow for higher ambition in their mitigation and adaptation actions and promote sustainable development and environmental integrity.

Before the signing, representatives from the two countries, consisting of the private sector and government agencies, discussed efforts in sustainable development, leveraging technology to address shared challenges, attract international investments, and adopt best practices.

During the discussion,  Loyzaga and DENR Undersecretary for Integrated Environmental Science Carlos Primo David presented an overview of the DENR Geospatial Database Office’s (GDO) water resource management initiatives, showcasing its achievement in mapping the country’s natural resources, including water bodies, forests, and mangrove ecosystems.

Loyzaga said the DENR and its Singaporean counterparts would work together in achieving tangible gains against the impacts of climate change for both nations and setting a benchmark for science-informed bilateral and public-private cooperation in environmental stewardship.