Legarda Meets With French Envoy for Environment

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda will meet with Mr. Nicolas Hulot, Special Envoy of the French President for the Protection of the Planet, on January 22, 2015 to discuss climate-related issues, including Philippine-French coordination in preparation for the COP 21 or the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, France.

“This year’s UN Climate Change Conference in Paris is very crucial as nations are set to adopt a binding and universal climate agreement that will take effect in 2020. As the host country, France should not only be a venue but also a leader in the climate talks,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Environment and Natural Resources, and Climate Change.

“Mr. Hulot’s appointment as Special Envoy of the French President for the Protection of the Planet is an attestation of the French government’s strong commitment towards resilience and sustainable development,” she added.

Mr. Hulot, a French politician and former journalist, was appointed as French President Francois Hollande’s Special Envoy for the Protection of the Planet in 2012 as part of France’s efforts to raise awareness about climate change, promote the implementation of climate mitigation policies, and influence action towards protection of the environment.

Legarda noted that President Hollande has been initiating measures towards energy transition and aims to halve French consumption on fossil fuels by the year 2050 as part of France’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We want to strengthen cooperation between the Philippines and France in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. We also hope that like France, other nations, especially the biggest emitters of greenhouse gas, would not only agree with climate treaties but also translate commitment into urgent action by cutting down on pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing fossil fuel consumption, promoting the use of renewable energy, and assisting developing nations that are most vulnerable to the effects of environmental degradation and climate change,” Legarda said.