EU Eager to Engage PH in Fighting Climate Change

The European Union (EU) is ready to engage with the Philippines in raising Filipinos’ awareness on the ill-effects of climate change and ways to mitigate it as it commemorates the Human Rights Day in the country.

On Wednesday, the bloc hosted the first-ever human rights forum dedicated to the fight against climate change in hopes of stirring response from the Filipino people.

The event held in Makati was attended by Commission on Human Rights chairperson Chito Gascon, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources who were joined by at least 160 participants from the private sector and advocacy groups.

In a speech, EU’s Chargé d’ Affaires in Manila Thomas Wiersing underscored that the Philippines is one of the countries identified as most vulnerable to flooding and potential submersion if climate change is not mitigated.

“And in these countries, the poor and disadvantaged risk to be even more affected than others. This is why we have decided to dedicate this year’s commemoration of Human Rights Day for the first time to the topic Climate Change: The new challenge for human rights: Act Now!” he said.

The United Nations Human Rights Council itself has recognized that human rights obligations have the potential to strengthen policymaking in the area of climate change and sustainable outcomes.

“The EU stands for democracy, the rule of law, and the respect of fundamental freedoms and human rights. Yes, we may not agree on all issues when it comes to human rights — and the EU’s position is well known — but the EU is eager to engage with the Philippines to support sustainable development and to fight climate change,” he said.

In this light, Wiersing underscored the need for the public to fight for their right to live in a sustainable environment regardless of wherever they come from.

“But climate protection is not only the job of governments. We all need to make an effort — be it in our homes, communities and workplaces. If we move together, we will also move faster, and this is in the interest of all of us,” he added. (PNA)