This milestone agreement underscores their pledge to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and transition toward a low-emissions economy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said in a statement.
The declaration was signed simultaneously by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City and New Zealand Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
“Our government and New Zealand’s are united by a common purpose: to build climate-resilient communities while accelerating the transition to a low-emissions economy,” said the DENR chief. She highlighted the Philippines' vulnerability to climate impacts and the need to balance economic recovery and sustainability.
The agreement outlines an 18-month timeline to formalize frameworks for cooperation, emphasizing innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth. It includes strategies for job creation, private investment, and the integration of science and technology to drive progress.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement, particularly aligning financial flows with low-emission and climate-resilient goals. They also stressed the importance of carbon pricing and eliminating harmful subsidies to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
This partnership builds on New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to Manila in April 2024 and subsequent technical discussions between climate officials in October.
Loyzaga said this cooperation aims to build a model of inclusive growth that addresses the urgency of climate action and the promise of a sustainable future.
The declaration serves as a critical step in fostering innovative and effective solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts, strengthening ties between the two nations.
