State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth met with Philippine Environment Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje for an exchange of views in Berlin on 14 April 2014. Talks centred on the close cooperation between the two governments, in particular in the field of biological diversity and forest conservation. Waste management and water management issues were also on the agenda.
State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth stressed the importance of a binding agreement at the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Paris: "In Paris in 2015 we need to have a binding climate agreement in which all countries are involved in order to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius".
On the occasion of this year's 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries State Secretary Flasbarth praised the close environment cooperation within the framework of the International Climate Initiative. Under the International Climate Initiative the German Environment Ministry has supported ten bilateral projects totalling 39.1 million euro since 2008. In addition there is a range of regional projects which include the Philippines – for example projects on transboundary challenges of biodiversity conservation and adapation to climate change in the so-called Coral Triangle.
A few days earlier State Secretary Flasbarth met with Carlos Jericho Petilla, Secretary of the Department of Energy. Talks with the Energy Secretary and the Vice Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines focused on climate policy and renewable energies. Currently renewables account for approx. 28 percent of the electricity network in the Philippines and are based primarily on hydro and geothermal energy. It is estimated that a potential of 3,000 Megawatt can be tapped by 2030 in the geothermal sector making the Philippines the second largest energy producer in this sector after the US. Photovoltaics and wind energy are also sectors in which expansions are underway: As early as April/May the first solar power station with a capacity of approximately 30 Megawatt will be put into operation. By 2030 an increase in renewable energy to 15,300 Megawatt is planned, which would roughly triple today's share. With its climate legislation of 2009, the adaptation strategy and the climate action plan adopted in 2011, the Philippines are already seriously committed to ambitious climate action at national level. State Secretary Flasbarth encouraged the Philippines to also promote efforts at international level.
This year Germany and the Philippines are co-chairing the Board of the Green Climate Fund. State Secretary Flasbarth confirmed that preconditions for a first replenishment must be established in 2014. He stressed that Germany will stick to its commitments, continue to support ambitious climate action and will contribute substantially to climate financing.