By Kenneth Marcos 
Along coastal villages and farming towns across the Philippines, the signs of climate change are no longer distant warnings. Fisherfolk face stronger storms. Farmers deal with longer droughts and sudden floods. As the world marks the 10th year of the Paris Agreement, the country once again looks to this global pact as a vital shield for its people and food supply.
The Philippines is one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. Its geography makes it highly exposed to typhoons, rising sea levels, heat waves, and shifting rainfall patterns. For this reason, the Paris Agreement remains deeply important to the country’s future.
Adopted on December 12, 2015, during the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, the Paris Agreement brought together 195 countries with one clear goal: to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This target aims to reduce the most dangerous impacts of climate change, especially on vulnerable countries like the Philippines.
Ten years later, the agreement continues to guide global climate action. For the Philippines, it serves both as protection and opportunity. By committing countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the pact seeks to slow down climate-related disasters that threaten lives, livelihoods, and food production.
The agreement also recognizes that developing countries need support. Climate finance is a key part of the deal. It opens access to funding that helps nations invest in climate adaptation and resilience. For the Philippines, this means support for flood control projects, climate-resilient agriculture, early warning systems, and stronger coastal defenses.
Agriculture remains one of the most affected sectors. Farmers face unpredictable planting seasons, reduced harvests, and higher risks from pests and diseases linked to warmer temperatures. Climate finance and technology transfer under the Paris Agreement help promote climate-smart farming, better irrigation systems, and improved seed varieties that can withstand extreme weather.
Communities on the frontlines of climate change benefit most when global promises turn into real action. In many rural areas, projects supported by climate funding help protect watersheds, restore mangroves, and improve disaster preparedness. These efforts reduce damage from floods and storms while protecting food sources and incomes.
Despite progress, experts say global action remains too slow. Emissions continue to rise, and climate impacts are becoming more severe. The Philippines continues to call for stronger commitments from major polluting countries, emphasizing fairness and shared responsibility. Nations that contribute the most to emissions are urged to lead in cutting pollution and providing financial support.
As the Paris Agreement enters its second decade, the message is clear. Climate action is not just about the environment. It is about protecting families, ensuring food security, and safeguarding the future of the next generation. For a country that faces an average of 20 typhoons a year, delay comes at a high cost.
The Philippines remains committed to the goals of the Paris Agreement. But success depends on real global cooperation, sustained financing, and urgent action. The next ten years will be critical in determining whether the world can still avoid the worst effects of climate change.
As climate threats grow stronger, the Paris Agreement stands as a reminder that collective action is possible—and necessary—to protect the most vulnerable and secure a safer, more resilient future for all.
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