It was difficult to summarize the Philippine positions at the COP21, but I found some articles that helped me understand this.  But what struck me the most is what was said that the Philippine delegation presented the country as the "face of climate vulnerability" as we remember the devastation brought about by SuperTyphoon Haiyan in November 2013.  The delegation was led by Climate Change Commissioner and lead negotiator, Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman, who came with over 150 delegates.

"Indeed, for the Philippines, climate change means sorrowful catalogues of casualty and fatality the countless voices of the homeless and the grieving, their very tears and screams carried to us by the winds and waves that blew their homes away," Secretary De Guzman. He said, "During moments of great violence and bereavement, 'victim' is an inadequate word to capture the loss and damage visited upon us."

Negotiators employed various strategies to ensure that the interests of the Philippines are protected in the Climate deal under discussion. At the end of the COP21, the official Philippine delegation agreed to the adoption of the Climate Change Agreement.

Working on the draft Agreement, the Philippine negotiators introduced the provision on human rights.  On this point, the Philippines called for the inclusion of the rights of indigenous peoples.  The Philippine delegation was also able to give its position on priority topics like climate finance and technology transfer on shifting to renewable energy.  The Philippines gave a "strong" statement urging countries to aim for a more ambitious goal to keep warming not just at 2°C, but at 1.5°C. This could easily mean saving the lives of a few hundred million people.  

Also during the COP21, the Philippine delegation presented the "Not on Our Watch?"campaign or #NowPh, which empowered the young people of the country to raise awareness on climate change by promoting  15 Ways to Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) in communities all over the Philippines.  By the time of the presentation in Paris in December 2015, the 3-month campaign had over 3 million pledges from the young people.

Photo from AG Sano - Dec. 14, 2015

Caption:  While the deal was being forged at the COP by the tireless and sleepless negotiators, thousands of activists/advocates from all over the world took to the streets of Paris to declare that change will begin with the people!!!