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| President Rodrigo Duterte said that he will sign the Paris agreement which imposes carbon limit on the country to mitigate climate change. Presidential Photographers Division | By Patricia Lourdes Viray via Philstar |
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday announced that he will sign the Paris Agreement to combat climate change after his Cabinet voted in favor of doing so.
Duterte revealed that his Cabinet members voted unanimously for him to sign the agreement.
"After so much debate, 'yung climate change [agreement] pipirmahan ko because of a unanimous vote except for one... and ako 'yung isa which was arguing about if it's a binding treaty you have to have a sanction," Duterte said in a speech during the oath-taking of National Press Club officials in Malacañang.
The president earlier slammed western countries for imposing carbon limit on the Philippines to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Duterte also said earlier this year that he will not honor the climate agreement pushed by the previous administration as it would block the progress of the country.
The chief executive, however, clarified that it was only an "expression" when he said that he was not keen on the historic climate agreement.
"When I said that I was not keen to it, I was only expressing my... expression. I do not lose the freedom of expression just because I am the president. I am not barred from giving my own opinion just because I am the president," Duterte said.
Duterte added that there was no point signing the Paris Agreement, which commits the Philippines to decreasing its carbon emission by 0.3 percent as national law already states that the country has to reduce it by 70 percent.
"Ang national law natin says that over the years we will have to reduce it by 70 (percent), if I'm not mistaken. Sobra nga. Ang hinihingi nila 0.3 (percent)... We overshot it by a thousand miles," the president said.
Rich countries do not have to pay a penalty ifthey violate the climate deal as there is no binding agreement, the president said.
"Industrialized countries are known not to honor financial obligations, especially America. It has not paid its dues to the United Nations," Duterte said. The US is no longer listed by the UN as being "in arrears in the payment of their financial contributions" but reportedly owed dues to the UN in 2015.
The Paris Agreement became international law on November 4, becoming a landmark demonstrating that countries are serious in addressing global warming.
At least 96 countries or over two-thirds of the world's sources of greenhouse gas emissions have formally joined the accord, which seeks to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. More countries are expected to sign the agreement in the coming weeks and months.
"After so much debate, 'yung climate change [agreement] pipirmahan ko because of a unanimous vote except for one... and ako 'yung isa which was arguing about if it's a binding treaty you have to have a sanction," Duterte said in a speech during the oath-taking of National Press Club officials in Malacañang.
The president earlier slammed western countries for imposing carbon limit on the Philippines to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Duterte also said earlier this year that he will not honor the climate agreement pushed by the previous administration as it would block the progress of the country.
"When I said that I was not keen to it, I was only expressing my... expression. I do not lose the freedom of expression just because I am the president. I am not barred from giving my own opinion just because I am the president," Duterte said.
Duterte added that there was no point signing the Paris Agreement, which commits the Philippines to decreasing its carbon emission by 0.3 percent as national law already states that the country has to reduce it by 70 percent.
"Ang national law natin says that over the years we will have to reduce it by 70 (percent), if I'm not mistaken. Sobra nga. Ang hinihingi nila 0.3 (percent)... We overshot it by a thousand miles," the president said.
Rich countries do not have to pay a penalty ifthey violate the climate deal as there is no binding agreement, the president said.
"Industrialized countries are known not to honor financial obligations, especially America. It has not paid its dues to the United Nations," Duterte said. The US is no longer listed by the UN as being "in arrears in the payment of their financial contributions" but reportedly owed dues to the UN in 2015.
The Paris Agreement became international law on November 4, becoming a landmark demonstrating that countries are serious in addressing global warming.
At least 96 countries or over two-thirds of the world's sources of greenhouse gas emissions have formally joined the accord, which seeks to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. More countries are expected to sign the agreement in the coming weeks and months.
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