‘Paris climate deal hinders Philippine development’

MANILA, Philippines – With his plans to steer the country to industrialization, President Duterte reiterated he will not honor the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change, saying it will hinder the country’s development.

“What they cannot understand is this treaty in Paris, there is no treaty to honor. We have not signed the treaty. We just committed to draft a treaty – a provision, so that we can be able to present our game plan and sign the treaty,” Duterte said.

The President called on Congress to provide him with a clear understanding of the treaty.

The Philippines was among 195 nations that pledged last December in Paris to cut down carbon emissions to contain global warming to below two degrees Celsius.

“Congress is there. What I said was, it is not clear. You know climate change is just invented. There is really change. But who caused it? Not us,” he said.

“So let us be clear, give me a clear view of what will happen to the treaty if we decide or the Senate will agree with it, if they will give their concurrence, then give me a clear view of what will be the outcome,” Duterte said on Friday.

Duterte made his point during his speech at the inspection of the Buluan 4.5-megawatt power plant of Green Earth Corporation in Barangay Poblacion, Buluan in Maguindanao.

The President then bared his plans to create industrial zones all over the country as he ushers the Philippines into its golden era of development.

“Because I have plans to put up industrial zones everywhere. Then China would be my easy market locators,” Duterte said, noting that China is more promising right now compared to the United States.

“China has the money, not America. The Americans have no money and they are deeply involved in the global fight against terrorism. Who imported terrorism? It’s them not us,” he said.

If the government would be limited by the carbon emissions, Duterte said every attempt at the country’s development would also be restricted by the Paris agreement.

He noted that it is the first time that a factory in Buluan followed environmental standards, a move he wants to replicate all over the country.

Duterte also urged developed countries not to burden developing countries such as the Philippines. He added developed countries had wantonly destroyed the environment when they industrialized.

“All the years, in the industrialization from the 60’s, 70’s, it was China, America, Europe, they continued to emit their poisonous fumes in the name of prosperity…now they have reached the pinnacle of economic power, now they wanted us to follow …not with us, we should not hurry up and do it slowly and steadily,” he said.

Duterte slammed the US and European countries for imposing on developing nations when they have not initiated actions to also reduce their respective carbon footprints.

Duterte said the Philippines cannot attain progress and development if it will be limited by the treaty and impose upon itself the restrictions.

“The problem is even if it is a self-imposed restriction, there is always a standard to follow,” he said.

Under the agreement, 195 nations promised last December in Paris to cut carbon emissions to contain global warming below 2 degrees Celsius, at which point an increase in Earth’s temperature would be irreversible. The deal pegged global efforts to limit the increase in temperature to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels.

The Philippines, among the nations worst affected by extreme weather events caused by climate change, had lobbied hard for the agreement to finally be signed in April after several failed negotiations. It has been signed by more than 170 countries.

The Philippines has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030.