I?ve been monitoring our new President's stand on environmental protection by what he says about Climate Change.  In July 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, declared that the Philippines would not honor commitments it made under the Paris Agreement in the COP21.  I think this was because when the Philippines signed the Paris Agreement, it was done in the context of being one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.  In order for the Philippines to manage, the world levels of carbon emissions needed to be reduced below the 1.5C level.  To reach the Philippine targets, the industrialized countries need to cut their emissions drastically and support adaptation strategies for developing countries.

One of our well-known environmentalists, who was former Secretary of the Climate Change Commission in the previous administration tried to explain what might be the President?s message being taken out of context.  In her Twitter post, former Secretary Lucille Sering said: "Philippine climate submission is conditional on support. Meaning, no support no carbon reduction. Pres Duterte probably taken out of context."  This means that the action plan on climate change of the Philippines is contingent on financial and technological support from the industrialized countries. Why? Industrialized countries are the ones with a lot of carbon emissions so they should make those greenhouse gas cuts, not the developing countries like the Philippines that hardly contribute to the greenhouse gases.  Sad to say, industrialized countries contribute to greenhouse gases while developing countries, like the Philippines, end up experiencing the devastation brought about by climate change.

But, I guess, some environmental advocates have gotten the ear of President Duterte because in recent days he has indicated that he has changed his mind and will allow the country to ratify the Paris Agreement. After consulting with his official family, the President decided that he will go along and sign the ratification. As such, the Philippines will reduce its carbon emissions by 70% by the year 2030. However, it expects industrialized countries to contribute financial support for developing countries to move towards more renewable energy sources.

Last Monday, November 14, 2016, President Duterte met with former President Fidel Ramos, who has been voicing out his opinion about needing to ratify the Paris Agreement.  The two Presidents spoke among other things of Climate Change and after the meeting it was announced that the President will go with signing the ratification of the Agreement. The Philippines will now be ready to push for sustainable development and a disaster resilient economy.

In photo below: President Rodrigo Duterte with Archbishop Valles, Fr. Tabora and DENR Secretary Lopez at the Environmental Summit on August 4, 2016.