‘Phl delegation to climate meet to be mere observers’

The Philippine delegation to the climate change conference in Marrakech, Morocco will be reduced to “mere observers” as the country has yet to ratify the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Environment Undersecretary for International Affairs and Foreign-Assisted Projects Jonas Leones said “delayed ratification is possible but unless we ratify, the country is not eligible to ask for financial assistance for certain projects.”

“We cannot negotiate for help for possible technology transfer or capacity building that will lead to realizing our development goals,” Leones said.

The Paris Agreement to combat climate change, which took effect on Nov. 4, was a landmark deal tackling global warming amid growing fears that the world was becoming hotter even faster than scientists expected.

So far, 96 countries, accounting for just over two-thirds of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, have formally joined the accord, which seeks to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius, reports said. More countries are expected to come aboard in the coming weeks and months.

Leones said the Morocco conference was important because matters like financial mechanisms that countries could avail of would be discussed.

“It will be a detailed discussion. We cannot avail of the benefits unless we ratify the agreement,” he said.

The climate change conference, to be held from Nov. 7 to 18, is expected to delve into how to implement the goals set by the Paris Agreement.

President Duterte had expressed openness to ratifying the deal, which must then be transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence, after initially saying it could hamper the country’s economic growth.

Duterte said he would wait for the recommendation of his advisers, including Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, who heads the country’s delegation to Morocco.

Meanwhile, environmentalists remain optimistic that the conference will serve as an opportunity to accelerate global climate action.