Duterte to pull PH out of climate deal over lack of access to common fund

President Rodrigo Duterte. TOTO LOZANO/Presidential Photo

MANILA — President Duterte on Monday said he would not think twice in pulling the Philippines out of the landmark Paris agreement on climate change if there was no clear policy on how small countries could access the “common fund.”

Reiterating his previous position on the issue, he raised doubts if the United States and other industrialized countries would settle their obligations if they were found to have exceeded the limitation on carbon emissions.

Mr. Duterte said it was clear that while the international treaty was “binding,” it did not impose sanctions on countries which would violate its contents.

He said he decided to move for the ratification of the climate change pact after members of his Cabinet voted to support it.

“They should fix (the policy). If not, I will withdraw (from the agreement)” the President said during the inaugural launch of a 135-megawatt coal-powered plant held in Malacañang.

“Climate change is there. Maybe. I’m not sure,” he said. “But mankind should calibrate itself. As we go along the way, we improve the gadgets that emit emissions harmful to human beings.”

Mr. Duterte earlier said he would not honor the Paris treaty, saying it would only stymie the country’s economic growth and that it did not contain his signature anyway.

But he changed his mind after his Cabinet members persuaded him to move for its ratification.  SFM