PH ‘deeply troubled’ by Trump decision to pull out from Paris Agreement

Protesters gather outside the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 1, 2017, to protest President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the Unites States from the Paris climate change accord. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The Philippine government on Friday expressed disappointment in US President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.

READ: Trump announces US withdrawal from Paris climate deal

“The Philippines is deeply troubled by the decision of the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and appeals that they reconsider their position,” the Climate Change Commission (CCC) said in a statement.

“The US, as the 2nd largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and more importantly, one of the world leaders, would have played a key role in creating the much needed global paradigm shift towards a more climate-resilient and climate-smart future,” it said.

The CCC pointed out that the Philippines, which is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, is affirming its commitment to the Paris pact.

“We recognize the need for all countries to work together to address the increases in global temperature, which have resulted and will continue to result in more intense and frequent typhoons and droughts for the Philippines, threatening the security of our people, the food and water needed to sustain them, and their livelihoods,” it said.

It called on other countries that have signed the Paris Agreement to be “even more vigilant in ensuring that the Paris Agreement achieves its goal, as the future of our children and this world depends on it.”

In a speech, Trump said the US will stop implementing the “bad” deal and would instead try to renegotiate it. He said he cannot support a deal that “punishes” the United States. He believes that the agreement also went easy on India, China and Europe and did not “put America first.”

Local policy group Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) also criticized Trump’s decision, which it said “promoted fossil fuel interests over those of the people and the planet.”

“The Philippine government must join the overwhelming majority of the international community not only in defending its people from the threats of climate change, but also in grabbing the opportunities brought about by low-carbon development,” said ICSC policy coordinator Denise Fontanilla.