VLOG: Aquino says PH needs climate funds

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III highlights what his administration has done on the matter but notes the country needs help in terms funds and technology to address extreme weather events.

Ayee Macaraig files this video blog.

The Philippines bears the burden of climate change.
This is the message of President Benigno Aquino III as he addresses the UN Climate Summit here in New York…
The largest gathering of world leaders on the issue.
Aquino calls on the international community to give the Philippines access to funds and technology to help it pursue clean growth and adapt to climate change.

The President does not announce any new commitments.
But highlights his administration’s efforts in disaster response and resilience.

BENIGNO AQUINO III, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: As early as 2008, we have passed a Renewable Energy Act and we are now treading a climate smart development pathway. We continue to take steps to maintain and even improve our low emission development strategy and the trajectory of our energy mix.
We are hopeful that our fellow developing nations especially those gaining the economic wherewithal to pursue similar strategies will tread a path akin to ours.

But environmental groups criticize the President for a supposedly misleading speech.
They say instead of pursuing renewable energy, the government approved 40 coal plants in the pipeline.

US President Barack Obama also addresses the summit, acknowledging the responsibility of the world’s largest economy and second biggest greenhouse gas emitter.
But Obama says both developed and developing nations must act to ensure to a climate agreement in 2015 is ambitious, inclusive and flexible.

BARACK OBAMA, US PRESIDENT: But let me be honest. None of this is without controversy. In each of our countries, there are interests that will be resistant to action. And in each country, there is a suspicion that if we act and other countries don’t that we will be at an economic disadvantage. But we have to lead. That is what the United Nations and this General Assembly is about.

After this summit, it’s crucial to watch whether or not the commitments will be reflected in negotiations in Lima in 2014, and in the Paris agreement.
For vulnerable countries like the Philippines, climate change is not just the subject of negotiations and talks like this one, but a matter of survival.

Ayee Macaraig, Rappler, United Nations.

– Rappler.com