The Philippines criticized what it describes as “delaying tactics” by several key nations that hampered the work of the United Nations for the mandated global climate change agenda and called for action that would benefit vulnerable countries.
According to Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert Borje , key issues like financing for climate loss and damage and improved modalities to access technology and build capacities did not gain further traction despite previous pronouncements of commitments by parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).
“While key stakeholders engage in dismaying delaying tactics disguised as discussions, we are undermining global trust in multilateralism and eroding the confidence of our people and the youth in the work that we do,” Borje said during the closing plenary of the 56th Session of Subsidiary Bodies (SB56) of the UNFCC in Bonn, Germany.
He expressed concern over the effect of the inaction on global trust in the work on climate change and called for more “concrete results.” He also cited the need to “unlock” climate finance for the developing world.
Borje said the Philippines remains committed to engage all parties and called on nations to anchor their work and actions on climate justice in the lead up to the 27th session of COP to be held November in Egypt.
President Duterte had said last April that industrialized countries should pay for the damage caused by their carbon emissions as poorer nations like the Philippines are suffering from the impact of climate change.
The climate crisis is deepening but it would seem that governments of the world, both big and small, are still busy passing the buck back and forth. As the UN calls for action from all nations, the poorer ones remain in the sidelines, waiting for the bigger economies to keep their commitments and do their fair share. Everyone is basically accusing each other of delaying tactics while the world burns.
When will the world’s governments get their act together and work in unison to prevent one of the greatest threats that mankind is facing?*
