Asean agrees to RP call for 'deep, early' carbon emission cuts

MANILA, Philippines – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has “agreed in principle” to adopt the recommendation of the Philippine government for “deep, early emissions cuts” at a special sideline meeting during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn, Germany, Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Secretary Heherson Alvarez said.

Alvarez said ASEAN member-countries that attended the UNFCCC agreed to unite toward a common stand to address climate change, especially since Southeast Asian nations are considered vulnerable to what has been called as “creeping” climate change that is believed affecting communities and food systems in the region.

Alvarez said the parties eventually agreed to possibly draft an ASEAN declaration, which would include the proposals of the Philippines on emission cuts, as well as the proposals of the other nations.

Cambodia and Indonesia, for instance, suggested the reduction of emission from deforestation and degradation while Singapore stressed the need to build on previous ASEAN declarations.

“Lead negotiators of the ASEAN nations attending the UNFCCC in (Bonn) on June 1-12 met at a special sideline meeting to find their differentiated but common and shared concerns,” said Alvarez, head of the Philippine delegation to the UNFCCC.

“We have come together recognizing our collective and individual interests on global climate change,” he said. 

“The member-countries of the ASEAN have agreed in principle to come together and have a common stand to address climate change that will include calling for bolder and significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries,” he added.

At the meeting, the Philippine delegation emphasized that developing countries in ASEAN are most susceptible to the immediate impacts of creeping climate change.

The Philippines submitted interventions that call for deep and early cut of carbon dioxide emissions by Annex I parties of more than 30-40 percent from 2013 to 2017, and more than 50 percent from 2018 to 2022 based on 1990 levels.

Alvarez said the deep and early cuts would moderate, if not avert, the accelerating destructive storms brought about by climate change.

“In ASEAN, creeping climate change is a common occurrence and its impact is rising destruction on whole communities and food systems. We must respond to protect the region and its extremely vulnerable population,” he said.

“The other issues include financing for both mitigation and adaptation for developing countries and how these funds will be managed,” he added.

Alvarez invited parties in the ASEAN to form “synergies” at the ongoing climate change negotiations on fundamental issues that will moderate, if not avert, the impact of climate change and to urge developing countries like China and India to limit the growth of their greenhouse gas emissions.