Environmentalists stage protest at EU office in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - Environmentalists staged a protest demanding reparation for damages caused by the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) before the office of the European Union (EU) in Makati City on Friday morning.

Some 23 members of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) who were dressed like “ati-atihan” dancers led the protest of “exorcism” at the RCBC Plaza building along Ayala Avenue where the EU office is located.

“We are here to exorcise the spirit of deception of rich countries whose offices are inside this building. For years they pledged to cut their greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and pay the climate debt they owed to poor countries, but all these are mere rhetoric and what has been fulfilled are inadequate,” said PMCJ coordinator Gerry Arances.

Arances said a bulk of GHG emissions come from rich countries like Canada, the United States of America, Australia, Germany, and about 26 percent from EU countries.

According to Arances, GHG emission leads to global warming and climate change in poor countries like the Philippines.

The PMCJ also said that eight out of 10 Filipinos suffer from the bad effects of GHG emission with the Philippines now ranked as the 2nd most vulnerable country to climate change.

Arances said rich countries have always undermined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that obligates them to cut their GHG emissions, provide funds for the adaptation and mitigation needs of developing countries, and provide for technology and capacity building.

Lidy Nacpil, head convenor of the PMCJ said the Philippines must join other developing countries that have been affected by climate change in demanding for reparations from rich countries for their “climate debt.”

“The Philippines as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change must join the peoples of the South (developing countries) in demanding reparations from rich countries for their climate debt. Under the UNFCCC treaty, the rich, industrialized countries are legally bound to cover the full cost of the effects of climate change and our shift to low carbon development pathways,” she said.

According to the PMCJ, developed countries have committed, under the UNFCCC, to facilitate the release of US$ 100 billion by 2020 for the adaptation and mitigation needs of developing countries affected by the effects of GHG emissions. However, PMCJ argues that based on a study by experts, developing countries affected by the effects of GHG emissions need at least US$400 billion per year for its mitigation and adaptation needs.
 
“We are asking then to act now and show the peoples of the South that they are indeed sincere with their promises. We say enough of the deceptions. Put your money where your mouth is. Cut your emissions! Pay your climate debt!” said Nacpil. with interns Ilaya de Guzman and Art Hipolito