President Duterte is waiting for new inputs of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez to get a “better informed view” on the controversial Paris agreement aimed at mitigating catastrophic climate change.
The President has dispatched Lopez to attend the next round of global climate summit in Morocco next week that will review the pledges made in Paris, France last year.
“Secretary Gina Lopez will attend the Climate Change Meet in Marrakech and will report back to the President in order for him to have a better informed view regarding the Agreement,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.
The Paris climate change deal and the country’s climate policy were among the topics tackled in the Cabinet meeting convened by Duterte in Malacañang last Thursday.
The President earlier expressed misgivings on endorsing the Paris climate change deal, which calls on countries to limit carbon emissions, due to concerns it might hinder the country’s economic development.
Duterte, however, recently expressed willingness to approve the climate accord for Senate ratification if Lopez and legal advisers attest that it would be good for the country. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)