Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (third from right) chats with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr after Marcos’s speech in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra on Feb 29, 2024. - Reuters
MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said developed nations “must do more” to alleviate climate change inequalities.
Addressing the Australian Parliament on Thursday, Marcos said that while the Philippines has the potential to become a net carbon sink – where carbon dioxide absorption is more than its emission, it is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world.
“This glaring disproportion between our share of responsibility and our vulnerability reflects an injustice that must be corrected. Developed countries must do more. And they must do it now,” he said.
According to the Australian Climate Change Authority’s website, the country had 467 million tonnes (roughly 423.6 million metric tons) of greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.
This is not the first time that Marcos has told a developed country with high greenhouse gas emissions to help address climate change.
In December 2023, Marcos urged Japan, one of the world’s leading greenhouse gas emitters, to bolster efforts for carbon neutrality.
Marcos eyeing Cha-cha plebiscite held alongside 2025 electionsMarcos eyeing Cha-cha plebiscite held alongside 2025 elections
Also last year, the President urged leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to tell developed nations to fulfill their climate change obligations.
Marcos has vied for the Philippines to host the Loss and Damage Fund, which is an international fund to assist poorer countries disproportionately affected by climate change. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
