US, EU hit for weak commitments in climate deal

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) yesterday rejected the projected commitments of the US and European Union in the Paris climate deal for supposedly failing to honor their historical contributions to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Despite their lip service, the refusal of rich, industrialized nations to translate their statements to ambitious emissions cuts will leave the burden of reaching the target on the shoulders of vulnerable countries,” PMCJ national coordinator Gerry Arances, in Paris for the climate summit, said in a statement.

“The draft text for the Paris climate declaration clearly shows that developed countries, led by the United  States and the European Union, are absolving themselves from their historical contributions to the climate crisis.”

The US only targeted 26 to 28 percent reduction by 2025, not enough to reach its 55 to 65 percent required reduction with respect to their historical emissions, according to PMCJ.