Lopez to attend climate meet despite Duterte snub of Paris pact
Environment Secretary Gina Lopez —INQUIRER PHOTO
Despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s refusal to honor the historic Paris Agreement, Environment Secretary Regina “Gina” Lopez will attend the Climate Change Conference in Marrakesh, Morocco, this month, a Palace executive said on Friday.
“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 [Paris climate] agreement,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told reporters in a text message.
READ: In the know: Paris Agreement
The Philippines under the Aquino administration signed the landmark Paris Agreement on April 22.
Duterte, however, had said that his administration would not honor the climate pact, saying it was “stupid” and “absurd.”
READ: Rody won’t honor Paris climate pact
He said the landmark agreement, a legally binding accord to combat climate change, would limit the country’s industrial growth.
But on Nov. 1, the President softened his stance, saying he would heed the counsel of his advisers.
“I will follow what my advisers tell me. If Gina Lopez would tell me … it’s good. And if the legal advisers say that [I’ll sign the Paris climate agreement],” he said./rga
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