Legarda: Senate Concurs in Ratification of Doha Amendment to Kyoto Protocol

The Senate on Monday (1 February 2016) has concurred in the ratification of the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, the international emissions reduction treaty.

Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, said that supporting the Amendment “reinforces our commitment to the global effort to address climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).”

Legarda, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that the Kyoto Protocol is the only legally binding agreement for emission reductions for developed countries, under the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC).

Under the Kyoto Protocol, 39 developed countries committed to reduce their emissions of six (6) identified greenhouse gases by an average of 5% below 1990 levels during an initial commitment period starting on 1 January 2008 and concluding on 31 December 2012.

Meanwhile, the Doha Amendment established the second commitment period in which 38 developed countries committed to reduce their emissions of seven (7) identified greenhouse gases by an average of 18% below 1990 levels for the commitment period from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2020.

As of 21 December 2015, 59 countries have ratified the Doha Amendment. For the treaty to enter into force, 144 countries must ratify the Amendment.

“Acceptance of the Amendment ensures that the Philippines can continue to benefit from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the Adaptation Fund during the 2013-2020 commitment period, and consequently create new employment as it pursues sustainable development and implements adaptation projects,” said Legarda.

“For a vulnerable nation that did not cause this phenomenon, the Philippines is in the best position to demand from developed nations, which have the historical responsibility for climate change, deep cuts in GHG emissions and to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries that are greatly affected by climate change,” she added.

Legarda is the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s (UNISDR) Global Champion for Resilience.