Philippines to slash carbon emissions by 70 per cent

The Philippines is aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030 if it gets financial and technical assistance, according to a government official on Friday.

Countries have been submitting climate plans to the United Nations as part of a UN-led effort to reach a global deal to limit greenhouse gas emissions that is due to be agreed in Paris in December.

A total of 140 UN member states have now sent their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the global deal is designed to prevent an average  global temperature increase of 2°C above pre-industrial times.

Philippines’ presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma said in a statement:  "The Philippines is committed to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030, which will come from the energy, transport, waste, forestry and industry sectors.”

Coloma added: "These reductions in emissions are conditional and will be pursued if sufficient financial resources, technology development and transfer, and capacity building will be made available to the Philippines after the Paris climate talks."

The Philippines is one the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, Coloma said, citing a 2013 typhoon that killed more than 7,000 people.