MANILA, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has decided to pursue "practical and localized" projects of climate action, blaming the U.S. and other industrialized nations for failing to keep their promises of climate financing made years ago, its Department of Finance said on Thursday.
"The Western countries that polluted and continue to pollute the planet the most for the last 170 years are not fulfilling their commitment... We are disappointed that the highly industrialized nations are taking their time, splitting hairs, theorizing endlessly while the planet burns," Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said.
The industrialized economies have promised 100 billion U.S. dollars annually in financing to support developing countries' mitigation efforts on climate changes, but the amount was never delivered in full.
As the official representative of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Climate Change Commission, Dominguez said that with the climate financing remaining unavailable and inaccessible, developing countries like the Philippines should now prepare to undertake mitigation measures on their own.
He underscored the urgency of addressing the worsening climate crisis, saying the Philippines cannot wait for the industrial nations to recognize the urgent situation.
"We are determined to move ahead on our own if necessary. We will take action now. We owe that to the Filipino people," Dominguez said.
He added that the Philippines is among the most vulnerable to the ill effects of climate changes.
The Philippines has taken steps to encourage public and private investments in green projects.
The Southeast Asian country has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent in 2030.
