DOHA: The Dominican Republic has pledged to reduce its emissions by 25 percent by 2030. In a press conference, the representative of the Dominican delegation, Omar Ramirez said his country is committed by law to reduce emissions which currently are of 3,6 tonnes per capita per year, with a population of 10 million people, to 2,8 tons per year by 2030.
“For a poor developing country like ours, rather than an economic goal, this is a moral and generous contribution. It is an ambitious goal and with it we aim to encourage other countries in the region to fallow,” said Ramirez.
In January 2012, the Dominican Republic passed a law requiring the review of the emission reduction targets every five years until 2030. These are the deadlines established by the Law of the National Development Strategy of the country.
Furthermore, in the Dominican constitution, which was amended in 2010, there is a reference to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Moreover, two weeks ago the Dominican Parliament approved the carbon tax, becoming the third country to do so in Latin America.
Ramirez said his country, being an island nation, is “particularly sensitive” to climate change. He added that “we take our responsibilities in this area and have also adopted measures of solidarity with Haiti.”
The Dominican representative also said that the Republic has a portfolio of 65 projects in the field of climate change, including three about wind farm energy, and others to produce electricity from biogas.
As for the UN climate change conference, Ramirez insisted that developed countries must agree to close the Kyoto Protocol, with a commitment period until 2020.
The Peninsula
