Japan seeks unified stance on climate change

MANILA, Philippines - The Japanese government is proposing a unified approach among developed and developing countries to further promote initiatives related to global climate change.

In a speech at the United Nations Summit on Climate Change which the Japanese Embassy furnished The STAR, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said greater cooperation will be achieved if efforts among countries in the world will be synchronized.

“I would like to propose to the international community a “Hatoyama Initiative”, based on what I have just outlined. The Kyoto Protocol was a historic milestone, as the first international framework that obligated nations to reduce greenhouse gases. Effective efforts, however, cannot be realized unless a new framework is created. To that end, towards establishing a fair and effective new single undertaking, I will exert every effort for the success of Copenhagen, in the course of formulating this initiative,” he said.

 Hatoyama said each country, be developed or developing (like the Philippines ), plays an important role in addressing global climate change concerns.

“Climate change affects the entire globe and requires long-term and international efforts. Thus, it is imperative for all countries to address the issue under the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities.’ With the change of government, as Prime Minister of Japan, I will now seek to unite our efforts to address current and future global climate change, with due consideration of the warnings of science,” he said.

Japan’s top leader pointed out the need for developing countries to focus on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

“Climate change requires a global response. In the process of furthering sustainable development and poverty reduction, developing countries must aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”. This is especially important for developing countries with large emissions,” he said.

He cited that based on the discussion in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), “the developed countries need to take the lead in emissions reduction efforts.

“It is my view that Japan should positively commit itself to setting a long-term reduction target. For its mid-term goal, Japan will aim to reduce its emissions by 25 percent by 2020, if compared to the 1990 level, consistent with what the science calls for in order to halt global warming.”

He said for Japan ’s part, it would try to propose a framework that is acceptable for all the countries.

“ Japan’s efforts alone cannot halt climate change, even if it sets an ambitious reduction target. It is imperative to establish a fair and effective international framework in which all major economies participate. The commitment of Japan to the world is premised on agreement on ambitious targets by all the major economies,” he said.

The Japanese government, he said, has underscored several principles essential in assisting developing countries.

He said the developed countries, including Japan, must contribute through substantial, new and additional public and private financing.

He also sees the need to develop rules that will facilitate international recognition of developing countries’ emissions reductions, in particular those achieved through financial assistance, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner.