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2009/06/10
Statement regarding mid-term targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
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On June 10, the Chair of the DPJ Global Warming Countermeasures Headquarters, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada, issued the following statement.
Today, Prime Minister Aso announced our nation’s mid-term targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 as a global warming countermeasure. However, the proposed target of “a reduction of 15% from 2005 levels” is totally inadequate as a global warming countermeasure.
Firstly, “a reduction of 15% from 2005 levels” is no more than a reduction of 8% from 1990 levels, and is no where near meeting the call from the IPCC, based on the most up-to-date scientific knowledge, that cuts of 25% to 40% will be necessary across the board in developed nations, and there is no mistaking the fact that it will create a great deal of despair within the international community.
Next, if the Prime Minister sets such a low target while calling, as a basic principle, for “full participation by the major emitting nations,” it is inevitable that developing nations such as China and India, which are calling for developed nations to set ambitious targets, will be strongly opposed, and doubts remain as to whether it will really be possible to persuade them to participate in a new framework.
The EU has set a target of 20% in emissions from 1990 levels, which goes one step further than the reduction obligations imposed by the Kyoto Protocol. This is a totally different story from Japan, which looks unlikely at present to meet its pledge under the Kyoto Protocol of a 9% increase in emissions compared to 1990.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister, in his press conference, referred three times to the burden and costs that would be faced by the Japanese people, but I am not convinced by his decision to emphasise only the increase in the national burden and the economic drawbacks.
In the Green New Deal proposed by the Obama administration, global warming countermeasures and economic growth are described as being simultaneously achievable. By making further global warming countermeasures, Japan should also be able to expect an increase in demand and the creation of new jobs, reductions in energy costs resulting from the spread of environmentally-friendly technologies, and economic benefits stemming from the increase in the market for green products. The Prime Minister’s remarks will cause a huge misunderstanding amongst the Japanese people.
Furthermore, listening to the Prime Minister’s press conference you would never have received the impression that delaying global warming countermeasures will create a great deal of damage, beginning with damage to the ecosystem and including damage from floods and mudslides, and crop harvest losses. In order to respond to this threat, the DPJ will actively engage in global warming countermeasures to fulfil its responsibility to the future.
Based on this philosophy, the DPJ, in our Global Warming Countermeasures Basic Bill, has proposed a mid-term target of cuts in greenhouse gas emissions of 25% from 1990 levels, to be achieved by 2020. In company with this, we will aim to achieve this target by establishing a system to allow domestic carbon emissions trading, a global warming countermeasures tax, and a fixed price purchase system, and implementing measures to expand employment opportunities and investment in new ventures. Having realised a change of government, we are resolved to urge the international community to act, calling on the United States, as well as China, India and other developing nations, to participate in a new framework.
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