Japan
Announces New Emission Goal
The
new Japanese Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama has
announced a new emission goal of 25 percent cuts
from 1990 levels by 2020, at a Climate Symposium in
Tokyo.
He made this commitment, in front of Rajendra
Pachauri, the 2007 Nobel laureate and Chairman of
the IPCC, and Yvo de Boer, Executive Director of the
UNFCCC
This announcement was welcomed by the World Wildlife
Foundation, WWF.
The incoming leader further stated that he would
confirm his country’s stronger target in his speech
at the United Nations General Assembly in New York
on 22 September.
According to the global conservation organization,
one of the major industrialized countries raising
its ambitions is an important signal at this crucial
stage of the international climate negotiations.
So far, targets set by the developed world have
failed to reach the ambition levels necessary to
protect people and nature from runaway climate
change.
Kim Carstensen, the leader of the WWF Global Climate
Initiative was quoted as saying “the decision by an
important player such as Japan to do more and get
serious about low carbon future can help break the
deadlock between developed and developing countries.
The climate negotiations are at a critical point and
we need urgent progress to get a fair, ambitious and
binding deal in Copenhagen this December”.
Takamasa Higuchi, CEO of WWF Japan also welcome the
courage of Yukio Hatoyama and believes that the
strength to set Japan on track for a low carbon
future, which will benefit people and nature, both
in Japan and worldwide.
In his words, “Japan used to be the country driven
by industry groups, but now we see a new Prime
Minister with true leadership”,
Before now , Taro Aso, the outgoing Prime Minister
from the LDP, had announced a 15 % reduction target
by 2020 compared to 2005 levels in June 2009, a mere
8% cut compared to 1990 levels. At the time, WWF
sharply criticized this as a weak target.
Now, WWF expects the winning DPJ to realize its
promises from the election manifesto, including the
25% cut from 1990 levels by 2020. Today’s
announcement indicates that the incoming Prime
Minister stands by his word.
PR/ Qasim / Austeen