Sunday, May 24, 2009

Council on the Global Warming Issue

Prime Minister Taro Aso held the 9th meeting of the Council on the Global Warming Issue at the Prime Minister's Office.

Continuing on from the previous meeting, the Council members discussed a mid-term target for measures to address global warming. First, results from public comments, an opinion poll, and meetings for exchange of views, which were all conducted from April to May, were introduced. Then, representatives from a spectrum of fields, including those from economic organizations and from an environmental organization, presented their views on six proposals for a mid-term reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions. The proposals aim to cap the amount of emissions by 2020 within a figure ranging from a four percent increase to a 25 percent decrease compared to 1990.

Prime Minister Aso said, "The setting of a mid-term target will place a burden on the people. There will be a burden on the people no matter what measures are taken. I will take your views into account and contemplate the mid-term target."