Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Speech on the Environment by Prime Minister Taro Aso

Prime Minister Taro Aso delivered a speech at the Prime Minister's Office on the environment and announced that as its mid-term target Japan would aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15 percent from the 2005 level by 2020.

The mid-term target announced involves a greater reduction of emissions than the 14 percent reduction option which the government had been mainly considering among six options, ranging from a four percent reduction to a 30 percent reduction from the 2005 level. The greater reduction is achieved by boldly taking in contributions in the area of solar power generation and elsewhere. It also goes beyond the targets of Europe, which stand at a 13 percent reduction from the 2005 level, and that of the Obama administration of the US, which is a 14 percent reduction from the same year, showing Japan's intention to lead the world in the low-carbon revolution.

In the beginning of his speech, Prime Minister Aso mentioned an issue facing the Republic of Kiribati in the South Pacific, rising sea levels, and said, "Preventing climate change is the responsibility of the current generation . . . I should like to share with the public Japan's responsibility and resolve concerning this subject." The Prime Minister furthermore explained that before taking his decision on the mid-term target he had experts conduct a comprehensive and scientific analysis, over ten thousand views were received through the public comments process, public opinion surveys were conducted, and meetings for exchanges of views were held all around the country. The Prime Minister thanked the many people thus involved for their cooperation.

The Prime Minister gave explanations on each of the three basic principles concerning the mid-term target: participation of all major emitters and Japanese leadership; making the environment and the economy compatible; and achieving Japan's long-term goal.

The Prime Minister, while acknowledging that the mid-term target of a 15 percent reduction from the 2005 level is "an extremely ambitious target" surpassing the numerical target supported by views expressed through the public comment procedure and also by the business community and labor organizations, expressed his determination, saying, ". . . in order to lead the world in the low-carbon revolution, should we not have the resolve to step ahead and to make twice the effort? This is what I believe."

In conclusion, Prime Minister Aso asked for the people's understanding and cooperation. He said, "Ordinary citizens, industry, labor, the national government, and local authorities -- we all have to take actions in full cooperation to bring about a low-carbon revolution, including the transformation of our lifestyles and our industrial structures. Those of us alive today have a responsibility to preserve our beautiful Earth for future generations and pass it on to them. Shall we not become 'the generation that saved the future' so that children in generations to come can look back on history and say, 'That was the era when they achieved the low-carbon revolution and protected the Earth for us?'"

Related Link

• Speech on the Environment by Prime Minister Taro ASO (June 10, 2009)