On the occasion of the current ordinary session of the Diet, the Global Warming Prevention Headquarters has decided upon the following policies toward the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.
I. Schedule toward Ratification
In light of the fact that from the end of August to early September of this year the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg Summit) will be held, all necessary efforts will be made in order to ensure the approval of ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and the enactment of the relevant domestic legislation guaranteeing the implementation of the Protocol during the current ordinary session of the Diet.
Prior to this, a review will be made of the Climate Change Policy Program (Decision of the Global Warming Prevention Headquarters as of June 1998), and a new program (hereafter referred to as "New Program") will be drawn up.
II. Basic Policies on Domestic Measures
1. In order to achieve the reduction targets of Japan under the Kyoto Protocol, the following basic principles will be used for domestic measures to be taken:
A. In promoting measures for preventing global warming, we will aim to create a scheme that will contribute to both the environment and the economy, leading also to revitalization of our economy, utilizing the creative ingenuity of the business community.
B. The combined forces of the central government, local governments, businesses and the general public will be utilized to implement the necessary policies.
C. The decade from 2002 to 2012 will be divided into three terms and the state of progress of measures being taken and the status of emissions will be assessed before the start of the next term, and based on the results of that assessment necessary revision will be made in order to ensure that all additional measures are taken in each term, if necessary.
2. All necessary efforts will be made to ensure the enactment of the Bill on Amendments of the Law Concerning the Promotion of the Measures to Cope with Global Warming (Provisional Name)
A. Major items to be considered for inclusion in the Bill:
- To establish the statutory Global Warming Prevention Headquarters (Provisional Name), with the Prime Minister as the Chief and the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as Deputy-Chiefs, and all other State Ministers as members.
- To stipulate the necessary procedures to draft and review the statutory Plan to Achieve the targets of the Kyoto Protocol (Provisional Name, hereafter referred to as the "Plan"). The draft Plan will be drawn up by the abovementioned Headquarters for approval by the Cabinet.
- To make efforts to expand measures providing for an enhancement of measures to be taken by the general public.
B. Outline of the Plan:
- The Plan will be drawn up based on the New Program and will present a whole picture of measures to be taken to provide a concrete underpinning to ensure the achievement of the 6% reduction commitment of the Kyoto Protocol. In order to achieve this, concrete goals for each greenhouse gas will be specified, as well as specific measures to achieve them and implementation schedules of these measures. At the same time, the Plan will include quantitative targets for the introduction of specific measures as in Japan a whole, as well as estimated amounts of emissions reduction and related steps to promote the measures.
- Furthermore, the Plan will stipulate the use of the Kyoto Mechanisms and sinks such as forestry development, while at the same time providing for assistance to encourage technical innovation. In addition, the Plan will clearly stipulate the active use of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for restoring forests and reducing emissions in developing countries.
- The Plan will be assessed and revised before the start of the each term and an outline of methodology for quantitative assessments and revisions will be provided within the Plan.
- The Plan will be implemented through the combined efforts of the central government, local governments, businesses and the general public.
3. All necessary efforts will be made to ensure the enactments of the Bill on Amendments of the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy (Provisional Name) and the Bill Concerning the Use of New Energy by Electric Utilities (Provisional Name).
4. In order to prevent global warming, within the context of efforts to rethink the lifestyles of the people, with the cooperation of Ministers concerned, the Minister of the Environment will host the Conference on "Wa-no-kuni-Kurashi", which means lifestyles emphasizing simplicity, quality and sustainability, from the middle of February 2002.
III. International Cooperation to Prevent Global Warming
With the aim of ensuring that all countries act under a single set of rules, Japan will continue its maximum efforts in seeking constructive response from the United States and in formulating international rules with the participation of developing countries.