Japan 'left behind' by world over its lack of climate change measures ... - The Mainichi

Japan 'left behind' by world over its lack of climate change measures - The Mainichi

Japan 'left behind' by world over its lack of climate change measures

(Mainichi Japan)

TOKYO -- Climate change was one of the major topics at the Group of Seven (G7) summit held last month in Hiroshima, but the lack of support for Japan's policies made it appear that the country was seeming "left behind" despite its presidency of the event. In recent years, there have been noticeable signs that Japan has had no presence in international negotiations on climate change.

As one example, something unexpected happened to Japanese government negotiators in November 2022 at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

As the "representative of developing countries," the host country, Egypt, had set "loss and damage" caused by the effects of global warming as a major issue. A mechanism to support loss and damage has long been sought by developing countries, especially those vulnerable to the effects of global warming such as island nations, but there has been no concrete progress for about 30 years due to strong disagreement between developed and developing countries.

In his speech at COP26 in 2021, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan would provide up to $10 billion in additional assistance to developing countries over five years, and many in his administration were cautious about establishing a fund that would likely require further financial contributions. At a meeting held just prior to the opening of COP27, it was decided that the Japanese government's policy was to oppose the establishment of the fund.

However, the COP27 negotiations did not proceed as Japan had expected. That year, Pakistan experienced flooding that reportedly inundated one-third of its land area, and interest in "loss and damage" was heightened. Toward the end of the negotiations, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries expressed their support for the establishment of a new fund. The United States, which had been in line with Japan in its opposition, also moved to compromise, and Japan was eventually forced to change its policy. The COP27 agreement, which included a policy for the establishment of the fund, was adopted unanimously.

Not only at COP27, but also at G7 summits and ministerial meetings, Japan has been forced to follow the policies of other countries without prior discussion within the nation.

Japan's "isolation" was also noticeable at the G7 Ministers' Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo in April, a prelude to the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May. One of the focal points was whether to include a timeline for the phase-out of coal-fired thermal power generation. Although European countries insisted that the timeline be clearly stated, Japan's strong opposition prevented the inclusion of it.

The Japanese government is strongly promoting "co-firing," where hydrogen or ammonia is burned in thermal power plants mixed with fossil fuels, and aims to promote this method in Asia. In response, the communiques at both the ministerial meeting and the summit only stated, "We also note that some countries are exploring the use of low-carbon and renewable hydrogen and its derivatives in the power sector."

At a May 21 press conference following the closing of the G7 summit, Kishida emphasized the outcome, saying, "We shared the recognition that we are working toward a common goal of 'net zero' (greenhouse gas emissions) under various pathways according to the circumstances of each country."

The "various pathways" was included in the G7 Hiroshima Leaders' Communique at Japan's initiative. With the difficulty of restarting nuclear power plants in earnest, Japan has no choice but to continue to pursue its strategy of using fossil fuels, including coal, for the time being, and it is difficult to say that this strategy is gaining the world's approval.

Kimiko Hirata, executive director of the think tank Climate Integrate, which has been following international negotiations on climate change for many years, said, "How to reduce fossil fuels is a major concern for each country, and Japan's strategy has not gained support from other countries. Many countries may really think that 'Japan is not seriously facing the climate change issue.'"

(Japanese original by Toshiyuki Suzuki, Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)