The Japanese Government��s position towards COP 17 in Durban is as follows:
Eight months have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Although Japan is doing its utmost to carry out the necessary reconstruction, its commitment to actively tackle global warming is unswerving despite the disaster. Japan is now formulating new energy strategies and plans while considering the measures it needs to take in order to tackle global warming. This summer, we managed to reduce energy consumption in the Tokyo and Tohoku areas by more than 15 percent compared with last year.
Climate change is a vital and urgent issue for many countries in the world. With COP17 from 28 November to 9 December fast approaching, the world has to confront this issue and take concrete measures to tackle it. Japan is determined to make further efforts to this end in cooperation with other countries.
In order to take on the climate change issue with the whole international community, it is important that we recognize the 2�� target of the Cancun Agreements and that the whole world together work towards a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our ultimate goal is the expeditious adoption of a new, single and comprehensive legal document which will establish a fair and effective international framework in which all major economies participate.
Although it will be difficult to achieve this goal swiftly, Japan regards the following three points as particularly important as regards what is to be decided at Durban in relation to mitigation:
Firstly, a robust MRV system and newly established mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Framework, the Technology Mechanism and new market mechanisms need to be operationalized in a balanced manner, as these mechanisms will serve as a basis for the post-2012 climate regime and for a comprehensive framework.
Secondly, it is important for all major emitters to steadily implement their pledges without waiting for the establishment of a comprehensive framework. Launching a process to clarify and update the mitigation targets/actions of all major emitters anchored under the Cancun Agreements by using a common template would be a useful and practical step forward.
Thirdly, discussion on a rule-based mechanism in the post-2012 climate regime and in a comprehensive framework should be initiated under the AWG-LCA. In addition to the above-mentioned newly-established mechanisms and a robust MRV system, utilizing some elements of the Kyoto Protocol, with the necessary improvements, should be included.
Furthermore, it is necessary for effective efforts to address global warming to fully mobilize technology, markets and finance. Japan believes that the three points outlined below are important and will contribute to realizing them under close cooperation with other countries.
The first point concerns technology innovation for further emissions reductions from a long-term viewpoint. Developed countries should cooperate with each other towards the innovative development of low carbon technologies.
The second point comprises the transfer and improvement of low carbon technologies and the establishment of a new market mechanism to make this possible. It is important that developed and developing countries cooperate toward the establishment of a new market mechanism which can deal with the needs of each country. Japan will actively promote sharing our technologies and experiences in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy with developing countries through a new market mechanism, including the Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism.
The third point relates to seamless support to developing countries, in particular to vulnerable countries. We need to steadily implement support through the Fast-start Finance pledged up to 2012. Japan has already implemented more than 11.3 billion dollars from public and private sources out of the 15 billion dollars pledged up to 2012. Assistance by the international community should be provided seamlessly beyond 2012, including the early establishment of the ��Green Climate Fund�� which is being discussed.
In this regard, Japan is determined to tackle the climate change issue in cooperation with the UK and other countries.
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