Symposium held to enact a new law to cut greenhouse gases

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Symposium held to enact a new law to cut greenhouse gases

A symposium took place on April 12 in Tokyo to enact a new law to prevent dangerous climate change.

Lawyers, researchers, and members of environmental NGOs discussed ways to increase a campaign to call for such legislation.

The “Climate Protection Law” was proposed by the Kiko Network, a citizens’ environmental group with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by the end of 2020, and 80 percent by the end of 2050 while promoting the use of environmentally-friendly energy sources.

The Network’s director, Asaoka Mie, said, “It is necessary to stop the global rise in temperatures associated with the climate change at two degrees Celsius. We should immediately cut greenhouse gas emissions in order to reduce the burdens the future generations will have to bear.”

Asaoka also said, “Sixty-eight percent of greenhouse gases emitted in Japan, including CO2, come from 8,000 factories, power plants, and the transportation industry. Half of these emissions are from just 200 factories.”

Despite the urgent need to have a mid- and long-term reduction vision, the existing law is “effective only until 2012 and does not guarantee the achievement of the goal set by the Kyoto Protocol,” Asaoka said and again emphasized the need to have a new law.

- Akahata, April 13, 2008