Japan reiterates opposition to Kyoto Protocol

Japan reiterates opposition to Kyoto Protocol


Japan's environment minister has said at a UN climate conference in South Africa that it will not join an extended 1997 Kyoto Protocol, while urging an early establishment of a new framework.

Goshi Hosono made the remark on the second day of the ministerial meeting of the 17th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change on Wednesday.

In reference to the March disasters and the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, Hosono said the Japanese people are actively dealing with the global climate issue despite the disasters.

He added that the member nations should set up a new framework as soon as possible without waiting until 2020.

He says they need to be obliged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions under the new framework but that the amount of their reductions can be flexible.

The European Union says it would accept the extension of the Kyoto protocol if a new framework is launched by 2020 with the participation of China and other major emitters.

Hosono says Japan would not joint the extension of the protocol on the grounds that it covers only about a quarter of the global emissions even if it is extended after its expiration in 2012.

He commented on Japan's commitment under the current protocol to cut its emissions by 6 percent from 1990 levels for 5 years through 2012. He says meeting the obligation has become harder as a result of the suspension of many nuclear power plants but that it will do its best to clear the goal.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011 21:01 +0900 (JST

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