Machnig: Japan's climate protection target cannot be final

Matthias Machnig, State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry, welcomed that Japan has set itself a medium-term climate protection target, yet criticised the target as not sufficient. Japanese Prime Minister Aso announced today that Japan wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 8 percent by 2020 compared to 1990. At the conclusion of his two-day visit in Japan's capital, Mr Machnig explained that although, owing to a rise in emissions since 1990, this was indeed a reduction of 15% compared to 2005. However, compared to European and German targets, Japan still lagged behind in tapping its full potential and meeting its international responsibility. This was disappointing and, in light of the upcoming climate negotiations, problematic. "This cannot be Japan's final target if we want to meet the responsibilities of major industrialised countries regarding climate protection, win over the main newly industrialising countries such as China and India and make the climate protection negotiations in Copenhagen a success," said Mr Machnig. He welcomed that the Japanese Prime Minister did not rule out the possibility of potential amendments in his speech.

Mr Machnig stressed that a cascade of responsibilities for industrialised and developing countries was needed which specified the responsibilities of industrialised countries, of developing countries and joint responsibilities. This included the following elements:

1. An overall target for all industrialised and developing countries to halve greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050.
2. A binding reduction target for all industrialised countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 25 to 40 percent by 2020, as recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
3. National action plans of the developing countries including effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
4. Financial support for developing countries both for emission reductions and adaptation to climate change.
5. Decision-making procedures on the use of funds involving both industrialised and developing countries.

"There are many similarities between Japan, the second largest industrialised nation, and Germany. For example, we are both dependent on energy and resources. However, both countries are strong in developing energy-efficient technologies and conquering new markets. We have to convince Japan not to consider climate protection a burden but an opportunity," said Mr Machnig. Even the Federation of German Industries recently encouraged the German government to adhere to its ambitious climate policy.

Mr Machnig named the protection of biodiversity as another important topic for his meetings with high-ranking representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment. Japan will host next year's Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and will take over the Presidency of the Convention from Germany.

"We agree on the importance of global protection of biodiversity. In particular, we must succeed in establishing a worldwide network of protected areas and provide more funding. It must also be our goal to preserve important carbon sinks for climate protection," added Mr Machnig. He also highlighted other important challenges including an internationally binding agreement on sharing the benefits from the use of biodiversity, recognising the economic value of natural heritage worldwide and establishing a global committee for the protection of biological diversity.