Talks with the Environment Committee of the Japanese Parliament
In Tokyo today, in the framework of the Germany in Japan Year, Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin discussed current issues of climate and energy policy with members of the Environment Committee of the Japanese Parliament. "Japan and Germany are perfect examples to demonstrate that climate protection is not only affordable, it is in fact economically and socially beneficial," said Trittin.
Many years of pioneering in climate protection link Japan and Germany. "Kyoto has become synonymous with international climate protection. Japan can rightly be proud of this fact," Trittin commended, in reference to the Kyoto Protocol which prescribes for the first time binding upper limits on greenhouse gas emissions for industrialised countries. The Protocol was negotiated in 1997 in Japan's historic imperial city of Kyoto, and has been in force since 16 February 2005.
The successes already achieved through the ecological tax reform - decline in traffic related CO2 emissions, more 3 to 5 litre cars among newly licensed vehicles, growing numbers of passengers in local public transport and increased goods traffic by rail - as well as the targeted relief for trade and industry of around €5.6 billion per year regarding non-wage labour costs, were especially interesting for the Japanese Members of Parliament, who for some time have been looking into the prospects of the ecotax. The European emissions trading system, which was successfully launched in a relatively short time and which covers 58% of carbon dioxide emissions in Germany, reinforced the impression of Germany as a pioneer in environmental protection, a view which incidentally is also reflected in Germany's image among the Japanese public.
Following the talks with Members of Parliament, Trittin went on to Keio University. At the renowned University, the Minister spoke to students and scientists on the German Government's climate protection policy and the transformation of energy systems in Germany. Trittin urged the industrialised countries to meet their Kyoto Protocol commitments. At the same time he pressed for consistent further development of international climate protection: "An increase of more than 2 degrees leads to a dramatic increase in the risk of triggering irreversible catastrophic developments," said Trittin. With such an increase, the collapse of the North Atlantic current, the destruction of the entire Amazon rainforest or the melting of the Greenland ice mass could no longer be ruled out. Politicians cannot justify this risk. Industrialised countries must therefore accept far more drastic reduction targets, and the richer developing countries must also give their development a climate-friendly structure.
Before journalists in the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ), Environment Minister Trittin explained Germany's methods for implementing a transformation in energy systems: increasing the share of renewable energies in the electricity supply to 12.5% by 2010, and to 20% by 2020; by 2050, renewables will have a 50% share of total energy consumption. By 2020 energy and resources productivity will have doubled (compared to 1990) and by 2025, the phase-out of nuclear energy will be complete. "In particular, we must move away from oil. This is a basic prerequisite for global justice. Regenerative raw materials and resources are our opportunity to live with dignity on this planet with 8 billion people."
Trittin's assessment of his Japan visit was positive, noting that he had received a favourable response to and recognition for the German government's environmental and energy policies. Japan recognises that Germany is on the right road towards solving global energy problems and promoting climate protection. " Not only in Japan, but also elsewhere, the measures we have already introduced in Germany are being increasingly perceived as models of best practices. This should be incentive enough for us to present the successes and instruments of our policies even more forcefully, especially as a corrective to others who repeat the myth that Germany's situation is lagging behind."
Further information:
- Press statement 27 April 2005: Germany and Japan aim to strengthen their cooperation in environmental protection