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Statement by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at the United Nations Summit on Climate Change - “Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020”
22nd September 2009 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Summary Climate change affects the entire globe and requires long-term and international efforts. Thus, it is imperative for all countries to address the issue under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities". With the change of government, as Prime Minister of Japan, I will now seek to unite our efforts to address current and future global climate change, with due consideration of the warnings of science.Based on the discussion in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), I believe that the developed countries need to take the lead in emissions reduction efforts. It is my view that Japan should positively commit itself to setting a long-term reduction target. For its mid-term goal, Japan will aim to reduce its emissions by 25% by 2020, if compared to the 1990 level, consistent with what the science calls for in order to halt global warming. Climate change requires a global response. In the process of furthering sustainable development and poverty reduction, developing countries must aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities". This is especially important for major developing countries with large emissions. Solving the problem of climate change will entail a vast amount of financial resources, in particular to support adaptation efforts by vulnerable developing countries and small island countries. Such financing should be strategically expanded. Japan is prepared to provide more financial and technical assistance than in the past, in accordance with the progress of the international negotiations. Japan has relatively strong potential for technological development as well as considerable financial capacity. Thus I recognize that Japan is expected to take the lead in the international community in setting its own reduction target, and to achieve such target through the development of innovative technologies. I have full confidence in the abilities of the Japanese people and our companies. The Japanese people, companies, and we - the political leaders at this time also have a responsibility to future generations to create a sustainable society by transforming the social structure that we have known since the Industrial Revolution.
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