Climate Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan•

Climate change is a transnational and global challenge, and it is crucial that theinternational society work together to address this challenge.

⇒ Under this circumstances, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) contributes to the international
effort in addressing climate change through negotiation for making framework and improving
administration of the status within the international frameworks including United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement which commitment period
starts in 2020.

• The growing international interest on the countermeasures against climate change andthe scale expansion of renewable energy are interrelated.
⇒ Along with fostering international momentum through negotiation opportunities such as COPs,
the MOFA encourages energy conversion both in Japan and overseas through steadily
implementing the Paris Agreement and taking on diplomatic policy contribute to theenhancement of global as well as domestic energy transition.

• To promote countermeasures against climate change including implementation of theParis Agreement, roles of various players such as private companies, local governments,
NGOs and civil societies (non-government organization, non state stakeholder) areimportant.
⇒ Collaborating and working together with these entities/organizations, the MOFA keeps
addressing on climate change measures to realize the “2℃ target” which is stipulated in theParis Agreement, and other goals.
New major initiatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2018üAdvisory Panel of Experts on Climate Changeü

Reinforced support on designated diplomatic missions

ü

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs “RE100” declarationüLong-term strategy development as a growth strategy based on the Paris Agreement

The Advisory Panel of Experts on Climate Change
Background
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs established an Advisory Panel of Experts on Climate Change, with a view to identify a new policy direction in relation toclimate change issues, taking into account new global trends and inputs from NGOs, researchers, and companies taking active measures against climatechange.The first intellectual meeting was held on January 9th 2018, hosted by the minister. It had been held 12 times in total. At the 8th meeting onFebruary 19th(the second minister-hosted meeting), it submitted the recommendation about energy. Also at the 12th meeting on April 19th (the thirdminister-hosted meeting), it submitted suggestion about climate change.
Summary of Recommendations
Recommendations on Energy: Promote New diplomacy on energy through leading global
efforts against climate changeDeploy renewable energy diplomacy
1Contribute to the global efforts against climate change and realize economic and social development
2Contribute to the future of developing countries through sustainable energy
3Support and collaborate with various non-state actors in their activities worldwide
Define Japan’s pathway towards the energy transition
1Place energy efficiency and renewable energy as the core strategy for decarbonization
2Achieve a decarbonized society in line with the Paris Agreement
3Develop further from starting point of “reducing dependency on nuclear power as much as possible”
Take a leading role in realizing decarbonized society and create a new economic system   304 19 
1Identify and maximize Japan’s potentials and lead the world
2Promote responsible investment and finance towards decarbonization
3Contribute to the world through promoting decentralized energy model
Recommendations on Climate Change: Climate Change as the Main Mission of Japan’sDiplomacy to Transform Japan into a Decarbonized Nation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should adopt climate diplomacy as a main mission of theministry policyJapan should lead the creation of the framework for a decarbonization society
Japan should make efforts to achieve the “well below 2℃ target”
Initiatives to play to its strength1Establishment of a climate change platform
2Development of the Asia Offshore Wind Power Initiative
3Cooperation with developing countries to achieve nationally determined contributions (NDCs)4Support for developing countries specific to the location and region
5Strategic reconstruction of financial support institutions  