## Section 3 Japan’s Efforts for Realization of a Low-Carbon Society

1. International Actions and Japan’s Response for Realization of a Low-Carbon Society

(1) The 16th Session of Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP16) and Japan's Response

### A. Background of International Negotiations on Climate Change

The Kyoto Protocol was an agreement adopted at the $ 3^{rd} $ session of the Conference of the Parties (COP3) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1997 based on the UNFCCC. The Kyoto Protocol set binding numerical targets for $ CO_{2} $ emissions reduction for developed countries to embark on as part of international efforts during the first commitment period (2008-2012). It also served as an indicator that such international efforts should be made by developed countries first. However, the United States did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and developing countries are not subject to the reduction targets. As a result, the total emissions of those countries that committed to reduction represented only 27% of total global $ CO_{2} $ emissions from energy sources as of 2008. Global $ CO_{2} $ emissions are predicted to keep increasing as the economic expansion of developing countries with no reduction commitment progresses. Therefore, in order to reduce $ CO_{2} $ emissions effectively in the future, the measures against climate change should be worked on by the entire world, including the United States, which has yet to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and emerging countries such as China whose energy consumption is expected to increase.

In continuation of international negotiations for a framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions after the Kyoto Protocol’s first emissions budget period (post-2012 framework), COP13 was held in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2007, and the Bali Action Plan was adopted. At the same time, the decision was made to finalize the post-2012 framework by COP15 in 2009 with the participation of all the parties to UNFCCC. Based on the decision, at COP15 held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009, Japan put its fullest efforts into negotiations for establishing a fair and effective framework with the participation of all major economies including the United States and China. As a result, COP15 put together the Copenhagen Accord and decided “the Conference of the Parties takes note of the Copenhagen Accord.” However, the Copenhagen Accord was not officially decided during the COP due to opposition by some countries. The Copenhagen Accord stipulated that Annex I Parties (developed countries) submit their 2020 reduction targets and non-Annex I Parties (developing countries) submit their mitigation actions plan to the Secretariat by 31 January, 2010, which many of the parties followed accordingly.

B. Outcomes of COP16, and Japan’s Efforts

The Working Groups set up under the COP continued international negotiations for a framework for 2013 and beyond for the COP16, which took place in Cancun, Mexico, from the end of November to December 2010.

In the COP15, there were two working groups that met in parallel. The first was the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) that discussed the main elements that compose a comprehensive framework including the United States and developing countries (targets and actions for emissions reductions by developed and developing countries, adaptation measures, support for developing countries through finance and technology). The second was the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) that discussed the setting of the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol. Developed and developing countries confronted each other since developed countries particularly wished to proceed with discussions on the AWG-LCA while developing countries claimed that developed countries should establish the second commitment period.

Under these negotiations, Japan asserted that it was essential to urgently establish a single, truly fair and effective legally-binding international framework with the participation of all major economies including the United States and China in order to reduce global emissions, based on the Copenhagen Accord, and contributed actively to discussions regarding targets and actions for emissions reductions and measures to support developing countries.

Japan also asserted regarding the Kyoto Protocol as follows:

– The Kyoto Protocol was a groundbreaking international convention that imposes an obligation to reduce greenhouse gases during the period between 2008 and 2012 on developed countries.

The energy-derived $ CO_{2} $ emissions of the Parties currently obligated under the Protocol represented only 27% of total global emissions as of 2008. Meanwhile, the combined total emissions of the United States, which had not ratified the Protocol, and of China, which had ratified the protocol but did not have any obligations to reduce emissions, had increased from approximately 34% in 1990 to approximately 41% of the world total as of 2008.

– Under these circumstances, the current framework which imposes a reduction commitment under the Kyoto Protocol on a few countries only, including Japan, in 2013 and beyond will not lead to a true global reduction of emissions.

In October 2010, Japan hosted a “Ministerial Meeting of the REDD+Partnership (REDD+Ministerial Meeting)” in Nagoya, Aichi, and contributed to the promotion of efforts