use of biodiversity.

## Linkage to climate change

28. It is emphasized that climate change is expected to have serious impacts on biodiversity, even threatening the very basis of human survival. The need to pay sufficient attention to the linkage between climate change and biodiversity was pointed out.

## Biodiversity and protected areas

29. The importance of protected areas is reconfirmed and emphasis is given to the significance of developing ecological networks of protected areas that carry significance in maintaining global biodiversity.

## Call for action

30. The urgent need to engage in further efforts to tackle the aforementioned challenges on biodiversity is reaffirmed and G8 members agree on the “Kobe Call for Action for Biodiversity” proposed by the Chair. Japan, the Chair country, announced its “Commitments for the Implementation of the ‘Kobe Call for Action for Biodiversity’” for the implementation of the “Call for Action,” including the SATOYAMA Initiative.

## The 3Rs

## Progress of the 3R Initiative

31. The contributions of the 3R Initiative in advancing 3Rs activities in each G8 member country and other countries since its proposal at the G8 Sea Island Summit in 2004 were recognized. It was also recognized that the 3R Initiative has provided a platform for sharing information and exchanging views and experiences on 3Rs-related policies among the G8 and other countries. It was noted that the 3R Initiative has demonstrated the G8 countries' determination to contribute to the establishment of a sustainable society.

## Prioritized implementation of 3Rs policies and increases in resource productivity

32. It was observed that the promotion of the 3Rs and increases in resource productivity are important for achieving sustainable development in both the G8 and other countries. Towards that end it was also observed that comprehensive policies comprising both regulatory and market-based tools, and addressing the full life-cycles of products are needed. Furthermore, the need for policies to further stimulate technological development and innovation and to create markets for resource-efficient products was acknowledged. However, it was also recognized that governments alone cannot produce the necessary changes and that the contribution of all actors and sectors of society is crucial.

33. In addition to environmentally sound waste treatment and recycling, high priority was placed on waste reduction. Several efforts to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags and other single-use consumer products were described. Japan observed that China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea will jointly call for other countries to follow suit. It was noted that substantial reductions of waste generation and resource utilization require fundamental changes in awareness and lifestyle.

34. It was noted that both G8 and non-G8 countries recognize that strong linkages and the co-benefits exist between the promotion of environmentally sound waste management and the 3Rs, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the views from non-G8 countries emphasizing the importance of developing and disseminating technologies for the promotion of the 3Rs in accordance with national circumstances were also noted.

35. The progress and achievements of the work by the OECD on material flow analysis and resource productivity and the contributions on sustainable resource management by UNEP were welcomed.

## Establishment of an international sound material-cycle society

36. The occurrence of severe health and environmental problems related with improper recycling of end-of-life products, such as e-waste, as well as with improper ship dismantling, in developing countries were considered. However, the potential resource value of such materials was also recognised. The hope was expressed that further collaboration between the 3R Initiative and the Basel Convention $ ^{1} $ will both promote capacity building for environmentally sound waste management in developing countries and facilitate sound international resource circulation.