Presenting today’s approved vision and actions towards low-carbon and a climate resilient world, officials revealed Japan’s commitment to co-operate and assist Africa and the vulnerable countries. During a press briefing at the International Convention Centre in Durban, on Tuesday, the Japanese delegation notes that the country is ready to reconcile emission reductions with both developed as well as developing countries. Japan says their projected vision envisages to lead to a concrete contribution to the discussion on the green economy, which is one of the main themes at Rio+20 next year. –> The country says in order to reduce carbon emissions and shift a low-carbon society, it is indispensable to make efforts on technological innovation from long term perspective, in addition to promoting efforts on energy-saving and the utilisation of existing low carbon technology. Japan further says it intends to offer support for developing countries, with special consideration for vulnerable nations. It says it has already provided assistance amounting to $12.5 billion as of October 31, 2011, out of $15 billion pledged for the Fast Startfinance up to 2012, which was announced at COP 15. According to Japan, the sufficient consideration for adaptation of the African Adaptation Program in co-operation with the UNDP has made a significant contribution to impoving adaptation measures in Africa.
The country says it has started great efforts to expand its renewable energy initiatives
In tackling intensification of assistance for growth and policy dialogues with vulnerable countries, the Asian country says it is also focusing on assisting vulnerable countries to achieve low-carbon growth. It says as part of this effort, it is currently formulating a strategy regarding low-carbon growth in Africa together with African countries and co-organisers such as the African Union, the World Bank and the UNDP under the TICAD framework. Japan says it will not be committing to the second phase of the Kyoto protocol, unless a single international legally-binding framework through which all parties can operationalise what has been agreed on during the Cancun agreements is in place. But it says their efforts towards addressing climate change issue as well as their membership to Kyoto continues.Japan currently has 54 nuclear operated power stations which are closely monitored and some have been closed under the Fukushima. The country says it has started great efforts to expand its renewable energy initiatives and that government authorities will soon arrive at a new energy mix development plan.
– By Tshepo Tsheole, Durban
