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UNGASS - Japan’s
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Eco Survey 1
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IPCC Modeling Workshop
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Global Partnership Summit
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Early Action on Climate
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Vol. 2 No. 2 June 1997 Events 8
Japanese Position Paper for Survey on Eco-Friendly
UN General Assembly Special Session Lifestyles
on Environment and Development The Environment
Agency completed a
The following is the complete text of Japan’s position for the UN survey in January
General Assembly Special Session on Environment and questioning how
Development to be held in New York on June 23-27. This will be Japanese citizens are
a landmark meeting, bringing together world leaders to review incorporating
progress since UNCED. environment-friendly
activities into their
1. Now that five years have passed since the UN Conference on lifestyles. This survey
Environment and Development (UNCED) was held in Rio de follows a similar
Janeiro, the international community must take steps to ensure survey taken at the
that more rapid progress is made toward implementation of the beginning of 1996, and
agreements reached there. Japan recognizes the importance of the adds questions about
issues that will be addressed at the UN General Assembly Special respondents’
Session on Environment and Development (UNGASS) this June, participation in non-
including the review and appraisal of implementation of Agenda profit organizations
21. Further progress will require coordination and reconciliation working to protect the
of the different positions that nations have taken, which are often environment.
the product of their particular development and economic Questionnaires were
backgrounds. It will also require adoption of remedial measures sent to 4,000 Japanese
formulated from a global and long-term point of view, taking men and women
duly into consideration the achievements and the unrealized selected at random,
expectations of the last five years. Japan is of the view that aged 20 or more. 1,220
developed and developing countries must work together in a people responded.
global partnership to promote environmental protection and
A SUMMARY OF MAJOR
development if we are to achieve sustainable development which
FINDINGS FOLLOWS:
was established at UNCED as our paramount goal in this area.
2. Japan believes that successful implementation of the 1. A higher percentage
agreements to be reached at UNGASS depends primarily on in this survey than
whether all the countries of the world, represented at the highest in the last responded
level, can achieve a consensus and political commitment to that they felt
cooperation in the field of development and environment after environmental
UNGASS. conditions in general
3. At UNGASS, every country should review its principal were worsening, and
achievements in the five years since UNCED (cont’d pg.6, UNGASS) (cont’d pg.2, Eco)
1
(from pg.1, Eco)
75% said they felt the global preservation: respondents would like to
environment was worsening. * “Prevent food scraps or oil from receive more information of
2. Respondents felt the strongest going down the kitchen drain” various kinds about the
concern about environmental (79%) environment. The most
problems such as waste and * “Separate garbage properly common sources of this
recycling issues, global according to local rules” (91%) information were television and
deforestation, and destruction * “Avoid unnecessary idling, newspapers.
of the ozone layer. revving, or quick starts when 8. 41% had heard of the Basic
3.Responses were similar to those driving automobiles” (88%). Environment Plan, and 11%
in the previous survey regarding Low percentages of respondents had heard about the Third
environmental thinking in that claimed to do the Selected results of eco survey (%)
90% or more agreed that all following: Visit nature in free time 42
countries need to cooperate on * “Actively shop Purchase recycled goods, e.g. recyclcd paper 38
global environmental problems, for goods with Minimize use of water 67
that environmental education is the Earth- Exercise caution with cleaning agents 59
Avoid buying disposable products 44
needed, and that people should friendly
Recycle newspapers and magazines 79
reexamine their high- ecomark” (24%) Save energy when heating or air conditioning 67
consumption, high-waste * “Take a bag Use solar heat or electricity at home 15
lifestyles; more than 70% along to hold Avoid using car. Intead walk, bicycle, train, etc. 38
agreed that environmental purchases when
assessment should be legislated; shopping” (18%) Session of the Conference of
and more than 60% agreed that 5. 5% of respondents said they the Parties to the United
economic measures such as took part in activities of non- Nations Framework
environmental taxes and profit organizations to help the Convention on Climate Change
deposit-refund systems should environment. (COP3).
be introduced for environmental 6. 66% evaluated themselves as 8. Finally, the percentage of
protection, even if they resulted actively helping the respondents dissatisfied with
in an economic burden. environment, but only 29% the environmental
4. Large percentages of tried to encourage other people administration of Japan was
respondents claimed to do the to do so. Both percentages are down slightly from the previous
following in their daily lives to down from the previous survey. survey to 46%.
promote environmental 7. Overall, more than 70% of
New Institute for Global Environment Action - Tokyo is formulating plans for research in
Conference” in that year, the IGES some of the following areas:
Environmental Strategies
will provide a forum for
Japan will be establishing an cooperation of top-level people * Creating a new paradigm for
institute to focus on environmental from the scientific community, global civilization
studies in a new way in 1998. The government, industry, and NGOs IGES will examine ideas of modern
Institute for Global Environmental from around the world. societies which have led to the
Strategies (IGES), to be located in global environmental crisis and
Shonan Village of Kanagawa The Preparatory Organization to seek the foundations of a new
Prefecture, south of Tokyo, will Establish IGES, launched this paradigm for sustainable society.
link studies in natural and social April, will conduct various Some possible examples include:
sciences with the aim of providing preparations, including negotiating Relationships between
input to policy decision makers. a charter for the establishment of environmental change and the rise
First proposed by the “Tokyo IGES, developing research projects, and fall of civilizations; Past and
Declaration 1994” of the “Global and recruiting research staff. IGES present, Eastern and Western
2
IPCC Integrated Assessment simulations are being increasingly to contribute to the success of the
used to help answer these Third Session of the Conference of
Modeling Workshop
questions in an integrated way. To the Parties (COP3) to the UN
date over 20 such Integrated Framework Convention on
On March 10th to 12th Japan Assessment Models (IAMs) have Climate Change in December
hosted the IPCC Asia-Pacific been developed by research teams, 1997. However, for any of the
Workshop on Integrated which try to include
Assessment Models in Tokyo, in various perspectives,
cooperation with the including natural and
Intergovernmental Panel on social sciences.
Climate Change (IPCC) and the Mr. Tsuneo Suzuki,
United Nations University. Over Parliamentary Vice
300 researchers participated, Minister of the
including 140 researchers from 38 Environment Agency of
countries abroad. Japan, in his welcome
To deal with global warming, we address pointed out the
must be able to answer questions significance of this
such as: How will economic Workshop being the first
activity and energy consumption meeting of the IPCC
change in the future? Based on exclusively devoted to IAMs. Dr. Bert Bolin addresses the workshop
this, what will happen to carbon During the Workshop, participants existing models to be useful for
dioxide and other greenhouse gas shared the latest information policy makers, improvements are
emissions? What effect will this available about models and their still needed, as concluded by Dr.
have on global warming? What performance. The participants Bert Bolin, Chairman of the IPCC.
impacts will global warming have found that IAMs will be able to IAMs are already playing a
on ecosystems, agriculture, and help estimate the atmospheric significant role in policy making in
economic activity, etc.? What will concentrations of greenhouse gases developed countries, but are not
be the costs and effects of various that will avoid dangerous global being used as much in developing
measures to fight global warming? warming and its impact. Many countries. Participants agreed that
In recent years, computer agreed that IAMs should be able more consideration of the social,
(cont’d pg.7, IPCC)
thought about human coexistence issues involving the diverse moving from strategies into
with nature and the environment; interests of nations and sectors of practice, for example: Planning for
Rethinking modern science, society. This process will involve long-term sustainable development
technology, and economics to take both researchers and stakeholders, in the Asia-Pacific region.
better account of environmental and aim to contribute to
considerations and the finiteness of consensus-building. One example
resources; Equity between present of a proposal that could result is a For more information contact:
and future generations, equity treaty to prevent acid rain in East Preparatory Organization to
between regions, and international Asia. Establish the Institute for Global
environmental law; and Global Environmental Strategies
environmental ethics and * Formulating Regional/Local 2-2-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku,
education. Environmental Strategies Tokyo 100 Japan
IGES will focus on issues facing the Tel: +81-3-3595-1081 to 1083
* Introducing Innovative Policy Asia Pacific region, utilize the input Fax: +81-3-3595-1084
Measures of leading researchers to propose E-mail: iges-3@iges.or.jp
IGES will propose measures to concrete environmental strategies
implement policies which address to deal with them, and assist in
3
Global Partnership Summit on members of GEA including former U.S. Vice President Albert Gore
Japanese prime ministers and urged all countries to strive in
Environment
leaders in political, business and partnership to make the UN
academic fields. Framework Convention on
The Global Partnership Summit The purpose of the Conference Climate Change succeed.
on Environment was held in was to provide input to contribute The result of the meeting was the
Tokyo from March 22 to 24. It to the success of the UN Special Tokyo Declaration 1997, which
was hosted by Global Session of the General Assembly states that while some progress
Environmental Action (GEA), a (UNGASS) in June, which will has been made since UNCED,
non-governmental group chaired work toward realization of the “overall progress towards
by Mr. Gaishi Hiraiwa, former sustainable development plan sustainable development is still
President of Keidanren (Japan adopted at the UN Conference on very limited,” and calls for a
Federation of Economic Environment and Development “renewed urgency that all
Organizations), in cooperation (UNCED) in 1992. partners energize their individual
with the UN Department for The meeting was chaired by The and joint actions.” Some major
Policy Coordination and Honorable Ms. Birgitta Dahl, recommendations on general
Sustainable Development. The Speaker of the Parliament of issues and financial mechanisms
Conference involved 26 official Sweden and Chairperson of the included: (1) that the United
participants who are prominent High Level Advisory Board on Nations Environment Programme
figures of the international Sustainable Development to the be strengthened and consideration
environmental community. It also Secretary General of the United be given to its eventual
had the participation of the Nations. In the closing speech, transformation into a stronger
Int’l Conference on Opportunities clear messages is essential in regards the results of this
helping encourage and promote conference valuable as a
and Problems of Early Actions for
efforts from societies with diverse summation of the voices of policy
Climate Protection economies. research institutes and some
2) A range of technological industries which garner
The International Conference on
measures are available which are international trust. It will provide
Opportunities and Problems of
highly cost-effective, and it is valuable reference for the
Early Actions for Climate
advantageous to ensure flexibility government negotiators of all the
Protection was convened in Kyoto
in future policies by building long- Parties attending the Third Session
on March 30-31 hosted by the
lasting production facilities now of the Conference of the Parties to
Environment Agency of Japan, in
which have minimal impact on the UNFCCC (COP3), which will be
cooperation with the World
environment. It is also highly held in Kyoto in December 1997.
Resources Institute, the Woods
advantageous to start taking
Hole Research Center, Kyoto BELOW ARE SOME OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
actions at an early stage.
Prefecture and Kyoto City. It was
3) It is important to have legally
attended by 34 experts from both Dr. Robert Watson’s keynote
binding emission reduction targets
Japan and abroad. The major address emphasized that the
by the year 2005, in addition to
theme of the conference was earth’s atmosphere and climate
long-term goals, constituting the
evaluation of the advantages and were changing, and may cause
framework of these policies. It is
disadvantages of early actions problems for human health,
also necessary to establish and
against climate change. ecological systems, and socio-
maintain a system within each
Results of the discussions during economic sectors, because of
country which promotes these
the two-day conference include energy and land-use policies. To
policies.
recognition that: prevent these changes, he said, we
The Environment Agency of Japan
1) Establishment of policies with need to stabilize atmospheric
4
“Global Environmental Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the Facility (GEF) be supported and
Organization,” (2) that all 3rd Session of the Conference of replenished, and (6) that
countries commit themselves to the Parties (COP3) to the consideration be given to creating
concrete action toward effective UNFCCC this December in Kyoto, an Intergovernmental Panel on
(3) that Finance under the auspices of the
UNGASS Commission on Sustainable
consider a Development to further examine
ten-year financial issues. Sessions on
review of technology transfer, production
post-UNCED and consumption pattern reform,
progress in and science/technology and
2002, (4) that information/communication also
policies and produced many recommendations.
conditions
ensure that
all public and For more information contact:
private Global Environmental Action
financial 2-2-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku,
flows are Tokyo, Japan 100
Albert Gore speaks on climate change
consistent with the long-term Tel +81-3-3503-7484
implementation of the UN goals of sustainable development, Fax: +81-3-3503-8963
Framework Convention on (5) that the Global Environment E-mail: gea@mxd.meshnet.or.jp
greenhouse gas concentrations at worldwide; innovation and its transference to
450 to 550 ppmv (CO2 3) waiting to make changes in developing countries, greater
equivalent: twice pre-industrial infrastructure, practices, and efficiency, lower costs, and
levels), and this will require preferences only makes these reduced capital investments, and,
limitations by non-Annex I Parties changes much harder later on, and of course, environmental
around 2025 and 2050 clear policy messages can promote improvement;
respectively in addition to those these changes from an early stage; 7) the developing countries do not
on Annex I Parties. 4) key factors for success include bear a disproportionate cost in
Participants made several points, binding agreements with simple tackling climate change, and there
including: accounting, international is a need to achieve equitable
1) requiring faster reduction in cooperation, and constructive burden sharing through global
GHG emissions could encourage involvement of industries; cooperation;
investment decisions that would 5) many industries in the US, 8) institutional frameworks are
create markets for new business, Europe and Japan already have needed to reward companies for
thus positively affecting the voluntary programs for climate taking early actions; and
economy rather than hurting it as protection and welcome explicit 9) these early actions will provide
predicted by traditional economic government strategies; economic and environmental
models; 6) negative impacts are likely to benefits for both industrialized
2) there already exists good green include loss of export revenue, and developing countries.
technology which is underutilized especially for fossil fuel exporters,
because of low energy prices and increased trade barriers, and
other market barriers, but its possibly a global economic
diffusion now would advance slowdown, while positive effects
sustainable development may include technological
5
(from pg.1, UNGASS)
and express strong political will be no renegotiation of existing commit itself to the goals of the
determination to maintain the agreements relating to the Convention on Biological
momentum generated there and environment and sustainable Diversity, and so that an
resolve the key issues which were development including Agenda 21, appropriate international
identified. Furthermore, a brief but the Rio Declaration, and the framework on bio-safety can be
action-oriented joint political Forest Principles. adopted. Also, to promote further
declaration should be adopted that activities to implement relevant
PRIORITY FUTURE PROGRAMMES agreements such as CITES and the
addresses following issues:
AND PROJECTS AFTER 1997 Ramsar Convention.
(1) Implementation since UNCED
(2) Priority future programmes 8. At UNGASS, urgent and 14. Ozone layer depletion: To
and projects after 1997 achievable global targets relating reaffirm adherence to the
(3) The future institutional to the environment and programmes relating to protection
structure and role of CSD sustainable development should be of the ozone layer, such as the
(4) Recommendations concerning established after a thorough Vienna Convention and the
particularly urgent issues discussion. The sectoral and cross- Montreal Protocol.
4. Japan believes that it is essential sectoral issues on environment and
development to which Japan (CROSS-SECTORAL ISSUES)
to have the participation of global
and regional institutions, national attaches priority are as follows: 15. Environmental education: It is
governments, local authorities, the important to promote education,
(SECTORAL ISSUES) public awareness, and training in
United Nations, including all its
international organizations and 9. Climate change: To promote order to enhance sustainable
special agencies, the private sector, further cooperation so that at the development and develop the
non-governmental organizations, third session of the Conference of capacity of citizens to deal with
and other major groups, in order the Parties to the United Nations problems relating to environment
to realize sustainable development Framework Convention on and development. Thus it is of
and resolve global environmental Climate Change in Kyoto in great urgency to promote means
problems. Thus, UNGASS should December 1997, will reach of encouraging their participation
also discuss measures to commitments which are effective in environmental activities, while
strengthen the role each actor in preventing global warming, fair deepening every individual’s
should play and how these roles and feasible to implement. understanding and recognition of
are to be coordinated. In 10. Forests: To promote further the relationship between the
particular, we should recognize the action toward the establishment of human race and the environment.
importance of regional-level sustainable forest management 16. Research and development and
implementation and share based on the results of the meeting technology transfer: It is important
experiences of any such actions of the International Panel on to promote technology transfer
already taken. Forests (IPF). from developed to developing
11. Marine pollution: To recognize countries, and to actively develop
IMPLEMENTATION SINCE UNCED the necessity of strengthening research and development efforts
5. Significant progress has been measures to cope with significant that will contribute to
made in the field of environment maritime environmental pollution, technological innovation, in order
and development since UNCED. such as oil pollution caused by to address global environmental
For example, Japan set for itself tanker accidents. issues such as global warming.
the goal of expanding ODA in the 12. Chemicals: To promote Developed countries should play
field of the environment to a range agreement on Prior Informed the leading role in this field.
of 900 billion to one trillion yen in Consent (PIC) with respect to Analysis of the forces producing
the five-year period beginning trade in specified hazardous environmental change, including
fiscal year 1992, and accomplished chemicals, and also to encourage in particular those that are global
that goal one year early. international action to promote in scale, and estimates of their
6. Reports on the implementation human health and environmental likely impact, are needed.
of Agenda 21 at UNGASS should protection through the reduction Developed countries should make
be concise and based on previous of persistent organic pollutants. active efforts to transfer to
reports from other conferences 13. Biological diversity: To developing countries useful
including CSD. enhance the awareness of all knowledge and experience, for
7. We should reaffirm that there countries, so that each will example, in the area of pollution
(cont’d pg.7, UNGASS)
6
(from pg.6, UNGASS)
control. Moreover, it is critical to encourage developing countries to programme.
construct an international make efforts to seek private 21. The CSD should be reaffirmed
information and capital inflows. Insufficient as the central forum in which to
telecommunications network that attention has been given to institute and review long-term
will enable countries to choose the creating innovative and effective goals and strategies, and in which
technologies most appropriate to financing mechanisms thus far, to engage in broad and high-level
their needs from those already in and further efforts must therefore strategic and policy discussions on
existence. be made. the environment and sustainable
17. Changing production and 19. Capacity building: It is crucial development.
consumption patterns: In order to that every nation engage in self- 22. In the future, the UNCSD
realize sustainable development, help efforts, that is, in action to work programme should focus on
the government, local authorities, solve environmental problems, a limited number of key issues in
the private sector, and individuals with determination and all the order to raise concern and
should work together to establish resources they can bring to bear in stimulate in-depth discussion.
a sustainable socio-economic order to develop the capacity to Japan believes that the multi-year
system that will have a minimal arrive at effective environmental programme of the work of the
negative impact on the protection. Thus, from a long-term UNCSD that has been included in
environment by changing point of view, it is a matter of a draft report prepared by the
production and consumption urgency to adopt capacity-building Secretary-General
patterns and by promoting further measures. Self-help efforts are also (E/CN.17/1997/2) for review at
effective use of natural resources the foundation of an effective the fifth session of UNCSD is a
and energy, recycling schemes, partnership between countries and starting point for such discussion.
environmental education and regions. Moreover, new political However, the section entitled “The
public awareness. methods and net-works should be Economic Sector/The Major
18. Financial issues: It continues developed among specific regional Groups” should not be taken up
to be important to provide environmental research centers. because the range of the issues
financial assistance to developing these sections encompass is overly
countries in the form of ODA, as broad and because some of the
THE FUTURE INSTITUTIONAL subjects are being taken up as
the efforts of those countries to
STRUCTURE AND ROLE OF THE CSD sectoral and cross-sectoral issues.
protect their environments and
achieve sustainable development 20. The declaration issued at the “Forests,” “Chemicals,” and
very much deserve support. It is conclusion of UNGASS should “Marine Pollution” might replace
worth noting that new also address the future “Land Resources” and “Oceans
development strategies formulated institutional structure of CSD. In and Seas” as themes. Furthermore,
by OECD/DAC stress cooperation particular, it should focus on issues that have been addressed in
in the environmental field. reaffirming the framework of CSD other existing forums should be
Furthermore, it is necessary to and the UNCSD multi-year work excluded from the agenda of the
(cont’d pg.8, UNGASS)
(from pg.3, IPCC)
economic, and other factors in Asian Pacific Integrated Model between the IPCC Second
developing countries, and a (AIM) created by Japan which is Assessment Report released in
continuation of dialogue between now developing into a common 1995, and the Third, which is
modelers and policy makers about integrated assessment model in expected at the end of the year
IAMs would provide important cooperation with other Asian 2000. Modelers now believe that
input for improvements in models. countries. they will have progressed enough
They also agreed on the need for Dr. Hoesung Lee, Chairman of the so that IAMs can make a large
more efforts to develop regional International Organizing contribution to the Third
models and capacity building for Committee for the Workshop, Assessment Report of the IPCC
modelers in each country. In this pointed out that now is an and play an important role in
context, mention was made of the important transition period dealing with climate change.
7
Please send me JEQ. Please note my new address. E V E N T S
Name:
Title:
Organization: 1997
June
Address: 23-27 Special Session of
Tel: Fax: E-mail: United Nations
General Assembly
Comments on this issue or topics of special interest: (New York)
30-31 Second APN
Scientific Planning
Group Meeting
(Tokyo)
PLEASE MAIL OR FAX TO:
September
1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan Fax: +81-3504-1634
7-8 Sixth
Environmental
Congress for Asia
and the Pacific
(from pg.7, UNGASS) (ECO ASIA ‘97)
(Kobe)
Commission. 30-31 International
23. The duration of CSD sessions should be as brief as possible in order to enhance cost- Conference on
effectiveness (two weeks would be optimal). The Commission should provide a forum in Opportunities and
Problems of Early
which each country can introduce information about implementation measures it has
Actions for
taken and experience with its own programme of action for sustainable development so Climate Change
as to help other countries. (Kyoto)
24. It should be reaffirmed that the participation of the ministries (and ministers) in
charge of environment and development is essential to the effective achievement of December
1-12 Third Conference
sustainable development. of the Parties to the
25. In order to improve the institutional structure of CSD, it is important to strengthen UN Framework
links between existing international organizations and the secretariats of the conventions Convention on
Climate Change
and also to avoid duplication of their work or functions. In this context, the role of CSD
(Kyoto)
should be clearly differentiated from that of UNEP, and this should be discussed at
UNGASS. 1998
26. The role of CSD as a forum in which to discuss strategic goals concerning sustainable January
development should be distinguished from that of UNEP as an organization that deals 17-18 Junior Eco-Club
with the monitoring and evaluation of the state of the environment, and with the Asia Conference
development and preparation of international laws. (Shizuoka
Prefecture, Japan)
RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING PARTICULARLY URGENT ISSUES
27. A special meeting with high-level participants should be convened for the purpose of March
carrying out a second comprehensive review of overall progress in the implementation of Third APN Inter-
Agenda 21 in 2002, which is five years after UNGASS and ten years after UNCED. Governmental
Meeting
28. Through UNGASS, it should be stressed that information and telecommunications
(Beijing)
systems play an important role in promoting sustainabledevelopment with a minimal
environmental impact, as they contribute to creating socio-economic systems and
lifestyles that are sounder environmentally.
Japan
ENVIRONMENT
Quarterly
Published by the Global Environment Department, Environment Agency
1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan
Tel: +81-3-3580-1375
Fax: +81-3-3504-1634
E-mail: globe.dep@eanet.go.jp
Homepage: http://www.eic.or.jp
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