Press Release

January 31, 2022
  • Global Environment

Results of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) Meeting at the Ministerial Level

On January 27, 2022, a ministerial meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), chaired by the United States, was held online, and 24 countries including the G20 countries participated in the meeting. From Japan, YAMAGUCHI Tsuyoshi, Minister of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), attended the meeting. While citing Prime Minister Kishida's policy speech, Minister Yamaguchi expressed Japan's commitment to bring about a major transformation of the country's economy and society as a whole toward achieving the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target in fiscal 2030 and net-zero by 2050. He also stated that, as part of this process, Japan will designate "decarbonization leading areas" and take actions related to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, such as expanding partner countries under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM).

1. Participating countries/regions, and organizations

Ministers and other senior officials from MEF and other G20 countries, as well as from other countries whose emissions account for a large part of the global emissions, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and a senior representative of the United Nations (24 countries/regions, and 2 organizations).

2. Form of the meeting

The meeting was held at virtual, closed-door gathering. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave an opening address, and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry chaired the meeting.

3. Summary of the discussion at the meeting

The agenda centered on the MEF's twin objectives of 1) facilitating closer high-level alignment on core political issues, and 2) providing a platform for concrete, collective actions. The meeting served in part to the set the stage for a future MEF leaders meeting.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the participants to reflect on the outcomes of COP26 in Glasgow; set out priorities for COP27 and 2022 more broadly; identify their plans for implementing/enhancing climate action; and explore possible concrete initiatives on which MEF countries might work together to accelerate climate action.

Minister Yamaguchi stated that Japan will make efforts to make nationally determined contributions (NDCs), i.e., reducing GHG emissions by 46% in FY2030 from its FY2013 levels and continuing strenuous efforts in its challenge to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emissions by 50%, and by citing Prime Minister Kishida's policy speech, he expressed the country's commitment to bring about a major transformation of its economy and society as a whole toward achieving the NDCs and net-zero by 2050.

Minister Yamaguchi further emphasized the importance of the following steps as part of the process toward achieving those targets: (1) designate "decarbonization leading areas" and take actions related to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, such as expanding partner countries under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM); (2) toward 2030, promote drastic energy efficiency, and also work hard to achieve a non-fossil power ratio of 60% by 2030 ensuring stable energy supply, including maximum introduction of renewable energy and safety-first utilization of nuclear power; (3) for achieving net-zero by 2050, promote decarbonization utilizing hydrogen, fuel ammonia and CCUS/Carbon Recycling; (4) as another priority to decarbonize the automobile sector, achieve 100% electrified vehicles in the sales of new cars by 2035; (5) He also mentioned that in these processes toward net-zero, it is important to understand that countries will achieve the net-zero goal, pursuing their own paths, in line with the respective national circumstances.

○ Chair's (U.S) Summary (English):

https://www.state.gov/ministerial-meeting-of-the-major-economies-on-energy-and-climate-chairs-summary/

For Japanese