Statement
Remarks by YAMAGUCHI Tsuyoshi, Minister of the Environment, Japan, at the Second High-level Meeting of the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE) - UNEA 5.2 Official Side Event - (March 2, 2022)
Hello,
Distinguished participants,
It is my great honor to welcome you all to the "Second High-Level Meeting of the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency" or GACERE. This meeting is held as the UNEA 5.2 Side Event under the title of "Circularity and Nature". Let me express my deepest gratitude to UNEP and UNIDO for jointly organizing this Meeting.
We are facing three global crises: climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution. To address these issues, we must transform our socio-economic systems into more sustainable and resilient one. Circular economy not only reduces pressures on biodiversity, but also has the potential to restore ecosystems. To strengthen actions for nature to achieve the SDGs, which is the overall theme of UNEA 5.2, transition to a circular economy is a must.
Today we are launching the GACERE Working Paper "Circular Economy and Biodiversity". This Working Paper analyzes the role of the circular economy in maintaining sustainable ecosystem. I would like to thank all GACERE members for their efforts to complete this Working Paper, and hope it will serve as the beacon light for the world.
Since the last High-Level Meeting of the GACERE in September last year, we have been able to adopt the "Glasgow Climate Pact" and complete the "Paris Rulebook". At Japan's 'Circular Economy and Carbon Neutrality Side Event' at COP26, ways and means to collaborate for realizing decarbonization through a circular economy were discussed.
In order to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees, countries need to work hard for greenhouse gas emission reductions. Japan will implement its Nationally Determined Contribution aiming to reduce our GHG emissions by 46% by the year of 2030, and continue strenuous efforts to meet the lofty goal of 50%. Japan's Prime Minister Kishida in his policy speech to the Diet in January, stated that "climate change is the greatest challenge to overcome". We will achieve the NDC and carbon neutrality by 2050. We are preparing the "Circular Economy Roadmap" to be completed by summer in order to accelerate the circulation of all resources, which is indispensable to achieve carbon neutrality.
Lastly, regarding the plastics, we promulgated the "Plastic Resource Circulation Act" last year, to facilitate the circulation of plastics across the entire life cycle of plastic products, from product design to waste disposal. For example, as for straws or spoons, they will be required to be made of materials away from plastics. The law will go into effect from next month. In addition, we will actively contribute to the development of a new international legally binding instrument on plastic pollutions, including those in the marine environment.
We will share our initiatives and exchange views through the GACERE. We will further collaborate with GACERE member countries like a family, towards the global transition to a circular economy. I hope today's Meeting will stimulate momentum to strengthen our actions to conserve the nature through circular economy. Together, we can do it.
Thank you.
