Speeches by the Environment Minister
Video Message by NISHIMURA Akihiro, Minister of the Environment, Japan, at the Ministerial Roundtable on Biodiversity hosted by China, side event of UNGA (September 26, 2022)
My name is NISHIMURA Akihiro, Minister of the Environment of Japan.
First of all, I would like to thank Minister HUANG Runqiu and his team for their great effort in organizing this timely event leading up to COP15 in December.
Biodiversity loss is a serious global issue, on the same level as climate change. We must tackle it right now to halt and reverse the biodiversity loss.
A new global framework, the “post-2020 global biodiversity framework,” is a landmark for our actions. Therefore, it is a top priority to adopt a new framework at COP15.
Japan believes that there are three elements that should be included in the post-2020 GBF.
The first is a 30by30 target to protect or conserve at least 30% of the land and oceans by 2030. Japan, together with relevant ministries and agencies, has established the “30by30 Roadmap” and is already working to achieve this target in Japan.
The second is the promotion of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). NbS are cost-effective initiatives to address various social issues such as climate change and disaster risk reduction based on nature.
The third is to enhance the relationship between biodiversity and business. The role of the private sector is key to achieving transformative change. In order to encourage ESG investments and nature-positive activities by the private sector, the post-2020 GBF needs to have elements to encourage the private sector to take actions such as setting quantitative targets that aim to reduce negative impacts on biodiversity through the supply chain, as well as disclosing information on corporate efforts in reducing negative impacts and conserving biodiversity.
In addition, there is an ongoing discussion for resource mobilization to encourage implementation in each country.
In 2010, as the COP10 Presidency, Japan established the Japan Biodiversity Fund with a total of five billion yen. Furthermore, in 2021, Japan pledged to continue its global support with around 17 million US dollars, with additional contributions included. We intend to support the development and revision of national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs). In addition, to support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, including in the biodiversity field, Japan has pledged 638 million US dollars for the eighth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility, which is the second largest pledge in the world.
Through these efforts, we will strongly support the implementation of the Post-2020 GBF in developing countries. We hope that each country will also express its support for developing countries.
With our experience of leading the adoption of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets as COP10 Presidency, Japan is committed to contributing to the adoption of the new framework at COP15.
Thank you.
First of all, I would like to thank Minister HUANG Runqiu and his team for their great effort in organizing this timely event leading up to COP15 in December.
Biodiversity loss is a serious global issue, on the same level as climate change. We must tackle it right now to halt and reverse the biodiversity loss.
A new global framework, the “post-2020 global biodiversity framework,” is a landmark for our actions. Therefore, it is a top priority to adopt a new framework at COP15.
Japan believes that there are three elements that should be included in the post-2020 GBF.
The first is a 30by30 target to protect or conserve at least 30% of the land and oceans by 2030. Japan, together with relevant ministries and agencies, has established the “30by30 Roadmap” and is already working to achieve this target in Japan.
The second is the promotion of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). NbS are cost-effective initiatives to address various social issues such as climate change and disaster risk reduction based on nature.
The third is to enhance the relationship between biodiversity and business. The role of the private sector is key to achieving transformative change. In order to encourage ESG investments and nature-positive activities by the private sector, the post-2020 GBF needs to have elements to encourage the private sector to take actions such as setting quantitative targets that aim to reduce negative impacts on biodiversity through the supply chain, as well as disclosing information on corporate efforts in reducing negative impacts and conserving biodiversity.
In addition, there is an ongoing discussion for resource mobilization to encourage implementation in each country.
In 2010, as the COP10 Presidency, Japan established the Japan Biodiversity Fund with a total of five billion yen. Furthermore, in 2021, Japan pledged to continue its global support with around 17 million US dollars, with additional contributions included. We intend to support the development and revision of national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs). In addition, to support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, including in the biodiversity field, Japan has pledged 638 million US dollars for the eighth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility, which is the second largest pledge in the world.
Through these efforts, we will strongly support the implementation of the Post-2020 GBF in developing countries. We hope that each country will also express its support for developing countries.
With our experience of leading the adoption of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets as COP10 Presidency, Japan is committed to contributing to the adoption of the new framework at COP15.
Thank you.