The Kyoto Conference (the Third Session of Conference of Parties (COP3) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - UNFCCC) hosted by Japan, from the 1st to 11th of December 1997 was a landmark event. Thousands of politicians, government officials, and industry, media, and citizens' group representatives gathered for the biggest meeting in history to discuss climate change. It resulted in the Kyoto Protocol which includes legally binding commitments for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions an average of about 5% by the target years of 2008 to 2012. As host country of the Conference, and one of the world's largest economies, Japan has begun taking steps to follow up its commitment for a 6% reduction.

NEW TASK FORCE TO ARREST GLOBAL WARMING

Recognizing global warming as one of the most pressing issues humanity is facing today, the Government of Japan took swift action by deciding to set up the Task Force to Arrest Global Warming on 19 December. The Task Force, headed by Prime Minister Hashimoto, is comprised of ministers and state agency heads. With special assistance provided by the Environment Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, it works for smooth coordination and implementation by government agencies and ministries of the Kyoto Protocol which was agreed to by over 160 countries at the Kyoto Conference.

In his address at the first meeting of the Task Force held on 9 January, Prime Minister Hashimoto said, "Cabinet has to give wholesale effort to achieve the commitments agreed to in Kyoto last December. Japan's energy efficiency level has reached the highest in the world and its not easy to go beyond that. However, we must do whatever we can in order to guarantee the benefits of today's global environment for coming generations."

The legally-binding Protocol agreed to at the Kyoto Conference set out numerical targets and timetables for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
At a meeting of the Central Environment Council (CEC), the highest advisory body to the government on environmental matters, on 16 December 1997, Environment Minister Ohki formally submitted a request for CEC to recommend a national long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy, including exploring national legislation necessary for implementing the Protocol.

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY POST-KYOTO INITIATIVES

In order to fulfill national targets in the Kyoto Protocol, the EA is conducting an agency-wide effort and working for efficient coordination within the rest of the government. A Project Team to Arrest Global Warming was set up within the EA. Further measures to be taken by the EA announced on 12 January include national, international, and scientific initiatives, as described below.

I. National Abatement Policy
Now that the Kyoto Protocol has been adopted the government is preparing domestic legislation to implement the international accord. With its environmental expertise EA supports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in preparing for Protocol ratification by the national Diet. In order to achieve the legally binding targets through limitation and reduction of six GHG emissions, carbon sink enhancement and reduction credit purchases, EA will prepare a comprehensive legal package that is aimed at stimulating voluntary initiatives by all sectors, a balanced and effective implementation of official instruments such as regulatory measures, economic instruments and public works. Equally important are reviewing and updating the previous Action Program to Arrest Global Warming (announced in 1990), examining technological and factual aspects to secure the reduction of GHG emissions by 6% from 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.
Plans on the table to deepen public awareness of global warming and expand citizen efforts include information dissemination in cooperation with local governments, continuation of the Eco-life Pledge aiming for 1 million pledges, organizing conferences, and giving strong support to various voluntary activities, which aim for a shift of objectives from "awareness raising" to "citizens' participation and action".

II. International Mechanisms
The Kyoto Protocol incorporates a 'net approach' which allows for 'carbon sinks' such as afforestation in the calculations of net greenhouse gas emissions. However, advances in scientific understanding about carbon sinks and other issues are needed urgently to guide negotiations. Part of the EA research budget will be used for this purpose. Active contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are expected through Japan's research on IPCC criteria and guidelines to calculate sinks not only in forests but also in agricultural land. Other topics that will be examined include emissions trading, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI) and Activities Implemented Jointly (AIJ), for input into future negotiations.
One of the most important issues left in the post-Kyoto process relates to developing countries' efforts to tackle global warming. Japan's answer to the need for technical transfers to developing countries was reflected in the Green Initiative advocated by Prime Minister Hashimoto at the UN Special Session for Environment and Development last June. In order to materialize the Green Initiative, the existing support measures will be strengthened with emphasis on capacity building. In addition, the EA plans to set up a Global Warming Information Center (provisional name), and to create a new international committee to start building the infrastructure for a healthy global environment in the future, entitled Committee for Future Image of Earth Environment (provisional name).
The Kyoto Initiative announced by Japan at the Kyoto Conference consists of human resources development (plans to train 3000 persons in areas related to combatting global warming in five years from 1998), provision of Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans with the most concessional conditions (0.75% annual interest rate and a 40 year repayment period), and technology transfer of Japan's technology and expertise to developing countries.
Japan also plans to play a leadership role in international negotiations, with plans to host an ECO ASIA Congress, a ministerial meeting including developing countries, to discuss agenda items towards the fourth conference of the parties to the UNFCCC (COP4). Minister Ohki, who chaired the COP3, will serve as the COP Chair until the COP4 in November 1998.

III. Strengthening Scientific Infrastructure
Japan's EA will strengthen its contribution to science relating to global warming through projects at the new Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) to study long-term policies for sustainable development particularly in Asia and the Pacific; through use of the Global Environment Research Fund to explain global warming mechanisms and improve the accuracy of forecasts; and through work to predict and assess the impacts of global warming on ecosystems, water resources, industry and human health under different scenarios, and consideration of early warning systems.

The work of addressing the threat of climate change will involve all sectors of society. In its capacity, the Environment Agency of Japan is involved in many of the initiatives above to make its contribution to finding solutions.

Global Environment Information Center (GEIC)
5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150
Tel: 03-3407-8107
Fax: 03-3407-8164
Homepage: http://www.geic.or.jp

NEW GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED

On 27 November the GPN Steering Committee adopted purchasing guidelines in three new categories: toilet paper, tissue paper and personal computers. Purchasing guidelines are established according to Principles of Green Purchasing and consist of points that should be considered when a particular good or service is purchased. The new guidelines are in addition to two previous categories of 'office and printing paper' and 'copiers, laser printers, and laser facsimiles'. The Environment Data Book for Product Choice concerning these three areas will be published in June this year. Upcoming guidelines are for refrigerators, stationery, washing machines, lighting appliances and also for vehicles, air conditioners and office furniture.

SURVEY

GPN surveyed members between July and September in 1997 to assess the status of members' green purchase initiatives and national trends of green consumerism. The result revealed that organized initiatives have made considerable progress, that of paper and stationery are subject of much attention, and that the GPN Purchasing Guidelines and Data Book for Product Choice are used along with environmental labelling such as the 'Eco Mark' as vital information sources.
1613 survey sheets were distributed among members and non-members of GPN, of which 477 were answered. Of the surveyed 40% answered they are conducting green purchasing, and another 46% plan to do so. Only 14% said they have no plans for green purchasing. Most popular areas the respondents conduct green purchasing are paper, followed by stationery, office equipment and packaging materials. Most favored information sources include product catalogs and environmental labelling, immediately followed by the GPN Purchasing Guideline and Data Book.

WHAT IS THE APN?

An understanding of the complex mechanisms and impacts of global environmental change on human health, welfare and ecosystems is becoming increasingly important for humanity. In particular, national, regional, and international policies need to reflect the best scientific knowledge available. This fact is notable in the area of responses to climate change.
The APN exists to contribute to that understanding. It is an inter-governmental network whose primary purposes are to foster research about global environmental change in the Asia-Pacific region, to increase developing country participation in that research, and to strengthen links between the scientific community and policy makers. It promotes, encourages and supports research activities on long-term global changes in climate, ocean and terrestrial systems, and on related physical, chemical, biological and socio-economic processes.

Matching initiatives in other parts of the world, the first workshop to consider the creation of a network in the Asia-Pacific region was held in Tokyo in December 1992. During the next four years a number of workshops identified scientific areas needing attention in the Asia-Pacific region which the APN is to address (see table) and suggested a structure. These meetings led to the official birth of the APN at the first Inter-Governmental Meeting in March of 1996 in Chiangmai, Thailand.
The network has been steadily developing, and in September 1997 had its first open call for research proposals. The 3rd Inter-Governmental Meeting in Beijing agreed on which projects to fund in the next year, and among other conclusions agreed to start a formal strategic planning process to guide the future development of the network in the rapidly evolving field of global change research. The Secretariat of the APN is based in Tokyo, sponsored by the Environment Agency of Japan.

Homepage http://www.ecoasia.org

• Eco-Consciousness: Common environmentally sound values such as practices, traditions, modes of social conduct, decision-making and bodies of indigenous knowledge
• Eco-Partnership: Activity which reinforces cooperation and exchange of experience within and between countries, companies, NGOs, local governments, joint activities, etc.
• Eco-Technology & Eco-Investment: Environmentally sound technology and investment that reconciles economic growth and environmental protection
• Eco-Policy Linkages: Strategy that links domestic/national environmental policies with regional or global environmental policies

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
1560-39 Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0115, Japan
Phone: +81-468-55-3700
Fax: +81-468-55-3709
E-mail: iges@iges.or.jp
Homepage: http://www.iges.or.jp