The Japanese Ministry of the Environment established the "Japan Carbon Offset Forum" (J-COF) on April 1, 2008, in accordance with the "Guidelines for Carbon Offsetting in Japan" drawn up in February 2008. The Ministry held meetings to kick off the initiative in Tokyo on April 15 and in Kyoto on April 16, 2008.

"Carbon offset" systems aim to achieve carbon neutrality by totally or partly offsetting excess emissions through reduction or absorption of greenhouse gases by separate methods. Under this kind of system, individuals, businesses and local governments recognize their own emissions and make efforts to reduce them.

In the kick-off meeting, Forum members including Takejiro Sueyoshi, a chief advisor of the Forum and Special Advisor to the United Nations Environmental Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), discussed the potential of carbon offset systems for promoting a low-carbon society. About twenty knowledgeable persons from various fields also attended the meetings as advisors. The Forum will collect and disseminate information to raise public awareness and provide consultative services on how carbon offset systems can contribute toward establishing a low-carbon society.


http://www.j-cof.org/e/index.html

Posted: 2008/09/09 06:32:03 AM

TAG Global warming , Government