Environment Minister Proposes 100-year Plan of Nation-Building with "Natural Capital"

In December 2005, the Japanese Environment Minister, Yuriko Koike, proposed a 100-year plan to build a nation blessed with natural capital, aiming to improve the environment for future generations, at both the national and local levels. Until April 28, 2006, the Ministry of the Environment is broadly seeking public opinions about their plans for nation building utilizing natural capital.

The minister compiled the plan prior to the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP1) in December 2005. The plan examines the past 130 years, during which time social capital has been rapidly developed, and stresses that natural capital, such as greenery, water, air and living things must be revitalized and utilized in an effort to avoid handing down natural liabilities to future generations. It also recommends that the concept of natural capital be fundamental to the nation and its cities in the twenty-first century.

The plan makes six proposals. For example, it suggests a combined strategy to address the nation's dual problems of a manpower shortage in forest maintenance and the social problem of NEETs (people who are not in education, employment or training), by encouraging them to become self-reliant by working in forests. It also proposes town planning based on revitalized nature activities and human wisdom, and full use of solar energy, aimed at striking a complete balance between demand and supply in energy and achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions. The plan illustrates a policy of incorporating environmental thinking into government activities with bold ideas befitting a turning point in history.

http://www.env.go.jp/en/

Posted: 2006/03/16 10:43:11 AM
Japanese version