Southeast Asian Countries and Japan Discuss Future Climate Regime

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), a Japanese research institute, held a consultation meeting with Southeast Asian countries in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 19 and 20, 2006. The purpose of this meeting was to exchange views on a new climate regime after the first commitment period (2008-2012) of the Kyoto Protocol. The meeting was organized as part of IGES's fiscal 2006 project commissioned by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, and co-sponsored by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

A total of 70 people from Southeast Asian countries, Japan and UN agencies participated in the meeting and had a lively discussion about an international climate regime beyond 2012. They focused on four major topics: industrial development and energy security, technology development and transfer, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and adaptation to climate change.

Concerning "industrial development and energy security," participants exchanged their opinions, given the situation in Asian countries where there is a large population of poor people despite rapid economic growth. They stated that it is necessary to integrate energy issues and poverty measures into climate policies, and also to make better use of renewable energy and energy-saving technologies that are available in individual counties. As for "technology development and transfer," participants pointed out the need for further development of technologies and their transfer to developing countries. Additionally, they indicated the necessity of spreading technologies within the developing countries.

Regarding the CDM, participants said that a longer commitment period be should established after the first one ends in 2012, and that CDM procedures should be made simpler and more flexible to promote the implementation of CDM projects in least-developed countries. As for "adaptation to climate change," they stressed the importance of taking immediate action, considering the increasing number of natural disasters caused by climate change in Southeast Asia.

http://www.env.go.jp/en/headline/headline.php?serial=115

Posted: 2006/10/11 02:12:16 PM
Japanese version