Page 12 - AsiaElec Week 03 2021

AsiaElec NEWS IN BRIEF AsiaElec

society

The world is now facing two global crises:
the coronavirus pandemic and climate
change. As we stand at this turning point for
civilisation, it’s essential that we redesign our
socioeconomic systems to be sustainable and
resilient. That is why Japan is now taking on
the “Three Transitions” challenge towards:
a decarbonised society, a circular economy,
and a decentralised society, Shinjiro Koizumi,
Minister of the Environment, Ministry of
the Environment of Japan, said on the World
Economic Forum website.
In October 2020, Prime Minister Suga
declared that by 2050, Japan aims to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero. The
administration will focus on realising a “green
society,” because “proactive climate change
measures bring transformation of industrial
structures as well as our economy and society,
leading to dynamic economic growth,” Suga
stated.
resources. Asia and the Pacific; (iii) encouragement of Furthermore, in November last year, the
“Healthy oceans are critical to life across stakeholder participation and mobilisation Japanese House of Representatives and the
Asia and the Pacific, providing food security of third-party finance; (iv) environmental House of Councillors declared a climate
and climate resilience for hundreds of millions and social sustainability; and (v) country emergency; indicating that tackling climate
of people,” said ADB Vice-President for ownership of investment policies and change is not a partisan issue. It means
Knowledge Management and Sustainable programs. ADB and EIB will mutually that Japan’s climate policies are unwavering
Development Bambang Susantono. “This benefit from organisational expertise in key regardless of who holds power. I believe that
Memorandum of Understanding between investment areas as well as pool resources this policy stability and continuity is Japan’s
ADB and EIB will launch a framework in emerging ocean issues and solutions strength.
for cooperation on clean and sustainable and accelerate growth in the oceans project As a long-standing advocate of raising the
oceans, helping us to expand our pipeline of pipeline and development impact. government’s climate goals and revising the
ocean projects in the region and widen their The partnership will support projects that export policy on coal-fired power plants, I
impacts.” reduce marine plastic pollution including strongly believe that this declaration of carbon
“Oceans play a vital role in the world integrated solid waste management projects, neutrality is a turning point. We cannot
economy and they are also the largest carbon such as recycling; circular economy principles, just sit and wait for future innovations if we
sink on the planet, helping to regulate such as designing out plastic waste; and are to achieve this goal by 2050. Existing
the global climate. But oceans are under promoting clean rivers and waterways, decarbonisation technologies, such as
enormous pressure, with implications for including through improved wastewater renewable energy and electric vehicles should
billions of people. The economic crisis management and inclusive sanitation. be mainstream in society. The next 10 years
caused by COVID-19 does not weaken our The partnership will also focus on leading up to 2030 will be decisive in our
commitment to address global environmental sustainable fisheries management and efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
and climate challenges,” said EIB Vice- sustainable seafood supply chains; sustainable Japan’s “transition to decarbonisation” efforts
President Christian Kettel Thomsen. “As the management, protection, and restoration are outlined below.
European Union (EU) climate bank, we are of marine and coastal ecosystems and Firstly, we will write the goal of 2050
very proud to partner with ADB through this resources; integrated coastal protection carbon neutrality into law as we revise
new Clean and Sustainable Ocean Partnership activities; disaster risk preparedness; and the Act on Promotion of Global Warming
to further protect the oceans and preserve and green shipping, green ports, and maritime Countermeasures. This will give the legal basis
promote the sustainable use of this precious infrastructure, with a focus on increasing for the policy and ensure its continuity.
natural resource.” safety and environmental performance. The second point relates to initiatives led
The partnership provides a framework for by local governments and the private sector.
ADB and EIB to expand inter-institutional The number of Japanese zero carbon cities, or
cooperation and investments in ocean local governments, committing to achieving
health and sustainable blue economy. The POLICY zero carbon emissions by 2050 has jumped
following principles will guide the ADB and from four (when I was appointed Minister of
EIB cooperation in jointly selected areas, Japan’s transition to the Environment) to over 200, representing a
including: (i) alignment with the country population of more than 90mn.
partnership strategies of both ADB and EIB; become a decarbonised In order to achieve carbon neutrality by
(ii) support for the achievement of the SDGs 2050, systemic socioeconomic changes are
and the Paris Agreement by countries in needed, such as lifestyle changes in clothing,

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