Hatoyama pledges on world stage 25% emissions cut by 2020

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NEW YORK, Sept. 22 Kyodo -
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama pledged on the world stage Tuesday to
cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels, while
proposing international mechanisms to offer technological and financial support
to developing nations as part of efforts to tackle global warming.
The new Japanese leader said in a speech at the U.N. climate change summit in
New York his government is ''resolved to excise the political will required to
deliver on this promise by mobilizing all available policy tools.''
These include the introduction of a domestic emissions trading system and a
''feed-in tariff'' for renewable energy and the possible establishment of a tax
to pay for steps against global warming, he said.
However, Hatoyama, who heads the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and took
office just six days ago, also added that Japan will not be committed to
realizing the 25 percent goal as a promise to international society unless all
major emitters agree on an ambitious target as well.
''The commitment of Japan to the world is premised on agreement on ambitious
targets by all the major economies,'' he said.
During the speech at the summit hosted by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon,
the 62-year-old stressed developing nations also need to mount efforts to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions ''in the process of furthering sustainable
development and poverty reduction...under the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities.''
Concerning support for developing nations, which he said is dubbed the
''Hatoyama Initiative,'' he underscored that solving this issue will ''entail a
vast amount of financial resources in particular to support adaptation efforts
by vulnerable developing countries and small island countries'' and that such
funds need to be ''strategically expanded.''
''Japan is prepared to provide more financial and technical assistance than in
the past in accordance with the progress of the international negotiations,''
he said.
While stressing the importance of industrialized nations investing public
funds, Hatoyama also said he will cooperate with other leaders to create a
mechanism that also ''facilitates the flow of private investments.''
Hatoyama proposed, as one general rule for aiding developing nations, that not
just Japan but also other industrialized nations should contribute ''through
substantial, new and additional public and private financing'' to the
countries.
He also said it is necessary to develop rules that ''will facilitate
international recognition of developing countries' emissions reductions...in a
measurable, reportable and verifiable manner'' and to create ''innovative
mechanisms...in a predictable manner.''
He also proposed a framework of maintaining the balance between protecting
intellectual property rights and promoting the export of low-carbon
technologies.
Citing that Japan boasts the ability to develop advanced technologies and is
well-financed, he said it is Japan's role in international society to take the
lead in setting a reduction target, producing innovative technologies and
achieving the targets through the development of innovative technologies.
World leaders also ''have a responsibility to future generations to create a
sustainable society by transforming the social structure that we have known
since the Industrial Revolution,'' Hatoyama said.
In the lead-up to a key U.N. climate change conference in Copenhagen in
December, he said, ''I will exert every effort for the success of Copenhagen in
the course of formulating this (Hatoyama) initiative.''
Hatoyama announced the 25-percent reduction target at a symposium in Tokyo
earlier this month. The target, which is significantly higher than the
8-percent cut in the same time frame by the previous administration led by the
Liberal Democratic Party, won applause from the world, while spurring a
backlash among industries.
==Kyodo