Kyoto Protocol Ratified

Introduction

Following approval by both hoses of parliament in May, Japanese cabinet ratified Kyoto Protocol in the same form as adopted by COP3 to UNFCCC. This ratification was conveyed to the UN secretariat in early June. The parliament also passed a bill revising the law on the promotion of global warming measures. The revised law promotes countermeasures, provides for a plan to achieve the targets, review its effectiveness and make amendments, if required, in 2004 and 2007. Establishment of government headquarters as well as local councils consisting of local public corporations, business proprietors and citizens is proposed to promote global warming countermeasures. It also provides for a regulatory framework for a domestic system to make use of so called 'Kyoto mechanisms'.

The target during the first commitment period of 2008-12 as stipulated under Kyoto Protocol is to reduce the emission of GHG by industrialized countries by 5% on average from the level of 1990. Japan and the European Union are required to reduce their emissions by 6% and 8% respectively. Although the US has withdrawn, the protocol will come into force if Russia and Japan complete their ratifications. Signatory countries have hoped that the procedures in Russia may be accomplished before the WSSD in Johannesburg in early September.

For further information please contact

Science & Technology Wing Embassy of India
2-2-11, Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3262-2391 to 97,
Fax: +81-3-3234-4866
E-mail: tandonus@hotmail.com