- Title: Japan minister: Paris accord under threat if coronavirus trumps climate change
- Date: 13th April 2020
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (APRIL 13, 2020) (REUTERS) JAPANESE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, SPEAKING VIA VIDEO CALL WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, SAYING: "If we gave priority unconditionally to economic recovery, while neglecting the environment, it would virtually mean the death of the Paris accord." TOKYO, JAPAN (RECENT - MARCH 28, 2020) (REUTERS) EMPTY CROSSING IN SHIBUYA EXTERIOR OF CLOSED STARBUCKS CLOSED ENTRANCE TO CAFE EXTERIOR OF ZARA WITH HALF CLOSED SHUTTERS SIGN READING (Japanese): "TEMPORARY CLOSURE ON MARCH 28 AND 29" VARIOUS OF EMPTY SHOPPING STREETS TOKYO, JAPAN (APRIL 13, 2020) (REUTERS) 1O. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, SAYING: "No one at the environment ministry disagrees that the economy is important. We just would like to behave in a way that the environment will never be left behind." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, SAYING: "Since COP26 has been postponed, we now have enough time to make a second NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) before COP26, with the newest data and facts. Japan takes this (the postponement) as a positive development and will strive to create the situation where we can take part in COP26 with our heads held high." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, SAYING: "Doing an interview like this via the web is because I am conducting myself with the notion that I may be an asymptotic virus carrier." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, SAYING: "The environment ministry will cut its (number of) commuters by 70 percent. I would like to show people that we are leading the way."
- Embargoed: 27th April 2020 13:30
- Keywords: COP 26 Japan Japanese Envrionment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi Paris accord climate new coronavirus
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA001C9BOT3B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi warned on Monday (April 13) that the Paris climate accord could face death if steps to fight global warming were put on the backburner to facilitate the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Many economists and policymakers are forecasting a steep global recession this year as countries are forced into lockdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus, curtailing business activity in a major blow to jobs and incomes.
Under the landmark 2015 Paris accord, nearly 200 nations agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a bid to prevent catastrophic planetary warming.
Japan last month submitted to the United Nations its closely watched target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a five-year review.
The goal of a 26% reduction by the fiscal year ending March 2031 from levels seen in fiscal 2013 was unchanged from five years ago, disappointing climate change campaigners, although the country said it will pursue effort for further cuts.
Speaking to Reuters, Koizumi said that he aims to submit a more aggressive target by the next climate summit due to take place in Glasgow next year.
The conference, known as COP26, was originally scheduled for November, but has been postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus outbreak.
(Production: Hideto Sakai, Akiko Okamoto, Hanna Rantala, Louisa Naks) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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