Technologies in Environment-
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 Although the US has withdrawn,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.
Contact for
more information 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
