DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref :
172/07) issued by The Government News Network on 13 June 2007
Environment
Minister Ian Pearson today highlighted the importance of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions at the start of a three day workshop on
moving to a low-carbon society.
The workshop, Achieving a Sustainable Low-Carbon Society, is a
collaboration between the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs (Defra) and The Ministry of Environment Japan (MoEJ)
to help establish the practical steps necessary to make low-carbon
societies a reality.
It has three main objectives:
* To demonstrate and raise awareness of the benefits of moving to
a low-carbon society through sustainable development;
* To develop recommendations on how to close the gap between the
business-as-usual and low-carbon society scenarios;
* To develop the framework for a map of low-carbon society activities.
Ian Pearson said:
"To achieve real global change, developed economies need to
show leadership at home - particularly in supporting the move to a
low-carbon society.
"Japan is one of our key partners in paving the way towards
a low-carbon society and our two Prime Ministers remain at the
forefront of efforts to secure international agreement on a future
framework. This close partnership is reflected at every level and
UK-Japan collaboration on this vital issue is the strongest it has
ever been.
"The UK-Japan collaboration on low-carbon societies shows
what we are able to achieve together and will provide the
opportunity to take a decisive step forward in the battle to
combat climate change."
Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Yoshiji Nogami said:
"Tackling Climate Change is at the top of the agenda between
Japan and the UK. This January, Prime Minister Abe and Prime
Minister Blair issued the Japan-UK joint statement. In this
statement, we identified Climate Change as one of four key issues
for us to work on together. We also agreed to work together on
joint research on science and technology for a Low Carbon Society
as well. We see 2008 is very crucial from the viewpoint of
formulating the post 2012 framework, and in that context, G8
summit in Japan next year is very challenging. I welcome the
significant inputs and contribution from this joint project to
that process in order to tackle climate change together."
Mr Pearson is speaking at the event along with Mr Nogami. Around
35 business leaders, 15 government officials, 30 leading academic
experts and 10 representatives of international organisations are
attending the conference which aims to build on the foundations
set by the first workshop in Tokyo last year.
The results from the workshop will be used to inform discussion
in fora such as the G8 Dialogue Ministerial meeting and the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Case studies of low-carbon cities including Dontang Eco-city
(China) and Sseesamirembe Eco-city (Uganda) will be presented at
the workshop. These cities mark the forefront of sustainable
development and are important in ongoing research concerning
low-carbon societies.
Notes to editor
1. The first Japan-UK Low-Carbon Society conference was held
14-16 June 2006 in Tokyo. An executive summary from this workshop
can be accessed at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/internat/pdf/low-carbon-societies.pdf
2. Achieving a Sustainable Low-Carbon Society comprises a one-day
symposium and discussion to demonstrate and raise awareness of the
necessity, feasibility and benefits of moving to a low-carbon
society through sustainable development. This precedes a two-day
workshop to demonstrate and raise awareness of the necessity,
feasibility and benefits of moving to a low-carbon society through
sustainable development.
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