Japan seeks Mexico’s backing to fight global warming

By IANS

Mexico City : The Japanese government has asked Mexico to support its “Cool Earth 50” initiative that seeks to extend the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, EFE news agency reported Thursday.


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Japan has on several occasions shown interest in “promoting cooperation schemes with Mexico with regard to climate change and energy”, the Mexican environment and natural resources secretariat Semarnat said.

Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, Mexican environment secretary, said Japan’s proposal outlines a strategy for a 50 percent reduction in worldwide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The proposal also includes a long-term plan to develop innovative technologies and bring about low-carbon economies.

Cool Earth 50 calls for major emitters to participate in a post-Kyoto framework that takes into account each country’s circumstances and ensures environmental protection is compatible with economic development and energy security.

The Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, called for industrialised nations to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by five percent from 1990 levels in an effort to slow global warming.

The US, the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide, has never ratified the protocol, which binds 35 industrialised nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The Mexican official said all nations without exception should participate in the effort to combat climate change.

“Half measures, not getting involved and walking away is unacceptable. We have to come together and work to improve this scenario,” Elvira Quesada said.

He also expressed Mexico’s interest in closer technical cooperation with Japan, including the possible participation of Semarnat and the Energy Secretariat in projects related to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to global warming.

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