At Major Economies Forum, Climate Campaigners Respond to Polluters’ Lobbying Efforts, Calling On Japanese PM Aso to be a Climate Hero

(Paris)— Youth leaders and members of global advocacy group Avaaz.org today launched an international effort aimed at persuading Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso to lead by example with a tough target to combat climate change.

The campaign is designed to ratchet up pressure on Japan ahead of a 2020 emissions reduction target announcement expected from Mr Aso within weeks, in the face of a massive lobbying effort by polluting Japanese corporations, and was launched to coincide with this week’s meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) in Paris, France. Youth leaders from seven countries gathered with Avaaz members outside the forum with a giant image of Japanese PM Taro Aso behind bars, calling on him to be a climate hero, not a “climate criminal.”

“We are asking Prime Minister Aso to take a stand – to tell polluting industries that the free ride is over and show that one of the world’s strongest economies is going to position itself as a leader in the battle against climate change,” said Avaaz.org Executive Director Ricken Patel. “The Japanese government’s ‘public consultation’ process around the 2020 targets has been practically stage-managed by polluting corporations. Japan must understand that giving in to polluters now will do immense harm to its reputation as a good global citizen.”

“Japan is a very important player on the global stage, and the impact of this decision extends well beyond its borders. Japan can demonstrate international leadership by taking on bold targets for our planet and start creating a new green economy with good, high-paying jobs in Japan – or it can choose to put the global climate talks in peril. In 1997, Japan was rightly proud to serve as the parent of the first global climate change treaty – what became known as the Kyoto Protocol. Mr Aso must not let the birthplace of Kyoto become the graveyard of Copenhagen”, said Mr Patel.

“Scientists tell us rich countries must cut carbon emissions a minimum of 25 percent to stop catastrophic climate change that could cost countless human lives.” said Australian youth leader Anna Keenan, who led the rally. “To recklessly ignore this warning is nothing short of criminal. That’s why we are urging Prime Minister Aso to honor the legacy of Kyoto by adopting a 25%-40% or higher target for GHG reductions in Japan. Anything less would be unacceptable to the world’s youth and future generations, who will bear the burden of shortsighted, irresponsible decisions made today.

After 45 minutes of demonstration — a diverse and vocal crowd of all ages chanting in English, French, and Japanese — Japanese negotiators from inside the Major Economies Forum came outside to witness the event. The negotiators were presented with the group’s demands for strong climate targets in the face of industry opposition, and also with a giant ‘green construction cap’ to symbolise green jobs and economic security if Japan takes on strong climate targets now.

The MEF is a critical step toward the December’s United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) 15 meeting in Copenhagen that will gather nations in aid of creating a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol.