• G8
• Issue 2

Environmental issues will be the priority for Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who is taking part in his first G8 meeting as head of state.

The Japanese government approved new environmental measures for 2007 just in time for the Heiligendamm summit with a raft of measures designed to encourage the entire nation to take action to meet the duties of the Kyoto Protocol.

Between 1990 and 2005, Japan's greenhouse gas emissions increased by eight per cent - but now a new goal has been set.  Abe's government hopes to reduce emissions by six per cent of the 1990 level by 2012.

He also announced a long-term proposal to tackle global warming by halving worldwide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Japan is positioning itself as a global green leader with enough moral authority to draft in the US, China and India.

With next year's G8 conference coming to Japan, Abe's willingness to show initiative and address the Kyoto Protocol now will be crucial to his upcoming role as host.

Image by: china digital times