Joint Statement of the U. S. and Japan on High-Level Consultations on Climate Change

Following is the text of a joint statement released by the U.S. and Japan following the third meeting of High-Level Consultations on Climate Change, in Washington, D.C., August 7, 2003. Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky led the U.S. delegation and Minister of the Environment Shunichi Suzuki led the Japanese delegation.

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Two years ago, the President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi agreed to initiate High-Level Consultations to explore common ground and areas for common action, based on the shared recognition that climate change is a pressing global problem requiring a global approach. Since then, the United States and Japan have taken significant actions to address climate change.

Last year, Japan and the United States acknowledged the promise of science and technology, the need to spur technological innovation, the importance of encouraging voluntary initiatives in the private sector, and the importance of market-based incentives. They also shared a common belief in the need for the widest possible global participation in addressing climate change, consistent with the need to ensure continued economic growth. Both sides noted with satisfaction today the considerable actions that have occurred over the past year in all of these areas.

The United States outlined recent developments in climate change activities, including progress in implementing voluntary programs, such as industry and sectoral initiatives, to meet the U.S. greenhouse gas intensity goal, the establishment of the Climate Change Research Strategic Plan, and enhanced funding for key technologies. The United States also outlined its plans for an International Partnership on the Hydrogen Economy, and invited Japan to participate in this effort. Japan explained its position regarding the Kyoto Protocol, including its efforts to achieve the commitment under the Kyoto Protocol through measures stipulated in its New Climate Policy Program such as reducing taxes on environmentally friendly vehicles, reforming its existing energy tax scheme, facilitating the Nippon Keidanren Voluntary Action Plan, strengthening research and development of environment-related technologies, and promoting public involvement. Both countries reaffirmed their intention to effectively implement their respective approaches to address climate change, in order to achieve the ultimate objective of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Japan and the United States noted in particular their enhanced commitment to research and development of cleaner and more efficient technologies, which will play a key role in achieving the ultimate objective of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, including through their participation in the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum. They also affirmed their resolve to provide leadership in improving the world’s capability to understand, monitor and predict climate variations and impacts, including through the Earth Observation Summit, held in Washington on July 31, and through the Ministerial Conference that Japan will host in Spring 2004 to agree on the framework for a ten year plan on earth observations. They noted that their efforts in these areas are contributing greatly to the implementation of the G-8 Summit Action Plan on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Japan and the United States welcomed the significant progress that has been made by the working level consultations.

For the full text of the Joint Statement and the annex see: www.state.gov/g/oes/climate/