Japan Brief/FPCJ, No. 0939
July 15, 2009

Leaders Discuss Global Warming and Other Issues at G8 Summit in Italy

The Group of Eight summit meeting was held on July 8-10 in L’Aquila, Italy, with Prime Minister Taro Aso attending from Japan. Meetings of the G8 + 5 (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa), the 16-member Major Economies Forum (MEF), and the G8 + African countries were also held.

The Group of 8 agreed in their declaration to support the goal of developed countries reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in aggregate by 80% or more by 2050 as part of the goal of achieving at least a 50% reduction of global emissions by that year. This ambitious long-term objective apparently was meant to persuade emerging economies like China and India, which are major emitters, to agree to the worldwide goal of a 50% reduction. Although the 16-member Major Economies Forum did not include a 50% reduction in its statement, it did not object to the G8 goal of restraining the temperature rise in 2050 to 2 degrees Celsius from the pre-Industrial Revolution level. In terms of both mid- and long-term objectives, the declaration secured the flexibility not to limit the baseline year to 1990.

Stating that although there are signs of stabilization in the world economy, there is still a risk of a further downturn, the declaration agreed to resume the stalled Doha round of multilateral trade negotiations and conclude them next year. This is an encouraging move to buck the trend of mounting protectionism in the midst of the global economic crisis and to test the countries that, while advocating restraints on protectionism, have actually been practicing protectionist measures.

Regarding nuclear disarmament, the G8 agreed to make efforts to achieve a nuclear arsenal-free world and welcomed the framework agreement between the United States and Russia for a substantial mutual reduction of strategic arms.

In response to Prime Minister Aso’s insistence that the G8 should take a firm stance because North Korea’s nuclear tests and missile launches are a serious breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions, the declaration included this problem in addition to the abduction issue.

Regarding development and Africa, Prime Minister Aso’s suggestion that a guideline is needed to promote responsible international investment in agriculture was supported by other countries. At the expanded meeting concerning food security, Prime Minister Aso pledged that Japan would commit at least $3 billion for farming and related infrastructure in developing nations from 2010-12.

Newspaper Commentaries

Although recognizing the continuously important role the G8 must play, the Japanese media played up the contrast between the sinking relative importance of the G8 and the presence of emerging powers, especially China. Newspapers said that despite the absence of President Hu Jintao, who flew back home to address the issue of Uighur disturbances in Xinjiang, China was a key shadow player in the L’Aquila meetings.

The Asahi Shimbun editorial (July 10) stated, “The G8 statement urged all nuclear powers to disclose more information about their nuclear arsenals and take further steps in nuclear disarmament. The document indicates an intention to promote multilateral nuclear arms reduction talks involving China, Britain, and France after the United States and Russia make significant progress in slashing their stockpiles of atomic weapons. Even if this idea cannot be realized immediately, it is still significant that the G8 leaders have confirmed their cooperation in this direction.” Another Asahi editorial (July 11) commented, “The days are gone when the United States, Europe, and Japan would agree on something and the rest of the world would follow. The Group of Eight (G8) summit held in L’Aquila, Italy, has clearly revealed the limitations of the G8 forum in this multipolar world.” It went on, however, “There is also concern that the G20 may not be flexible enough for consensus-building” and “the G8 may need to operate effectively and as more than a preparatory meeting.”

The Mainichi Shimbun editorial (July 11) on “Climate change” stated, “It is regrettable to note that Japan’s determination and strategy regarding measures against global warming were totally nonexistent at the G8 and MEF meetings.” Its editorial titled “Summit” commented, “. . . it is premature to discard the G8 summit as useless. World-scale problems that demand the cooperation of major countries still abound.”

The Nikkei editorial (July 11) observed, “The G8’s goal for a reduction of more than 80% was intended as a card to induce emerging economies to agree. Although it failed to reach an agreement this time around, we give high marks to the G8’s decision to lay out this high goal.” It continued, “The 80% plus reduction was decided at the initiative of Europe and the United States. Japan’s mid-term target, which the government boasted as one ‘that goes ahead of Europe and the United States,’ was not enough to make an impression.

The Sankei Shimbun editorial (July 10) remarked, “Having the full implementation of UN sanctions against North Korea and the issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens included in the G8 declaration deserves praise as a success for Japan’s diplomacy. In the meantime, the industrialized countries’ agreement on a target to cut emissions by 80% in the next 40 years looks too lofty. Is it possible to realize this goal?”

The Yomiuri Shimbun editorial (July 10) stated, “It is still unclear whether the world economy can recover within this year and return to positive growth by next year. It is also important for G8 nations and emerging countries such as China and India to enhance cooperation via the G8. As the declaration emphasized the taking of all steps necessary, it is vital that no loose reins remain vis-a-vis fiscal policy. The strengthening of employment measures must be expedited.”

(Copyright 2009 Foreign Press Center, Japan)

*Japan Brief is an original production of the Foreign Press Center, Japan, and does not represent the views of the Government of Japan or of any other body.


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