Japan urged other countries this week to raise energy efficiency enhanced information sharing and step-up the battle against global warming. The ministers from both oil and consuming economies agreed to ensure stability in energy markets.
Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima, speaking to the International Energy Forum (IEF) in Cancun, Mexico, proposed that the IEF hold a workshop on policies to promote energy-saving technologies. "It would be meaningful to share information to boost energy-saving effects,'' Naoshima told the forum, attended by representatives from some 65 countries.
Japan's goal is to commit to a 25 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2020. However, on the condition that major carbon emitters such as China and the U.S., join a global framework to reduce emissions, as well. Thus, the Japanese government is counting on a number of other tactics to reach its pledge of 25 percent, including improving energy conservation, moving away from coal and promoting natural gas for fuel, and tripling its supply of new and renewable energy sources.
During the meeting the declaration said, "To meet before March 2011 in Saudi Arabia to approve an IEF Charter to enable the forum to strengthen the architecture of the consumer-producer dialogue through the IEF and reduce volatility in energy markets."
