Global Remedy for the Environment and Energy use:
GREEN Initiative (Summary)

The GREEN Initiative is an action program to mitigate climate change concerns. Assuming that the concentration of CO2 is to be stabilized at the level that is twice as high as the level before the Industrial Revolution, it is estimated that the average level of CO2 emission per capita in developed countries should be reduced from 3.5 carbon tons in 1990 to approximately 1.0 carbon tons by the year 2100. Therefore, under this initiative, Japan invites other developed countries to develop and diffuse "Green Technologies" and disseminate technologies to developing countries by "Green Aid."

Green Technology

a) Development and diffusion of energy saving technologies

- Highly efficient energy saving technologies in industrial sector

- Energy saving consumer appliances and energy efficiency standards

b) Introduction of non-fossil fuel energy

-Very low cost solar energy

-Ultra-low-emission-vehicles and those using electricity, etc.

-R & D for super high efficiency solar cells

-R & D on technologies for effective use of bio-energy

c) Promotion of global forestation and forest conservation

-R & D on plants with substantial durability for severe conditions such as the desert and combat desertification

-Enhanced activities of public sector and private business sector in global forestation.

d) Development of innovative energy and environment technologies

-CO2 sequestration (into ocean and aquifer) technologies

-Chemical and biological CO2 fixation and utilization technologies

Green Aid

a) ODA and private-based cooperation

-Utilized in the field of energy and environment

b) Human resources development

-Accelerated technical cooperation on measures to prevent climate change

c) Enabling environment

-Assistance to improve capabilities from social, economic and systemic perspectives

d) Information exchange

-Inventory of energy saving technologies that are applicable in developing countries

Implementation of the Green Initiative

The Green Initiative will be implemented through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, through international organizations, including the International Energy Agency(IEA) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) and through a possibly UN organization.

Private sector is expected to play an important role in implementing the GREEN Initiative.