The interests of Australia and Japan in combating climate change, an issue which transcends national boundaries, are bringing the two countries together. Never before has climate change posed such an unprecedented challenge to humanity and drastic action needs to be taken to reduce its effects. Despite the recognition that climate change is a significant threat to the delicate balance of life, an internationally unified approach to tackling the issue is difficult to obtain. It is difficult to determine if there will be an agreement reached that satisfies the interests of every nation. However, by increasing ties between countries, the issue can begin to be alleviated successfully. An example of such collaboration is apparent in the increasing bilateral ties between Australia and Japan, and both countries’ environmental policies can gain significantly by cooperation based on open dialogue and scientific thinking.
Since the Kyoto Conference on Climate Change in 1997, the Australian government determined not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, Prime Minister Howard stating that its obligation was to protect the national interest both in Australia and overseas. The Australian economy has relied heavily on its exports of coal, and agricultural products that have not only made Australia a prosperous nation, but have contributed to the prosperity of others, including Japan, Australia’s best customer. While there is a realisation that climate change must be tackled, the Howard government argues that this must be done in a way that is ‘fair and economically efficient encompassing all major global greenhouse gas emitters.’ In other words, the government wants emerging countries China and India to join in a united approach.
Japan has moved ahead of Australia as it is committed to the Kyoto Protocol and is encouraging large emitters to take up the challenge of substantial emission reduction. Australia is among the non-complying countries Japan seeks to influence and, while its own emissions are low in total quantity, it is a great exporter of coal, a major contributor to the enhanced Greenhouse Effect.
Despite recent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Australian government needs to do more and it is to Japan that Australia should look. It is in Australia’s interest to ratify the Kyoto protocol as Japan did in 2002. At present, Australia is facing the worst drought is decades, made even worse by the effects of climate change. Urgent action needs to be implemented to secure Australia’s future water supply. Japan being the home of the Kyoto Protocol and fully understanding its implications, is in a prime position to influence the direction of Australia’s future environment policy.
While Australia has been slow to promote research into sustainable development, Japan is already a leader in the field. Since the late 1980s Japan has implemented domestic environment laws such as the Air Pollution Control law as well as laws relating to the promoting recycling and that of regulating hazardous waste. In 2000 a Green Power Fund was established to promote wind power and, in 2005, Japan successfully promoted the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD). Other initiatives by the Japanese government include the funding of energy efficiency improvements, and pollution control projects throughout the Asia-Pacific region to address the problem of acid rain.
Australia’s growing ties with Japan in areas like security and reconstruction have been productive of a growing attitude of trust and good will between the two countries which can be drawn upon in the important work of reducing greenhouse emissions. By increasing the funding for projects in the field, both countries can foster new sustainable technologies and implement them in practice. Collaborative participation in think tanks is another option.
It may be that Australia will not sign the current Kyoto agreement however it will certainly become closely involved in future international treaties. Here Japan’s easing of the way for Australia could do much to make Australia more confident of its capacity to meet greenhouse targets which today’s government believes threatens its economic viability. It is possible that with future collaboration Japan and Australia will be among the leaders in the post Kyoto agreement. Indeed it may even be that Japan will assist Australia in joining the current Protocol before 2012.
Climate change is a silent threat to the wellbeing of international citizens, the greatest single issue facing the world. The bilateral cooperation in addressing the climate change problem between Australia and Japan is of significance to both governments and both have the opportunity to learn from the other’s example. Policy making at the top should be further complemented by informal dialogues between the citizens and business communities from each country. Looking wider, constructive collaboration may lead to agreements in other areas of mutual interests outside of environmental policy, again benefiting both countries and possible stability to the Asia region. In the long run, it will be the goodwill inherent in both countries which will allow a spirit of understanding and agreement to emerge capable of promoting real solutions for our planet.
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