3.3.2 Characteristics of Climate Change and the “CO 2
Problem”
3.3.2.1 Urgency of the Problem
The Paris Agreement established a global long-term goal to control global average
temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution to within 2
C and to strive to control
it to 1.5
C. To achieve this goal, we should “reach the global peak of greenhouse gas
emissions as soon as possible” and “achieve a balance between anthropogenic
emissions and removal of greenhouse gas sources in the second half of this century,”
i.e., achieve net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions by the second half of this
century.
The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide measured in Hawaii on May
3, 2019, exceeded 415 ppm, the highest value in 800,000 years. Abnormal weather
events, estimated to be caused by climate change, are occurring worldwide. Measures to combat climate change and prevent the scale of anthropogenic activities
from exceeding the limits of the Earth are urgently needed. Action must be taken as
quickly as possible; there is no time for debate. The commitments of the Paris
Agreement should be fulfilled and the mobilization of resources to tackle climate
change and promote sustainable development accelerated. The establishment of a
low-carbon community is a specific strategy for a collective response to climate
change.
3.3.2.2 Goal Commonality
Realizing a low-carbon society is a common goal of developed and developing
countries. Reducing CO 2 and balancing environmental cycles and growth will
contribute to achieving sustainable development, as prioritized through the UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN General Assembly in
September 2015. Climate change will affect the world’s ability to achieve the SDGs.
3.3.2.3 Specificity of Measures
Technological breakthroughs will be critical for realizing a wide-area low-carbon
society while ensuring global economic development. Countermeasure policies
consist of the following five pillars:
1. Promotion of global energy conservation
2. Substantial introduction of clean energy (such as conversion between fossil fuels,
development and introduction of renewable energy and nuclear power)
3. Development of innovative environmental technology (such as CO 2 separation,
collection, storage, recycling)
4. Expansion of CO 2 absorption sources (such as afforestation)
3 Concept and Framework of the East Asian Low-Carbon Community
71
Problem”
3.3.2.1 Urgency of the Problem
The Paris Agreement established a global long-term goal to control global average
temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution to within 2
C and to strive to control
it to 1.5
C. To achieve this goal, we should “reach the global peak of greenhouse gas
emissions as soon as possible” and “achieve a balance between anthropogenic
emissions and removal of greenhouse gas sources in the second half of this century,”
i.e., achieve net-zero global greenhouse gas emissions by the second half of this
century.
The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide measured in Hawaii on May
3, 2019, exceeded 415 ppm, the highest value in 800,000 years. Abnormal weather
events, estimated to be caused by climate change, are occurring worldwide. Measures to combat climate change and prevent the scale of anthropogenic activities
from exceeding the limits of the Earth are urgently needed. Action must be taken as
quickly as possible; there is no time for debate. The commitments of the Paris
Agreement should be fulfilled and the mobilization of resources to tackle climate
change and promote sustainable development accelerated. The establishment of a
low-carbon community is a specific strategy for a collective response to climate
change.
3.3.2.2 Goal Commonality
Realizing a low-carbon society is a common goal of developed and developing
countries. Reducing CO 2 and balancing environmental cycles and growth will
contribute to achieving sustainable development, as prioritized through the UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN General Assembly in
September 2015. Climate change will affect the world’s ability to achieve the SDGs.
3.3.2.3 Specificity of Measures
Technological breakthroughs will be critical for realizing a wide-area low-carbon
society while ensuring global economic development. Countermeasure policies
consist of the following five pillars:
1. Promotion of global energy conservation
2. Substantial introduction of clean energy (such as conversion between fossil fuels,
development and introduction of renewable energy and nuclear power)
3. Development of innovative environmental technology (such as CO 2 separation,
collection, storage, recycling)
4. Expansion of CO 2 absorption sources (such as afforestation)
3 Concept and Framework of the East Asian Low-Carbon Community
71