G-8 yields mixed assessments on ecology, AIDS
(From The Japan Times June 10 issue)

G8の評価、環境とAIDS問題で割れる

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel, host of this year's summit, made a deal on climate change her top priority. She had support from most other at-tendees. U.S. President George W. Bush was the most important holdout. While he has reluctantly acknowledged the significance of global warming, he steadfastly opposes binding targets, preferring voluntary measures.

    At their meeting, which ended June 8, the G-8 leaders agreed to major cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Officials from the countries that produce the most greenhouse gases will negotiate nonbinding goals by the end of next year. The European Union, Canada and Japan have pledged to halve their emissions by 2050. The United States and Russia said they would "seriously consider" that goal.

    China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa are "prepared to accept commitments" though they, like the United States, are not ready to accept spe-cific targets because of the feared impact on economic growth. Still, Ms. Merkel considers that a victory: "No one can escape this declaration. It is an enormous step forward."

    The leaders also agreed that discussions should occur within the United Nations framework. On May 31, Mr. Bush suggested that the top 15 polluters meet to set a long-term goal on emissions' reductions but the U.S. president's refusal to embrace the Kyoto Protocol has left many wondering whether his goal is to undermine that agreement.

    The G-8 deal reinforces the centrality of the United Nations in this effort rather than ad hoc forums. The next steps toward creating a post-Kyoto world will occur in December, when environment ministers convene in Bali, Indonesia. Affirmation of the U.N. framework should thus be considered a success.

    The applause was muted, however, after the leaders turned to funding for AIDS and other diseases. Two years ago, the G-8 heads agreed to increase aid by $50 billion a year through 2010, with half the sum going to Africa. That goal has not been met; some have put the shortfall at $30 billion. This year, Ms. Merkel announced that the group would provide $60 billion to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Activists immediately criticized the pledge, noting that half that sum had already been declared by the United States, that the offer was not earmarked for Africa, and that there was no timeline.

    The leaders tackled other pressing foreign policy issues such as nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran. Also, "deeply concerned about the tragic security and humanitarian situation" in Darfur, the leaders demanded that "Those violating the human rights of civilians in Darfur be held responsible and we will support efforts to bring the perpetrators of atrocities to justice." All participants in the Darfur conflict were called on to abide by cease-fire agreements and obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1591 and international law.

    Going down a checklist of concerns is not enough. There must be benchmarks for progress and report cards to ensure that goals are met.

    For Japan, the host of next year's meeting, the burden is especially high. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that a Japanese initiative provided the basis for discussion of climate change. Now, Tokyo must ensure that this year's pledges do not become more empty rhetoric. That means building a real consensus on aggressive and achievable emissions' cuts, and ensuring that non-Kyoto countries are on board. That summit is a year away, but the work begins now.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 16, 2007
(C) All rights reserved

    会議の議長を務めたメルケル独首相は、気候変動をサミットの最優先事項と位置づけていたが、ブッシュ米大統領は温室効果ガス削減の具体的目標設定に反対した。

    EU、カナダ、日本はガス排出量を2050年までに半減することを約束した。米露は、その目標を「真剣に検討する」という。中国、インド、ブラジル、メキシコ、南アフリカは、自国経済への影響を考え、米露同様に具体的数値目標受け入れに応じなかった。

    重要なことは、参加首脳が、地球温暖化対策について国連の場で討議をすることに合意したことだ。しかし、京都議定書を離脱したブッシュ政権が、議定書の弱体化を図っているのではないかという疑問は残る。

    2年前のG8サミットは、エイズなどの伝染病対策について、2010年まで、拠出金を年間500億ドルずつ増額し、そのうち半分をアフリカ向けとすることを決めたが、目標はまだ達成されておらず、資金不足は300億ドルに上るといわれる。今回は、エイズ、マラリア、結核対策のため600億ドルの拠出を決めたが、そのうち半額はすでに米国が約束した額であり、アフリカ向けの割合も明示されず、拠出期限も定められていない。

    来年のG8サミットの主催国となる日本の責任は重い。安倍首相によれば、今回は日本の提案が気候変動に関する討議の基礎になったという。日本は、温室効果ガス抑制についてのサミット合意が空手形とならぬよう、達成可能な排出削減目標について真の合意を作り、京都議定書非参加国が参加するよう努力せねばならない。