French-Japanese Forum on Ecological Transition

On Monday, May 18, Governor Masuzoe attended the French-Japanese Forum on Ecological Transition.

At the forum, the governor said, “Climate change is a crisis that humanity is facing, and the whole world must unite to solve the problem. In working toward an agreement on a new framework at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) to be held late this year, we must bring together human knowledge and wisdom. As one of the world’s major cities, Tokyo too will continue its efforts to reduce energy consumption and promote renewable energies and hydrogen energy, with the aims of realizing a low-carbon society and creating a smart-energy city. Also, it is necessary to join hands with overseas cities and carry out technological exchange with them. We will actively promote city-to-city exchange and deepen cooperation on a global scale. I hope Tokyo and Paris will be able to further strengthen our partnership, thus contributing to the success of COP 21 in Paris.”

Co-hosted by several organizations including the French Embassy in Japan and the Ministry of the Environment, this forum gathered Japanese and French participants to discuss post-Kyoto Protocol actions for global environmental protection, in preparation for COP 21 scheduled to take place in Paris late this year. The forum was held on the theme “Living in the period of ecological transition.”