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The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 29, 2009)
U.S., China could lead way to post-Kyoto deal
ＣＯ２削減　米中の目標公表で弾みつくか（11月29日付・読売社説）

The United States and China, the world's two largest emitters of greenhouse gas, have recently announced their medium-term targets for CO2 emission reductions. We hope their commitments will add momentum to the drafting of a fair framework to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which expires at the end of 2012.
　温室効果ガスの２大排出国である米国と中国が削減の中期目標を公表した。京都議定書に代わる公平な枠組み作りの弾みとしたい。

The United States has set itself a target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. The U.S. targets also include a 30 percent reduction by 2025, 42 percent by 2030 and 83 percent by 2050.
　米国の目標は、温室効果ガスの排出量を２０２０年までに０５年比で１７％削減するというものだ。さらに、２５年に３０％、３０年に４２％、５０年に８３％と段階を踏んで減らす内容である。

However, a 17 percent cut from 2005 levels actually represents a reduction of just a few percent from 1990 levels. This contrasts sharply with the target set by the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which aims to curb this nation's emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels.
　「０５年比１７％減」は、１９９０年比に換算すると数％の削減に過ぎない。９０年比で一気に２５％削減しようという鳩山政権の目標との違いが際立っている。

The U.S. targets are very realistic, as restoring the economy is currently Washington's top priority.
　経済の立て直しが最優先課題である米国にとって、現実的な色合いが濃い削減目標といえよう。

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China emissions could grow

Meanwhile, China, which has recently surpassed the United States to become the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, has announced it will reduce carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 40 percent to 45 percent compared with 2005 levels by 2020.
　米国を抜き最大の排出国となった中国の場合は、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）当たりの二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）排出量を２０年までに０５年比で４０〜４５％削減する。

The Chinese target of cutting emissions per unit of GDP is different from those adopted by Japan and the United States, which aim for reductions in total emissions volume. Under this approach, China would be allowed to emit more CO2 if its GDP grows.
　日本や米国のように、排出総量の削減目標ではなく、一定単位のＧＤＰを生み出す際のＣＯ２排出量を削減するという考え方だ。ＧＤＰが増えれば、ＣＯ２の総排出量も増加する可能性が高い。

China is apparently trying to trumpet to the world its contribution to tackling greenhouse gas reduction without damaging its economic growth. It also has stressed that cutting greenhouse gas emissions is a "voluntary action based on our own national situation."
　経済成長を損ねず、その一方で、排出削減に取り組む姿勢をアピールする狙いがあるのだろう。中国は「国情に基づく自主的な行動」とも強調している。

This indicates that Beijing is wary of entering into internationally binding deals on emissions reductions.
国際的に削減義務を負うことに対する警戒心がうかがえる。

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COP15 nations divided

The 15th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Climate Change Convention (COP15) will start in Copenhagen on Dec. 7. The U.S. and Chinese announcements of midterm targets is undoubtedly one step forward in the lead-up to COP15 discussions that will focus on a post-Kyoto Protocol international framework to be followed from 2013.
　１２月７日から気候変動枠組み条約締約国会議（ＣＯＰ１５）が開催される。１３年以降の国際的な削減ルールとなる「ポスト京都議定書」について討議するに当たり、米国と中国が中期目標を示したのは、一歩前進には違いない。

In reality, however, there is still a gulf of opinion between major industrialized countries and developing countries on how to tackle climate change. It already appears almost impossible for a post-Kyoto Protocol framework to be adopted in the Danish capital in December. The focus of attention has already shifted to whether the COP15 nations can reach a major political agreement that could lead to the adoption of a new protocol next year.
　だが、先進国と途上国の主張の隔たりは、依然として大きいのが現実である。早くも、新たな議定書の採択は絶望視されている。来年の議定書採択につながる踏み込んだ政治合意にこぎ着けられるかどうかが焦点といえる。

Moves by the United States and China hold the key to the success of the talks.
　米国と中国の動向は、その成否のカギを握るだろう。

There is concern that some developing countries are leaning toward a possible extension of the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012. The Kyoto Protocol lacks teeth as the United States has withdrawn from it and China, as a developing country, is not obliged to cut its emissions under the pact.
　懸念されるのは、途上国の間に京都議定書の延長論が浮上していることだ。米国が離脱し、中国も途上国として削減義務を負っていない京都議定書は、世界の排出量を減らす実効性を欠いている。

Hatoyama has made an international pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent without seeking the backing of the Japanese public. As a precondition for committing the nation to this target, however, he has stated that all major nations must sign on to a post-Kyoto Protocol framework.
　鳩山首相は、国内の合意がないまま、「２５％削減」を国際公約に掲げた。一方で、目標を目指す条件として、ポスト京都への「すべての主要国の参加」を挙げた。

Japan must steadfastly maintain this condition at the upcoming COP15 talks.
　日本にとって大切なのは、ＣＯＰ１５で、この条件をあくまで堅持することである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 29, 2009)
（2009年11月29日01時13分 読売新聞）