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IGES Holds International
Symposium on a "Sustainable Asia"
On 1 July, IGES convened
an international symposium entitled "Towards a Sustainable
Asia - Today's Decisions for Tomorrow's
Generations" at the Yokohama Symposia (Yokohama City). This
was held in commemoration of the publication of the IGES
white paper Sustainable Asia 2005 and Beyond - In the pursuit
of innovative policies, which summarises the present state
of environmental issues in Asia and related proposals. This
IGES white paper is a compilation of research implemented
by IGES into environmental strategies in the Asia-Pacific
region. This Japanese publication consists of additions to
the English edition (summary introduction in the February
2006 edition of the IGES newsletter), published in January
of this year. |
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| Date & Time |
Saturday, 1 July
2006, 13:30-17:00 |
| Venue |
Yokohama Symposia
(Yokohama, Japan) |
| Audience |
200 |
| Language |
English / Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation) |
| Admission |
Free |
| Organiser |
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) |
| Supporters |
Ministry of the Environment, Japan, Kanagawa Prefectural Government, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), United Nations University (UNU), Japan committee for IUCN, Kanagawa Foundation for Academic and Cultural Exchange (K-FACE) |
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| Summary |
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The venue for the symposium (open to the
public) hosted a capacity crowd of approximately 200, giving
a glimpse into the depth of concern over Asian environment
issues. Specialists active in the front lines from Japan,
the Philippines, and China were invited, and a lively discussion
was held from a global perspective based on the IGES white
paper. The discussion addressed what is occurring now in
Asia, and what can be done with an eye to realising a sustainable
Asia.
In the opening address, Prof. Akio Morishima, Chair
of the Board of Directors, IGES, identified the extreme
crisis with respect to utilisation of natural resources
in Asia and the decline of environmental quality concomitant
with the advance in population and the swift pace of economic
development. He also stressed the importance of environmental
issues in Asia, noting that "if development is not sustainable
in Asia, then sustainable global development will also
be impossible." |
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 The
keynote speech "Towards an Environmentally Co-existent
Society: the Future of Asia and the Role of Japan" was
delivered by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Member of the House
of Councillors, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, and
former Minister of the Environment, Japan. In the speech,
Ms. Kawaguchi noted recent changes in precipitation and
hours of sunlight, factors which are having an impact on
everyday life, as well as the phenomenon of yellow sand
scattering as far as Japan. Concerns were voiced from a
personal perspective regarding what can be implied in terms
of the global environment.  Further, as former Minister
of the Environment, she related episodes involving efforts
to ratify the Kyoto Protocol in various countries, indicating
that population increase and expansion in energy demand
are associated with the destruction of the global environment.
She also noted the importance of promoting a co-existent
lifestyle capable of harmony with the global environment,
as well as development of a global recycling-oriented society. |
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 Subsequently,
Mr. Hideyuki Mori, Vice-President, IGES,
held a presentation involving the details of the IGES white
paper. An explanation
was given of the various fields of climate change, forestry,
urban environment, freshwater, business, and environmental
education. Three major conclusions were then introduced,
which are summarised in the final section: (1) Efforts
are urgently needed in a number of Asian countries for
policies addressing environmental pollution and environmental
destruction; (2) In order to confront the current state
of poverty and environmental degradation in Asia, a sustainable
pattern of economic development suitable to the environment
must be continuously implemented;  (3) There is no panacea
for the promotion of sustainable development. Rather, meticulous
policy planning and the balancing of interests with respect
to the various conditions found in individual countries
is, while circuitous, in fact the most reliable policy.
Further, Prof. Hironori Hamanaka, a professor at Keio University,
added wide-ranging comments, noting the necessity of strengthening
partnerships among the many parties involved, and creating
a comprehensive synergy of education and multifaceted policies
for the purpose of ensuring sustainable development and
access to environmental information. He also touched on
the theme of economic integration, a process which is progressing
in East Asia. |
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 Then, as guest speaker, the governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, Mr.
Shigefumi Matsuzawa, stressed that "when thinking about what we can do to achieve a sustainable Asia, a global perspective is needed." With the catchphrase of "Starting
from 'MOTTAINAI'", he introduced the "My Agenda Programme" for the registration of voluntary steps aimed at global environmental conservation, which is a part of the "New Agenda 21 Kanagawa", and includes measures to promote practical action and a shared environmental mindset among Kanagawa Prefecture, business enterprises, citizens of the prefecture, and NPOs. |
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| Panel Discussion: "Towards a Sustainable Asia" |
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 In the panel discussion in the latter half of the symposium, Ms.
Charmine Koda, Director of the United Nations Information Centre, served as coordinator. On the theme of "towards a sustainable Asia", panellists gave an account of the current state of environmental issues in Asia and the most pressing issues.
 To begin, Prof. Dr. Cielito F. Habito, former Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning in the Philippines noted that "Asia is a diverse region economically, politically, and culturally, and environmental issues are in turn diverse. Accordingly, it is important to create an equitable partnership amongst municipalities, business enterprises, civil society, and NGOs, and to promote fair access to information and technical transfer." Further, reflecting from his own experience as Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning on the diversity of policies and institutional responses currently in operation in Asia, he stressed that "enforcement is critical, and we in Asia must learn from each other, must strengthen a variety of measures, and must quicken the pace."
 Dr. Ruqiu Ye, Senior Advisor, State Environmental
Protection Administration of China, reported on the current state of
pollution management in China through a variety of environmental measures,
under policies based on harmonisation of economic construction and
environmental protection. In addition he touched on the five-year plan,
spanning 2006 to 2010, introducing proactive measures with the intent
of environmental improvement by key regions and urban centres. The
plan involves 20% curbs on energy consumption, 10% reductions on the
discharge of pollutants, and restoration of forest cover. Further,
using slides, he introduced specific measures such as those in Guilin
city, where generation of methane is utilised in fruit cultivation
and other sectors of agricultural activities.
 Dr.
Shuzo Nishioka, Executive Director of the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), introduced a computerised 100-year climate simulation. He noted that we are at a crisis point in climate change, with mudslides in the Himalayas due to global warming. He stressed that "Asia holds the key with respect to global warming. The region must take the initiative and react cooperatively to face environmental problems." He stated that "China has stricter fuel efficiency standards than the USA, and in Singapore strategic urban planning has been implemented with due consideration to traffic congestion and air pollution. However, such remarkable efforts in Asia need to be studied, and as a region Asia must adopt shared targets with respect to climate issues, and develop an infrastructure accordingly."
 Next, Mr.
Yasuhiro Goto, Editorial Writer for the Nihon Keizai Shimbun,
Inc. (NIKKEI), described the role of business enterprises. He noted
three aspects to the topic of "the environment from a business perspective":
(1) Efficiency of business activities has a positive effect on the
environment; (2) In terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR),
investment is actively implemented in businesses demonstrating CSR
from an environmental perspective; (3) Business opportunities exist
based on development of environmentally-friendly products such as hybrid
cars. He indicated that "the environment is a risk from a business
perspective, as evident from the asbestos problem for example, or the
call on businesses developing globally for environmental measures overseas.
However, businesses that take proactive measures with respect to environmental
issues improve their business image, heightening brand impact. Conventionally,
the relationship between society and business, or environment and growth,
was considered a trade off. However,
with sustainability as a keyword, it is possible to forge a mutual
relationship between business and the environment, and what is now
called for is the very practical realisation of such."
 On hearing these reports, IGES Chair of the Board of Directors, Prof.
Akio Morishima pointed out that "discussions have been held from the standpoint of Europe and the United States regarding global issues such as the environment. Such discussions have dealt realistically with the kind of lifestyle that is needed on behalf of subsequent generations, transcending the perspectives of the developed and developing nations, governments, civilians, and NGOs. Yet the voice of Asia needs to be heard from Asia." Further, he renewed the emphasis that "At IGES, policy dialogues have been held in various Asian nations with respect to the future climate regime beyond 2012. However, in Asia, which lacks the kinds of cooperative framework seen in Europe, it is important to proceed as such beginning from what can be done." |
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 In this exchange of opinions, lively discussions were held and practical examples were raised, including business measures and activities by regions in Japan, the Philippines, and China, with respect to the sort of cooperation that is necessary in the Asian region, an area currently facing pressing environmental issues. Through this debate, the need was stressed for regional cooperation, and technological transfer or support for environmental measures for small and medium-sized enterprises and small-scale producers in Asia. Finally, the coordinator of the symposium, Ms. Koda, concluded the meeting by summarising the shared recognition regarding the urgent need to forge partnerships among municipalities, businesses, civil society, and NGOs. |
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