CHIBA — Energy and environment ministers from 20 top emitters of carbon dioxide kicked off a discussion Saturday to explore the creation of an international framework for fighting global warming to succeed the Kyoto Protocol.
With Japan hosting the Group of Eight Summit to be held in Toyako, Hokkaido, in July, trade minister Akira Amari and environment minister Ichiro Kamoshita have been tasked with securing the groundwork for a climate-protecting agenda that can bring all countries on board.
"It is crucial that we create a framework that all major greenhouse gas emitting countries take part in," Kamoshita said in opening the meeting, which is known as the G8 Gleneagles Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development. The meeting ends Sunday.