G-20 Agrees on Framework to Cut Marine Plastic Waste

Karuizawa, Nagano Pref., June 16 (Jiji Press)--The Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies on Sunday agreed to establish the first international framework to cooperate in reducing marine plastic waste. The G-20 energy and environment ministers adopted a joint statement to wrap up their two-day meeting in the central Japan resort town of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, from Saturday, in which the agreement was reached. The statement noted "recent developments highlighting concern about energy security" after Thursday's attacks on two tankers, including one operated by a Japanese company, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The document also emphasized "the importance of resilience, protection and development of reliable energy infrastructure to prevent energy supply disruptions." The G-20 ministers reaffirmed the commitments of signatories to the Paris Agreement to fully implementing the pact to fight global warming. Negotiations continued until the last minute on the wording related to the issue, over which the United States and the European Union were sharply divided. The statement stipulates the establishment of the G-20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter, within which participating countries will voluntarily take steps to prevent plastic waste from flowing into the ocean. The countries will gather to report progress of their measures regularly. The first reporting session is expected to be held in Japan around autumn. "Marine litter, especially marine plastic litter and microplastics, is a matter requiring urgent action given its adverse impacts on marine ecosystems, livelihoods and industries," the statement said. Regarding global warming, Japan did not plan to have discussions on the Paris Agreement at the Karuizawa meeting. But European participants strongly requested that the joint statement refer to the landmark deal, as they hope to toughen measures to address climate change. The commitments of the signatories were confirmed in the statement, despite opposition from the United States, which has declared its withdrawal from the pact. "As chair of the meeting, we took care not to exclude the United States even if a reference to the Paris Agreement was to be made," industry minister Hiroshige Seko told a news conference after the ministerial meeting. "It took time to make adjustments, but we've managed to include a reference to commitments including of the United States," he said. The statement also said that "renewable energy sources, such as wind, bioenergy, solar, hydro and geothermal energy, can play an important role." The G-20 ministers also acknowledged the importance of recognizing "the value of international cooperation on decommissioning of nuclear plants and final disposal of high-level radioactive waste. Japan, the United States, EU members and other countries with nuclear plants are set to hold their first meeting on the selection of final disposal sites in October in France. END