Japan declares climate emergency after netzero target

TOKYO: Japanese lawmakers yesterday declared a climate emergency in a symbolic vote aimed at increasing pressure for action to combat global warming after the government last month committed to a firm timetable for netzero emissions.

With the vote by parliament’s powerful lower chamber, Japan — the world’s fifthbiggest carbon emitter — joins fellow Group of Seven members Britain, Canada and France in similar resolutions, as well as the European Union as a bloc and nearly 2000 regional and city authorities around the world.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga last month announced Japan would aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, a major shift for the world’s thirdlargest economy which relies heavily on imported fossil fuels for its energy sources.

The emergency, nonbinding declaration cites ‘‘unprecedented damage’’ from hurricanes, flooding and forest fires, exacerbated by climate change at home and abroad, and said the world faces a ‘‘climate crisis’’.

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Yoshihisa Furukawa, head of the secretariat of a nonpartisan group of MPs behind the declaration, said the resolution was vital to show the world Japan was not lagging in the fight against global warming.

‘‘I think this can send the message to the world that Japan’s parliament and government are firmly resolved to tackle this aiming at a carbonfree society,’’ he said.