The FINANCIAL — ICC, the institutional representative of 45 million companies – has welcomed today’s announcement by newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, committing Japan to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Commenting on the announcement, ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said:
“I commend Prime Minister Suga for this concrete commitment to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. As the third largest economy and the fifth largest emitter of CO2, this announcement, just weeks ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the 2020 G20 Leaders Summit, represents a remarkable show of leadership at a critical moment that can help put the world on track to a sustainable and inclusive future.”
Calling for government and business leaders to follow Japan’s example, Mr Denton said:
“We need more commitments of this kind from governments, business and indeed all stakeholders, if we are to achieve our collective goals for addressing climate change urgently. I call on governments and business leaders globally to take action now to seriously curb carbon emissions.”
A proponent for companies to seize the opportunity of aligning with a net-zero future and driving the transition to a net-zero carbon economy, ICC continues to help businesses put sustainability at the heart of their operations via pioneering initiatives such as GIST SME360X, the ICC Carbon Council, the Chambers Climate Coalition and, most recently, the SME Climate Hub, launched in September at the United Nations General Assembly with partners Exponential Roadmap, We Mean Business and the United Nations Race to Zero.
