"The spread of the new coronavirus has slowed economic activity around the world, but it has little impact on greenhouse gas reductions," said



UNEP, the United Nations Environment Program, which is in charge of cooperating on environmental issues at the United Nations. I have put together a book.

How can we curb greenhouse gases, which continue to hit record highs?

We talked to the top of UNEP, who compiled the report.



(International Broadcasting Station, Mitsuko Nishikawa)

Mr. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, spoke to us.

An economist from Denmark specializing in international development and environmental issues.


For many years, the United Nations and the World Bank have been looking at measures to deal with climate change.

Although it temporarily decreased due to the corona wreck ...

(Reporter)


Did you mean that economic activity stopped all over the world, but there was no reduction effect?



(Secretary-General Andersen)


Greenhouse gas emissions decreased sharply during the period when each country was taking strict measures such as lockdown to counter the new coronavirus.

As a result, this is expected to decrease by about 7% compared to last year.



However, in order to keep the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to before the Industrial Revolution, we must continue to reduce this level every year.

70% of greenhouse gases are emitted from G20 = 20 major countries including Japan.



These countries are not the case now without doing anything.

Steady action to "substantially zero"

(Reporter)


What do you think about the Japanese government's statement that it will "zero greenhouse gas emissions as a whole by 2050"?



(Secretary General Andersen)


It is very encouraging to have announced a policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to virtually zero.

More than 120 countries have made similar statements, but it is necessary for each country to plan and act on a yearly basis as to how to implement it in order to achieve results by 2050.



As long as Japan has set its goals, it has a great responsibility to take action steadily.

(Reporter)


Japan depends on coal-fired power generation because of its scarce energy resources.



(Secretary-General Andersen) The


United Nations has consistently argued that coal-fired power plants should be categorically eliminated.

This is a message not only to Japan but to the world.



Japan has also set a high goal of "substantially zero," so we should move away from coal-fired power.

Efforts around the world ... but the crisis is there

(Reporter)


What measures are you taking to reduce greenhouse gases in other countries?



(Secretary General Andersen) In the


United Kingdom, we have invested a large amount of money to increase the use of bicycles, and have developed bicycle lanes and safe intersections.



In France, airlines are significantly reducing short-haul flights at the request of the government.

Instead, the government is calling for trains and buses.



In addition, Nigeria in Africa has made significant investments in the spread of solar panels, and Senegal has reduced taxes on imports of renewable energy components.

(Reporter)


How much time is left to stop the crisis of global warming?



(Secretary General Andersen)


Severe storms, unseen floods, rapidly melting glaciers ... the crisis is real.

If we don't act now, the world will change from the ground up.



If you want to leave the earth for children, I would like you to keep in mind that "substantially zero" efforts are indispensable.



Now, with the spread of the new coronavirus infection, each country is spending its budget and launching various economic stimulus measures.

Instead of leaving a lot of debt and a broken earth for the next generation, we must accept the beautiful earth.



We should still be able to do that.