Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Sunday that his country will lead international efforts to combat climate change, in comments on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
"Addressing climate change is not a constraint on economic growth," said Suga, adding that Japan will lead international society in realizing a "decarbonized world."
“Global environmental issues are urgent challenges that the international community should address," he noted.
Suhar stressed that the G20 leaders need to take the lead and work together as a team…"for this great mission of Safeguarding the Planet."
"Japan will take the initiative while continuing further collaboration with other countries.”
Japanese lawmakers on Thursday declared a climate emergency in a symbolic vote aimed at increasing pressure for action to combat global warming, after Japan last month committed to its firm timetable for net-zero emissions.
With the vote, Japan - the world's fifth-biggest carbon emitter - joins Britain, Canada and France in similar resolutions, as well as the European Union as a bloc and nearly 2,000 regional and city authorities around the world.
