The EU and Japan agree to cooperate in the fight against climate change

The European Union (EU) and Japan signed an agreement on Thursday to cooperate in the fight against climate change, during the summit they held today virtually.

With this agreement, Brussels and Tokyo want to intensify their collaboration in industrial decarbonization and the development of renewable technologies, such as offshore wind, hydrogen or battery manufacturing, as well as boost sustainable finance with the issuance of green bonds.

“The EU-Japan Green Alliance is an important milestone (…) that will boost cooperation in many areas, such as energy transition, business, innovation, environmental protection or sustainable finance,” said the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, at the end of the meeting.

The EU and Japan have set themselves the goal of being climate neutral by 2050, so that they are able to absorb the tons of _CO2 they emit into the atmosphere.

“Like the EU, they are very committed to long-term goals” in the fight against climate change, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, who along with Michel represented the Twenty-Seven at the summit, told Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

“It will be interesting to see what goal Japan sets for 2030,” said the president of the Eu Executive, referring to the goal that the EU has set itself of reducing its emissions by 55% by that year, compared to 1990.

Von der Leyen said that with their alliance, Brussels and Tokyo also want to “inspire other (countries) to unite” in the fight against climate change, thinking about COPS 26 to be held in November in Glasgow (United Kingdom).

Source: EuroEFE