Japan's prime minister in waiting, Yukio Hatoyama, has given climate change talks the kick they so sorely needed. His promise to uphold an election campaign pledge to cut carbon emissions by a quarter from 1990 levels by 2020 puts life back into a process that was in danger of being doomed. Important details were not given, but the fact that a leading developed economy is prepared to strive for so ambitious a goal is important. A message has been sent to other leaders that they must also put forward meaningful reductions when they meet in Copenhagen in December to put in place a successor pact to the Kyoto Protocol.
Until Hatoyama's reiteration, only European Union nations had put forward definitive targets; they have agreed on a 20 per cent cut in emissions from 1990 levels. The world's biggest per capita polluter, the US, has caused disquiet among scientists and environmentalists by planning a 17 per cent reduction based on 2005 amounts. Leading developing countries China, India and Brazil contend that the onus should be less on them than the rich nations which they blame for the world's predicament. Beijing wants the West to aim for a 40 per cent cut on 1990 levels by 2020 and for wealthy governments to commit between 0.5 per cent and 1 per cent of GDP to a fund to help fight global warming.
Which nations should share the burden is proving the toughest part of preparatory negotiations for Copenhagen. Only 37 countries were governed by the 1997 Kyoto pact. That few are meeting their targets shows a different approach is needed. The successor treaty will be doomed without concerted global commitment. China is portrayed by the West as putting economic development ahead of the environment. But the central government is clearly aware of the need to combat global warming. Determination alone is not enough, though. Nations have to work together to stop temperatures rising.
Hatoyama has made a valuable contribution to the debate. His commitment gives cause for other nations to rethink their positions. With just three months remaining before the summit, there is no better time for reappraisal. Much-needed leadership has been given.