【Symposium】Climate Justice Now! Japan's Role Towards Achieving a Just and Equitable Transition in Asia Pacific
The climate crisis is getting more severe day by day. In March 2024, the WMO reported that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the world’s average near-surface temperature rising 1.45℃ above pre-industrial levels. On the other hand, at COP28, the parties agreed to “Transition from fossil fuels". While this is historic, realizing this goal is not easy. “Just Transition" – how to move away from fossil without leaving behind the workers, communities, and people who have been marginalized in current society – is now drawing much attention.
The experts and activists from Asian Pacific countries will share their experiences and insights on loss and damage in their countries, the challenges of so-called “false climate solutions", and the Just Transition.
Date & Venue
[Date] July 20th Saturday 2024, 2:00pm-5:30pm (Door open 1:30 pm)
[Venue] Hosei University, Ichigaya Campus, Sotobori Building, S406
(Address) 2-17-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8160 Map is here
Programme
*Spontaneous interpretation is available through the programme.
MC: Akiko Yoshida, Climate change campaigner at FoE Japan
Welcome addresses
Professor Diana Khor, University of Hosei
Hemantha Withanage, Chair of FoE International
2:00 – 3:00 pm 1st Session “The Loss and Damage caused by climate change in Asia Pacific region”
Th parties to the Paris Agreement committed to limit the rise in global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, even with an increase of 1.1°C, severe climate disasters occur in many places. What is happening in Asian-Pacific communities? We will hear from the front lines. (Moderator: Theiva Lingam, Legal advisor of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (FoE Malaysia))
- The Loss and Damage in Bangladesh …Syeda Rizwana Hasan / Chief Executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA)
- Devastating Impact of Climate change in Papua New Guinea…Vicky Amoko / Senior Litigation Lawyer of Centre For Environmental Law and Community Rights Inc. (FoE PNG)
- Climate Impact in Indonesia…Zenzi Suhadi / Executive Director of Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (FoE Indonesia)
3:10- 4:20 pm 2nd Session “Under the name of Climate Solutions ~False solutions in our regions~”
At COP28, parties agreed to “Transition away from fossil fuels". However, climate false solutions have been pushed forward in the name of climate change measures that continue the use of fossil fuels and create new environmental and social problems. What kind of measures are “false climate solutions"? (Moderator: Lise Masson, Co-Coordinator of International Program (Climate Justice and Energy) at FoE International)
- Fossil Fuel Extraction in Asia-Pacific Region…Bareesh Chowdhury/ Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BERA)
- Plastic Waste and How it is connected to Climate Crisis …Chalani Rubesinghe, Project Planning and Management officer of Center for Environmental Justice (FoE Srilanka) and Hyein Yu, campaigner of Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM, FoE Korea)
- The challenge of Japanese Green Transformation Strategy …Ayumi Fukakusa, Deputy Executive Director and Campaigner of FoE Japan
- Implications of carbon markets on indigenous customary territories in Malaysia…Shamila Ariffin,Senior Researcher and Media officer of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (FoE Malaysia)
- Q&A
4:30〜5:30 pm Panel Discussion “The Real Just Transition ~What Japan can do for the Real Just Transition in Asia Pacific?~”
“What actions have you taken for Just Transition?" “What does the Just Transition mean for us?" and “What can Japan do/facilitate for the Real Just Transition in Asia Pacific? " In this session, we will discuss the Just Transition people want and what Japan can do to realize it. (Moderator: Yuri Onodera, Advisor of FoE Japan)
Panelists
- Hemantha Withanage, Chair of FoE International / Cetter (FoE SriLanka)
- Mai Taqueban, Executive Director of Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (FoE Philippines)
- Rasha Abu Dayyeh, Head of advocacy unit of PENGON (FoE Palestine)
- Vijayan MJ, Executive Committee member of FoE India
- Chloe Aldenhoven, Campaigns coordinator of FoE Australia
- Hanae Takahamashi, Climate Change and Energy campaigner at FoE Japan
Hosted by
FoE Japan, Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific, Hosei University Faculty of Intercultural Communication (as FIC open seminars)
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the symposium, please get in touch with us here.