As environmental pollution and climate change became a matter of global concern, environmental issues were highlighted and many environmental related international conventions were concluded. The rise of global environmental problems led to the realiz ...
As environmental pollution and climate change became a matter of global concern, environmental issues were highlighted and many environmental related international conventions were concluded. The rise of global environmental problems led to the realization of trade and environmental issues centering on the WTO. For example, developed countries have introduced various environmental regulations, such as clean production and the solution of climate change problems. Developing countries have been strongly opposed to the emergence of new non-tariff trade barriers linked to the environment under the global recession. And the fear is expressed in the international society. On the other hand, both sides realize that global warming caused by environmental pollution is the biggest problem that can not be avoided. However, realistic view is that green protectionism centering on developed countries puts climate change response and environmental policy on the surface, The government is expanding the scope of its measures to restrict companies' access to their own markets and to secure competitiveness in the environmental sector of their own companies. In this background, the commitment period for greenhouse gas reductions based on the Kyoto Protocol in 2005 expired at the end of 2012, but the delegates from all over the world did not find a consensus on the process and made the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol But agreed to extend it by 2020.
However, at the COP21 meeting of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Climate Change held in Paris, France, the Paris Convention was adopted as a substitute for the existing Kyoto Protocol regime, which is due to expire in 2020. According to this, the obligation imposed on former developed countries will be imposed on all 195 Parties, and Korea, which was classified as a developing country, will be required to change its industry as a whole.
The Paris Agreement will come into effect when it meets the criteria for ratification by a country with 55% or more of total global GHG emissions in more than 55 countries. On November 4, 2016, major nations, including the United States, Europe, China and India, formally ratified the Paris Agreement, and each country is in a position to make every effort to respond to specific policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, President Trump declared that he would not comply with the Paris Convention on June 1, 2017. Despite the criticism and concerns of each country, major countries around the world are trying to respond quickly. For example, China's Shi Xingping recently announced at the World Environment Ministers' Meeting in Beijing that China intends to strengthen its global leadership in dealing with climate change by declaring that China will be reborn as a clean energy country.
Since the Paris Treaty, Japan has established a policy of achieving the INDC promised by Japan and achieving sustainable economic growth together. Through this, it is aimed to enhance the productivity of enterprises and strengthen foreign competitiveness, thereby aiming at the new growth of the Japanese economy in the long-term recession and solidifying its global position by utilizing environmental technologies.
To summarize the responses of these major countries to climate change, it can be said that they are actively responding at the national level such as institutions, policies and laws. Therefore, it is necessary to continually analyze and identify trends and changes in response policies of major countries in the future. Because policy responses to the implementation of the leading Paris Convention at this point are likely to weaken the international competitiveness of industry. But, the other hand, it should not be forgotten that opportunities for more active investment in environmentally friendly technologies such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, rechargeable batteries, and smart grid related technologies can be utilized.