[Pre-COP29 Study Session by Environment Ministry Negotiators] Seminar Archive Video & Materials Now Available!

Archive Video from Study Session for Media Held on Tuesday, October 29, Prior to COP29

“Hear from the Environment Ministry Negotiators” Study Session for Media to Prepare for COP29 ~Climate Change / Biodiversity / Plastics from the Site of Three International Negotiations~

<Outline>
From mid-October to early December, three major international conferences were held, marking crucial phases in determining international environmental measures:

Convention on Biological Diversity COP16: October 21 – November 1, 2024, Cali, Colombia
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP29: November 11-22, 2024, Baku, Azerbaijan
Plastics Convention, Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5): November 25 – December 1, 2024, Busan, South Korea

At the pre-COP29 study session for media held on October 29, negotiators from the Ministry of Environment presented preliminary information about these international conferences, offering insights from the negotiation frontlines to assist with coverage and reporting.We are now releasing the seminar archive and materials used by the speakers.

Although these international conferences have concluded, the lectures include various perspectives on communicating global trends to citizens in accessible ways. We would be grateful if you could please use this as a reference in the future.

Video Archive:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qckS4c-DkOf6tDbApsaGPoIo0DuoAF77/

Lecture Contents:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ye1dsIcQT2U53YSnc53L8X2a_OUHnvkA

 

① COP29 on Climate Change (Mr. Konuma)

Mr. Konuma introduced COP29’s schedule and key discussion points such as “climate finance,” reviewing COP history and explaining Japan’s positions on various issues. Regarding media coverage, Mr. Konuma, speaking from his unique perspective as a negotiator present at the conference, mentioned that he ‘hopes to raise interest in COP by reporting from various angles,’ taking into account not only the ‘negotiation’ aspect but also the technologies and initiatives for climate change solutions showcased at various country pavilions, as well as the presence of many stakeholders including NGOs on site.

Lecture Materials: Climate Change Framework Convention COP29 Materials.pdf

<Nobuyuki Konuma> Director, Office of Climate Change Negotiations Office, Global Environment Bureau
Joined the Ministry of the Environment in 2002. Engaged in administrative work such as climate change countermeasures, water and air environment conservation, and waste management. After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in 2011, he contributed to the establishment of the Nuclear Regulation Authority in the Cabinet Secretariat. After that, he worked at the Ministry of the Environment, devoting himself to work related to the reconstruction of Fukushima, such as the development of intermediate storage facilities for soil generated by decontamination. Former Director of the Public Relations, Ministry of the Environment. In his current position since July 2024.

② COP16 on Biodiversity (Ms. Hamashima)

The Convention on Biological Diversity is known as the ‘twin convention’ to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Based on the overview of the ‘Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’ adopted at the previous COP15, she explained the key points of CBD COP16 being held in November. While touching upon the serious current situation surrounding biodiversity both domestically and internationally, Ms. Hamashima introduced the different communication patterns that she uses in her lectures – ‘conveying facts’ and ‘appealing to emotions.’ It was a lecture filled with hints about the knowledge and communication methods needed to spread awareness of this issue.

Lecture Materials: Convention on Biological Diversity COP16 Materials.pdf

<Naoko Hamashima> Director of the Public Relations Office, Minister’s Secretariat
Joined the Ministry of the Environment in 2003. She was involved in the design of carbon tax systems, supporting local governments in combating global warming, compensation for health damage caused by pollution, and decontamination of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Seconded to Chiba University of Commerce in 2020 to lecture on environment and energy. Director of Biodiversity Mainstreaming Office from August 2022. Participated as a negotiator in the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022. Current position from July 2024.

③ Marine Plastics Convention INC.

They provided a comprehensive overview of the “Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC5)” on the international treaty addressing plastic pollution, including both domestic and international pollution situations, as well as the process from treaty adoption to entry into force. As concerns grow over chemical substances in plastics and microplastic issues, they explained both the points of agreement and disagreement among countries in these negotiations, taking into account the need to review the ‘entire lifecycle’ of plastics, including not only ‘environmental impact’ but also production volume and raw material regulations.

Lecture Materials: INC Materials.pdf

<Naoki Nakayama>Director, Office of Policies against Marine Plastics Pollution
Joined the Ministry of the Environment in 2004. He has been involved in the protection and management of national parks and wildlife, management of World Natural Heritage sites, and international affairs such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Nagoya Protocol, and the Ramsar Convention. After serving as Director of the Daisen-Oki National Park Management Office and Director of the Nature Conservation Division of Kagoshima Prefecture, he has been in this position since May 2024.

<Yusuke Inoue> Director of the Containers, Packaging and Plastics Resource Recycling Office, Environmental Regeneration and Resource Recycling Bureau
Joined the Ministry of the Environment in 2003. Has been involved in environmental conservation, environmental taxation, climate change policy, resource circulation, etc. He has served in various positions, including the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, Director of Environmental Monitoring in Kitakyushu City, and Director of the Carbon-Free Lifestyle Promotion Office at the Ministry of the Environment. Current position from April 2024.

 

■ Co-organized by: the Japanese Forum of Environmental Journalists (JFEJ)
JFEJ has a team of journalists of newspaper, TV, and magazine, as well as editors from publishing companies and freelance writers. It aims to learn more about environmental issues and promote interaction between journalists by inviting experts in various fields to hold study sessions.
Website: http://jfej.org/

■ Host: MEDIA IS HOPE Inc.
Media is Hope is an organization that provides various support to strengthen the media coverage of climate change, based on the belief that correct knowledge of climate change is the first step to create a common awareness in Japan and to promote behavioral change in order to realize a society that can solve climate change. With the vision of “media creators and consumers alike taking responsibility for cultivating fair and impartial free media and a sustainable society, ” the organization serves as a bridge for media, citizens, corporations, and all stakeholders to build a co-creative relationship in order to achieve essential solutions to climate change. In addition, the organization operates the Climate Media Initiative, a media collaboration platform that transcends media outlets and affiliations.

Media is Hope also provide spaces for various stakeholders to connect and co-create, such as by hosting the Climate Change Media Symposium, where media professionals, international organizations such as the United Nations, experts, practitioners, citizens and young people discuss the type of reporting required to solve climate change, and “Let’s Make It Together! Renewable Energy Day” supported by the Ministry of the Environment.
Website：http://media-is-hope.org