CAN Japan criticises weakening climate commitments and leadership

Climate Action Network Japan (CAN-Japan) has criticised the outcome of the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting, calling it an “abandonment of climate leadership” that significantly undermines global climate efforts ahead of the COP30 summit.

In a statement released earlier this week, the environmental network condemned the G7 for failing to advance climate action at the meeting, which concluded in Toronto on 1 November. CAN-Japan stated that the group has “greatly rolled back the commitments that the G7 has built up” in previous years, such as phasing out fossil fuels and decarbonising the power sector by 2035.

Instead of strengthening these commitments, the meeting’s chair summary emphasised the security of natural gas supplies and promoted nuclear and unproven fusion energy. This shift in focus occurred despite the COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, a commitment the G7 itself reaffirmed at its Apulia summit last year.

This is a critical time for international climate negotiations. On 15 October, the World Meteorological Organization reported that major greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached record highs, with carbon dioxide concentrations now 52% above pre-industrial levels. Following the report, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged nations for stronger national plans to limit warming to 1.5°C.

CAN-Japan also noted that Japan’s Takaichi administration failed to lead the climate discussion, despite its slogan of “Restoring Japanese diplomacy that flourishes in the centre of the world.” While expressing deep disappointment with the G7, the network suggested that the failure of leadership could galvanise other actors. It stated its belief that the outcome may spur these countries and non-state actors to strengthen their efforts, referencing the Action Agenda discussions planned for COP30 involving cities, businesses and civil society.

The urgency of the climate crisis was further highlighted by a 29 October World Health Organization report, which found that the rate of heat-related mortality has risen 23% since the 1990s, averaging about 546,000 deaths a year, and that heat exposure caused 640 billion potential labour hours to be lost in 2024. This represents significant labour and economic losses.

CAN-Japan concluded its statement with a direct call for the G7 to recognise the historical responsibility for causing climate change and recover the leadership it has abandoned. The group’s critique frames the Toronto meeting as a serious dereliction of duty by the world’s advanced economies, placing greater pressure on other nations and non-state actors to drive progress at COP30.