The meeting was co-chaired by Yutaka Matsuzawa, Japan’s Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, and Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Climate Action. Both sides reiterated their dedication to upholding the Paris Agreement and advancing global climate action, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the 1.5°C target despite shifting international circumstances, including the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement.

Japan and the EU also committed to supporting the success of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and pledged to promote global decarbonization efforts through international platforms such as the G7 and G20, as well as through third-country cooperation. Discussions covered key areas of climate policy, including carbon pricing, the carbon border adjustment mechanism, decarbonization technologies, sustainable finance, and satellite applications. Both parties affirmed their intent to support each other in achieving their climate neutrality objectives.

Achieving climate neutrality and addressing climate-related challenges require a comprehensive and coordinated approach at both national and international levels. Strong policy frameworks, technological innovation, and financial mechanisms play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy. International cooperation remains essential in ensuring the effectiveness of climate policies, particularly through commitments to global agreements such as the Paris Agreement. Implementing measures such as carbon pricing, sustainable finance, and the development of decarbonization technologies can drive significant progress in reducing emissions. Additionally, leveraging advanced monitoring tools, including satellite technology, enhances climate data accuracy and supports informed decision-making.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris on December 12, 2015. It aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with efforts to keep it below 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. The agreement requires all participating countries to set nationally determined contributions (NDCs), outlining their plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

A key feature of the Paris Agreement is its bottom-up approach, where countries set their own climate targets rather than adhering to a single global mandate. However, it includes a transparency framework to track progress and ensure accountability. The agreement also emphasizes financial and technological support for developing nations, recognizing their unique challenges in combating climate change. Despite being widely supported, the agreement faced challenges, such as the temporary withdrawal of the United States under the Trump administration, later reversed under President Biden.