2015 was a historic year for global action against climate change, culminating with 196 countries coming together in Paris to strike a new climate agreement. But much work remains to be done, and in 2016 the world faces an immediate and difficult question: Will countries continue to build on the progress that has been made, or will they slip into complacency now that the bright spotlight of Paris has dimmed?
The White House has made it clear that President Barack Obama sees fighting climate change as a top international priority this year, and Japan is well-positioned to be a leading partner in this effort. In particular, Japan can use its position as host of the Group of Seven in May to ensure the climate issue is on the agenda at the summit.
The above excerpt was originally published in Nikkei Asian Review.
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