METI Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry of : Japan and the Philippines Concluded an Agreement to Establish a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

On January 12, 2017 (same date local time), in the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Mr. Kazuhide Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of the Philippines, and H.E. Ms. Regina Paz L. Lopez, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippines, agreed to establish a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) between Japan and the Philippines, and concluded a bilateral document concerning the operation of the mechanism.

With the conclusion of this document, the Philippines became Japan's 17th JCM partner. Through the JCM, both countries will further strengthen cooperation in the fields of the environment and energy.

1. Japan-Philippines agreement to establish a JCM

On January 12, 2017, in Manila, the Philippines, Japan and the Philippines concluded a bilateral document concerning the JCM, which was signed by Ambassador Ishikawa and Secretary Lopez.

The countries will establish a joint committee and launch the operation of the JCM. Under this mechanism, Japan will implement various projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Philippines through the utilization of Japan's outstanding low-carbon technology. Through the mechanism, Japan will contribute not only to the Philippines' environmental, energy and economic growth but also to international efforts to prevent climate change.

2. Outline of the bilateral document

The outline of the bilateral document is as follows. For the original text, see the Appendices.

• To promote the low-carbon-growth partnership between Japan and the Philippines, the sides will establish a JCM and will establish a joint committee to operate the JCM.
• Both sides mutually recognize that verified reductions or removals from the mitigation projects under the JCM can be used as a part of their own internationally pledged greenhouse gas mitigation efforts.
• Both sides will ensure the transparency and quality of emission reduction data of the JCM, and neither side will use the mitigation projects registered under the JCM for the purpose in any other international mechanisms of emission mitigation.

Reference: The Joint Crediting Mechanism:
The Joint Crediting Mechanism offers a means of achieving Japan's reduction targets by quantitatively evaluating Japan's contribution to greenhouse gas emission reductions and removal through efforts to facilitate the spread of greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies, products, systems, services, and infrastructure to developing countries, as well as promoting associated measures. This Japan-Philippines partnership will be the 17th partnership, following the JCM establishment with 16 partner countries of Mongolia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Maldives, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Palau, Cambodia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Myanmar and Thailand.

Appendix

Release date

January 12, 2017

Division in Charge

Global Environment Partnership Office, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau