Decision

6 February 2023: Meeting with Civil Society under Chapter 16 (Trade and Sustainable Development) of UK-Japan CEPA – joint minutes

Updated 3 May 2024

The first meeting of Joint Dialogue with Civil Society under Chapter 16 (Trade and Sustainable Development, “TSD”) of UK-Japan CEPA took place on 6 February 2023 via video conference.

The participants from the Japanese and the UK governments had an open dialogue with civil society organisations of Japan and the UK, with a Japanese government official as a moderator. The list of the civil society organisations and the meeting agenda are attached as annexes.

The moderator began with opening remarks to welcome all attendees.

The Japanese co-chair of the TSD Committee summarised previous meetings.

Japan and the UK discussed how to operate and organise the Joint Dialogue with Civil Society in a way that encourages productive and interactive dialogue. The full list of TSD Panel of Experts was adopted.

Regarding the session on Trade and Environment and Climate, Japan provided an update on their implementation of the environment and climate aspects of the TSD Chapter including COP27, biodiversity and plastics measures. The UK presented updates on the UK’s due diligence legislation to tackle illegal deforestation in UK supply chains, their Net Zero Strategy (published in 2022), and shared lessons learnt through developing its offshore wind market.

Regarding the session on Trade and Labour, both Japan and the UK provided an update on their respective ILO Convention ratifications, including the ILO Fundamental Conventions. Japan also gave a presentation on the recent development of “Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains” which was published in September 2022.

The Japanese co-chair of the Committee also mentioned that Japan and UK officials were looking forward to civil society’s valuable input in this dialogue and expected that the discussions would be beneficial for UK and Japanese officials as well as for civil society organisations (CSOs).

Trade and environment, including trade and climate action

Japan’s civil society pointed out the phase-down of fossil fuels, options for future fuel sources, and the role of ammonia in the carbon transition process, particularly for developing countries. Civil society from Japan and the UK shared views on carbon pricing and emissions trading schemes including Japan’s GX League and the importance of effective methodologies for measurement.

They also discussed the role of digitalisation within the carbon transition and the potential role of a UK-Japan innovation network. Japanese civil society emphasised importance of using currently available technologies such as renewable energy technology and electric vehicles. Efforts to support other regions, including the global south, were recognised as important.

Some civil society organisations from both sides supported the resumption of negotiations of a WTO Environmental Goods Agreement, with one UK civil society calling for the Japanese and UK governments to make a list of environmental goods and services within CEPA.

A UK civil society organisation asked if the Japanese and UK governments were cooperating on fisheries subsidies and sustainable forest management. The UK and Japanese government officials shared their observations on cooperation activities under the TSD Chapter of the CEPA as well as under multilateral forum including the WTO.

Trade and labour

The UK’s civil society explained current domestic labour legislation in the UK and the ratification and implementation of the ILO Conventions. Japan’s civil society presented on Japan’s ratification and implementation of the ILO Conventions and highlighted that continued and sustained efforts to pursue ratification of the fundamental ILO Conventions are included in the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which was launched in Japan.

The UK civil society presented its views on social sustainability in global supply chains, with the UK government highlighting the transparency approach that the UK takes to tackling modern slavery in global supply chains. Both the UK and Japanese government officials addressed points on recent labour legislation made by both civil societies and noted the importance of the ratification and implementation of the ILO Conventions.

Closing remarks

The UK’s co-chair welcomed the first meeting of Joint Dialogue with Civil Society, noting that comments received from civil society were constructive and would provide helpful inputs to the government’s implementation and cooperation under the TSD chapter.

Japan-UK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Trade and Sustainable Development 1st Joint Dialogue with Civil Society

6 February 2023

Venue: virtual meeting

Agenda

1. Opening remarks by the moderator

2. Statement by the Government of Japan and UK

3. Introduction by the participants of the Civil Societies

4. Trade and environment, including trade and climate action

Topics for discussion:

• evaluation of COP 27 and Prospects for COP28

  • technology transfer mechanisms included in the COP27 Implementation Plan

  • climate finance and implementation of Article 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement

• net zero transition plan
• environmental goods and service including the use of environmental goods list

5. Trade and labour   

Topics for discussion:

• progress and challenges for ratification of unratified fundamental ILO Conventions
• social sustainability within global supply chains including compliance with international standards and public awareness campaigns

Japan-UK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Trade and Sustainable Development 1st Joint Dialogue with Civil Society

6 February 2023

List of participating civil society organisations

UK:

• techUK

• Queen’s University Belfast

• Trade and Public Policy Network

• TheCityUK

• National Farmers’ Union

• Trades Union Congress

• University of Sheffield

• British Exporters Association

• UK Chamber of Shipping

• UK Fashion and Textiles Association

Japan:

• members of Central Environment Council (DAG) / WWF Japan

• members of Labour Policy Council (DAG)

• Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN)

• Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK

• Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society（JACSES）

• Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC-RENGO)