The most important policy in responding to climate change caused by global warming is a mitigation policy that aims to reduce emissions. However, considering that CO2 remains in the air for decades and even a few hundred years, even if we start to reduce emissions now, global warming is expected to continue and accelerate over the coming 100 years. Therefore, as global warming will not be avoidable for at least 50 years, the importance of adopting measures to climate change is emerging.
 
Major examples of mitigation policies are reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, development and use of renewable energy technologies, and capture and storage of greenhouse gases. These measures are aimed at a substantial reduction of greenhouse gas emissions so as to ultimately reduce climate change. For adaptation to climate change a policy is needed that focuses on the evaluation on the effect and vulnerabilities of climate change for each sector, integrated assessment for each region, and adaptation measures to minimize the negative effects of climate change. Also, in order to adapt to climate change with minimal costs, policies are needed concerning control of cooling temperature, improvement standards for design of key facilities to prepare for heavy rainfall, and response measures for new insects and epidemics.

To actively respond to global climate change, the international community established IPCC in 1988 in accordance with a United Nations resolution. In 1990 IPCC published its first assessment report, contending that density of anthropogenic greenhouse gas is increasing and that this is causing global warming. In 1992, UNEP adopted UNFCCC. The objective of UNFCCC is to stabilize the density of greenhouse gases to a level so that climate change affected by human activities does not threaten food production and sustainable development. Major contents of UNFCCC are as follows: establishment of a national strategy for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; writing and release of greenhouse gases emissions statistics, implementation of policies and measures; holding of Conference of Parties every year to discuss major issues; reducing greenhouse gases emissions to the 1990 level.