Japan must make earnest efforts to combat global warming

Japan Press Weekly

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Japan must make earnest efforts to combat global warming

Akahata editorial

The government Global Warming Prevention Headquarters chaired by Prime Minister Aso Taro has decided to carry out the emissions trading scheme within the country on a trial basis with a view to putting it into practice next year.

The emissions trading scheme, introduced in 2005 by the European Union (EU), is aimed at playing a role in cutting carbon dioxide emissions. However, what the Japanese government plans to introduce is very different from the EU scheme, which has proven to be effective. The prevention of global warming is a challenge that does not allow any delay. The government must address the issue in earnest without deceptive posturing.

A sham system

The emissions trading scheme that has been adopted by EU and other countries is known as the “cap-and-trade” approach. It requires each company to hold the amount of its CO2 emissions below the upper limit set by the government. Companies that are unable to fulfill the requirement will pay for the amounts in excess in the form of purchasing from companies that have successfully held emissions below the ceiling.

The Japanese government plan does not obligate companies to cut CO2 emissions. Companies are not obligated to participate in the scheme. They will “voluntarily” set their respective targets for emissions cuts and are allowed to sell any excess emissions. Failure to achieve a goal will not result in any form of penalty.

Japan’s emissions trading scheme allows companies to set a target for cutting CO2 emissions per production volume (unit) as well as set their own target for an increase in emissions associated with an increase in production volume. The emissions trading without a cap cannot be effective for cutting CO2 emissions. It gives companies a new approach to increase profits.

This new scheme reflects the government’s submission to the demand that it respect corporations’ “autonomous” approach.

Emissions trading is meaningful only if it is linked to political will and targets to cut CO2 emissions in a country or region. Without setting a national emission target, it is meaningless.

Although the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol started this year, Japan has not taken effective measures to achieve its goal for curbing emissions by 6 percent from the 1990 figure. It is keeping a wait-and-see attitude without setting a mid-term goal toward the 14th Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled for the end of this year.

It is likely that the financial crisis that started in the U.S. will lead to a worldwide economic recession, making it harder for corporations to voluntarily promote costly measures against global warming.

Even in such a situation, the British government has announced that it will increase its long-term target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent from the 1990 figure by 2050. The EU at its summit meeting confirmed a plan to reach an official agreement within this year to set a mid-term goal for reducing emissions by 20 percent from the 1990 figure by 2020.

For genuine measures

In its House of Representatives general election policy, the Japanese Communist Party states that Japan should (1) immediately set mid- and long-term goals of reducing emissions, (2) conclude a public treaty requiring industries to curb their emissions, (3) increase the goal of development and use of natural energy resources, (4) establish a law to set measures against global warming national strategy and require the government to enforce it.

We can no longer entrust the Liberal Democratic Party-Komei Party coalition to manage this issue. - Akahata, October 22, 2008