June 3 and 4, 2015
The Abe government on June 2 approved its draft target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26% from the 2013 level by 2030. While promoting generation of electricity from nuclear power and coal-fired power stations, it showed a negative stance toward promoting the use of solar and wind power.
On the same day, Kiko Network, an environmental NGO, issued a statement criticizing the draft target as totally insufficient.
The statement points out that the government target is roughly equivalent to only an 18% cut from the 1990 level. It criticizes the government for shifting the base year to 2013 with the aim of making its reduction target look greater.
“The draft target is quite insufficient. It gives the impression that Japan has no intent to fulfill its responsibility as the world’s fifth largest GHG emitter,” the statement expresses.
The NGO in the statement demanded that the government set a goal of cutting GHG emissions to at least 40% below the 1990 level, which is a 36% cut from the 2013 level. The statement argues that this ambitious goal can be achieved by ending Japan’s dependence on nuclear power generation and by establishing an energy mix centering on renewable energy sources.
The government will finalize the draft target after a month of supposed public input and submit it to the United Nations.
Past related articles:
> Japan’s new target for cutting GHG emissions is too low [May 6, 2015]
> Japan should step up efforts against climate change [December 15, 2014]
On the same day, Kiko Network, an environmental NGO, issued a statement criticizing the draft target as totally insufficient.
The statement points out that the government target is roughly equivalent to only an 18% cut from the 1990 level. It criticizes the government for shifting the base year to 2013 with the aim of making its reduction target look greater.
“The draft target is quite insufficient. It gives the impression that Japan has no intent to fulfill its responsibility as the world’s fifth largest GHG emitter,” the statement expresses.
The NGO in the statement demanded that the government set a goal of cutting GHG emissions to at least 40% below the 1990 level, which is a 36% cut from the 2013 level. The statement argues that this ambitious goal can be achieved by ending Japan’s dependence on nuclear power generation and by establishing an energy mix centering on renewable energy sources.
The government will finalize the draft target after a month of supposed public input and submit it to the United Nations.
Past related articles:
> Japan’s new target for cutting GHG emissions is too low [May 6, 2015]
> Japan should step up efforts against climate change [December 15, 2014]
