November 16, 2021

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow in Scotland ended on November 13 after adopting the "Glasgow Climate Pact". The pact calls on all Parties to "try to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels". Regarding coal-fueled power generation which emits huge amounts of CO2, the Pact watered down its wording from the initial "phasing out" to "phasing down" coal-fired power. The Japanese government shows its intention to continue relying on coal-fired power, coming under global criticism. It is unacceptable for Japan, the fifth largest emitter in the world, to neglect its responsibility to decarbonize the world.

The 2015 "Paris Agreement" sets a goal of limiting global warming to "well below 2 degrees Celsius" and preferably to 1.5C. In order to achieve the 1.5C temperature limit, it is necessary to halve GHG emissions by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The Glasgow Climate Pact mandates "accelerated action" that is needed in this "crucial" decade. There is little time left.

The secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) warns that global temperatures could hit 2.7C by the end of this century even if all current commitments are met. The Glasgow Climate Pact recognizes that the impacts of climate change will be "much lower" at the temperature increase of 1.5C compared with 2C. It is important that the Pact requires all Parties "to revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets in their nationally determined contributions as necessary to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goal by the end of 2022".

It will be possible for Japan to decrease CO2 emissions by 50-60% by 2030 compared to the 2010 level if the country reduces its energy consumption by 40% and covers 50% of the country's electricity from renewable sources of energy. It will also be possible to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 if the country replaces gas-fired power with renewables.

Japan should commence concrete actions without delay. There is no time to lose in proceeding to commit to an increase in its reduction target and an end to coal-fired power generation.