Japan Press Weekly

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2015 April 29 - May 12 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Japan’s new target for cutting GHG emissions is too low

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The Abe administration has drafted its new target, a 26% cut from the 2013 level by 2030, for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The international community will undoubtedly criticize Japan’s new target and the degree of its willingness to tackle climate change.

The government late last month presented the new target to an expert panel of the Ministry of Environment and of the Ministry of Economy and Industry, respectively, after it changed the benchmark year from 1990 to 2013. The year 2013 was when Japan released more carbon dioxide emissions than any other year since 1990. The proposed new target falls far short of international standards. It is absolutely unacceptable for Japan to officially set such a “low” goal and submit it for the next international climate negotiations.

Based on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, the world’s governments have stepped up efforts to curb global warming. Many of them have worked to increase their post-2020 targets. In the COP20 climate talks held in December last year, both industrial and developing countries agreed to set their own reduction targets before the COP21 sessions slated for the end of this year.

The European Union has already set forth its target of reduction of at least 40% below the 1990 level by 2030. The U.S. says it will cut emissions by 26-28% from the 2005 level by 2025. China, which has refrained from announcing its numerical target, is now moving forward toward joining global efforts to significantly cut CO2 emissions.

Japan is one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters, but it has so far avoided deciding on a certain target after 2020. Pressed by the international community to submit the post-2020 target promptly, Japan finally hammered out the plan to cut GHG emissions by 26% from the 2013 level by 2030.

The 2013 was the year when the amount of CO2 discharges was large because of an increase in the use of thermal power after the 2011 nuclear meltdown accident in Fukushima. By setting the 2013 as a benchmark, Japan can exaggerate its amount of emission cuts. If converting the benchmark year from 2013 to 1990, the reduction would be only 18%.

The underhanded trick the Abe government is using will only help increase international suspicions about Japan’s trustworthiness. The government should abandon such a low target and set a much more ambitious target.

Past related articles:
> Japan should step up efforts against climate change [December 15, 2014]
> Abe lags behind in international efforts to cut GHG emissions [November 14, 2014]
> Environmental NGOs criticize Japan’s new CO2 target [November 16, 2013]
> Japan should keep its pledge to world to cut 25% of its greenhouse gas emissions [October 3, 2013]
> Hatoyama declares 25% greenhouse gas emission cut from 1990 level [September 9, 2009]