Japan Aims for 60% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2035

Japan announced on Tuesday that it plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent over the next decade compared to 2013 levels. However, climate activists argue that this target is insufficient to meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement aimed at limiting global warming. 

According to the Paris Accord, each nation is expected to submit a key figure to the United Nations to reduce heat-trapping emissions by 2035, along with a comprehensive plan for achieving this goal. Japan, which is the world’s fifth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide after China, the United States, India, and Russia, relies heavily on imported fossil fuels.

On Tuesday, Japan’s environment ministry announced that the country intends to cut emissions by 60 percent by fiscal year 2035. Additionally, the world’s fourth-largest economy aims to achieve a 73 percent reduction in emissions by fiscal 2040 as part of its new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), a voluntary commitment to be submitted to the UN later on Tuesday.

Nearly 200 countries were required to submit their updated climate plans by February 10, but only 10 managed to do so on time, according to a UN database monitoring these submissions. The Japanese ministry claimed that its “ambitious targets (are) aligned with the global 1.5 degree Celsius goal and on a straight pathway towards the achievement of net zero by 2050.” 

However, Masayoshi Iyoda from the international environmental group 350.org pointed out that scientists indicate Japan needs to reduce emissions by 81 percent by 2035 to fulfill its commitments to the 1.5-degree target.

“This is a major failure in Japan’s attempt to transition to a future of renewable energy that is fair and just,” he told AFP.

Kazue Suzuki of Greenpeace Japan also said the new target was “far too low”, calling for a 78 percent reduction given “our responsibility as an industrially advanced country”.

Japan announced on Tuesday that it intends to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent over the next ten years compared to 2013 levels. However, climate activists believe this goal is not adequate to meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming.

Under the Paris accord, each nation is expected to present a main figure to the United Nations on reducing heat-trapping emissions by 2035 and a detailed plan for achieving this target. Japan, the fifth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide globally after China, the United States, India, and Russia, relies significantly on imported fossil fuels.

On Tuesday, Japan’s environment ministry revealed that the country plans to reduce emissions by 60 percent by the fiscal year 2035. Furthermore, as part of its new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), Japan aims to achieve a 73 percent reduction in emissions by fiscal 2040, which will be submitted to the UN later on Tuesday.

Nearly 200 nations were required to submit their updated climate plans by February 10, but only 10 did so on time, according to a UN database that tracks these submissions. The Japanese ministry stated that its “ambitious targets (are) aligned with the global 1.5 degree Celsius goal and on a straight pathway towards the achievement of net zero by 2050.”

However, Masayoshi Iyoda from the international environmental group 350.org pointed out that scientists have determined that Japan needs to cut emissions by 81 percent by 2035 to meet its commitments to the 1.5-degree goal.