CO2 Emissions Reduction Targets for Transport Sector Revealed

The Environmental Division of the Transport Policy Council, an advisory panel of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, published an interim report in May 2004 on the current status of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the nation's transport sector, emission estimates for 2010, and new anti-CO2 emission measures. The transport sector includes public transportation, trucks and other commercial motor vehicles and private cars.

Currently, CO2 emissions from the transport sector account for approximately 20 percent of Japan's total emissions, and 90 percent of these are from motor vehicles. CO2 emissions from the transport sector in fiscal 2001 amounted to 267 million tons; this is about six percent higher than 250 million tons, the target figure set for 2010 in the Guideline of Measures for Promoting Efforts to Prevent Global Warming issued in 1998.

Having reviewed ongoing measures and re-calculated possible CO2 reductions by 2010, the Council's Environmental Division concluded that new measures to eliminate an additional 5 to 14 million tons of CO2 emissions were necessary to attain the 2010 target figure for 2010. New measures will include the urgent promotion of a modal shift away from using trucks to using railways and ships, the establishment of a more efficient goods distribution system and greater use of public transportation.

The Ministry set forth an action plan for 2004 to promote modal shift. The major points are:
1. Promote green distribution by enhancing cooperation between cargo shippers and distribution businesses.
2. Clearly address the needs of cargo shippers by encouraging efforts by railways and forwarding agents.
3. Improve coastal shipping by promoting Super Eco-Ships, a new generation of vessels for coastal waters designed to significantly reduce exhaust emissions.
4. Organizing support and evaluation systems for environmental actions by businesses.




Posted: 2004/08/05 12:03:19 PM
Japanese version