Japan's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in fiscal 2003 (based on preliminary monthly reports) amounted to 1.336 billion tons, up 0.4 percent from the previous year, and an 8 percent increase from the 1990 base year under the Kyoto Protocol, according to a report released by Japan's Ministry of the Environment on November 5, 2004.

Since Japan is required to reduce its GHG emissions by 6 percent from the 1990 levels by 2012, a reduction of more than 14 percent is necessary to achieve the goal.

As for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which account for 90 percent of Japan's GHG emissions, the industrial sector including factories, which account for 40 percent of domestic CO2 emissions, showed a 1.9 percent increase over the previous year due to the recovery of domestic production, while the transport sector, including automobiles and marine transport, marked a 0.8 percent decrease. Emissions from residences and office buildings remained unchanged. Compared with 1990 levels, CO2 emissions from factories showed no change, but those from the two other sectors were 20 to 37 percent higher.

Due to Russia's recent ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, the accord is set to take effect in February 2005, and Japan will be required to make further efforts to meet its commitment to reduce GHG emissions.




Posted: 2005/03/08 02:56:01 PM
Japanese version

TAG Global warming , Government , System/Law