The Council for Science and Technology Policy, under Japan's Cabinet Office, announced on May 19, 2008, the creation of the Environment Energy Technology Innovation Program, which has the aim of helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions worldwide in half by 2050 by taking the following measures:
1. Lead the world in technological development and international cooperation.
2. Actively transfer technological accomplishments to the rest of the world.
3. Have the private sector take the major role in disseminating environmental energy technology and give it governmental support.
4. Utilize international cooperation in developing environment-friendly model cities as an effective means of sharing technology in the non-industrial sector.
According to the program's short/medium-term measures to implement by 2030, Japan should develop more efficient light water nuclear reactors, thermal power generation, hybrid/electric vehicles, lighting, heat pumps, household appliances/information devices, energy saving houses, and intelligent transport systems (ITS). Furthermore, as medium/long-term measures for 2030 and beyond, Japan needs to develop next-generation light water nuclear reactors, a fast breeder nuclear reactor cycle, innovative photovoltaic power generation, hydrogen production technologies, and a hydrogen-reduction steel-making process.
In addition, in order to disseminate these technologies Japan should take measures to increase the number of products included under its "top runner" system, give preferential treatment to companies based on environmental and energy performance, provide financing for small- and mid-sized companies (under a domestic version of the Clean Development Mechanism), and support the construction of environment-friendly model cities and projects.
http://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/index.htmlhttp://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/doc/low_carbon_tec_plan/index.htmlhttp://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/topics/energy-in-japan/english2008.pdf
Posted: 2008/09/15 09:23:27 AM