Amended Law Makes GHG Emissions Reporting Mandatory for Certain Businesses

In response to the partial amendment to the Law Concerning the Promotion of the Measures to Cope with Global Warming that went into effect on April 1, 2006, the Japanese government now requires major emitters to calculate their greenhouse gas emission volumes and report them to the government. The government will compile the data submitted and announce the results to the public.

All types of greenhouse gases are subject to this requirement. Businesses already required to report energy usage under the Law concerning the Rational Use of Energy are now also required to report their amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions derived from energy consumption. These businesses include type 1 and 2 designated energy management factories, specified freight carriers, specified shippers, specified ground transport services for passengers and freight, and specified air transportation services.

For other types of greenhouse gases, businesses with more than 20 full-time employees are required to report the aggregate amounts of their emissions by type at each business site emissions exceed 3,000 tons of CO2 equivalent.

Although Japan is committed to attain a 6 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2010, the country's emissions have been increasing, and it is thus being expected to make greater efforts. The measures introduced this time are aimed to encourage businesses to tackle the issue more concretely, by first requiring them to accurately determine the emissions they generate. By publishing emissions data, the government also expects to create momentum to control emissions among not only companies but also individual households. The Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have jointly set up a website (currently available only in Japanese) to raise awareness about the new measures.

http://www.env.go.jp/en/

Posted: 2006/07/09 12:25:44 AM
Japanese version