MAFF Releases Global Warming Strategy with New CO2 Reduction Targets

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) released on June 21, 2007, a comprehensive strategy for the sectors under its responsibility on actions to mitigate global warming. MAFF set new carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction targets along with a plan for achieving them through methods to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the greenhouse horticulture industry and in the use of agricultural machinery, encouraging more eco-friendly agricultural practices, including proper and reduced use of fertilizer, and methods to reduce the amount of energy and fuel used by fishing boats, among others.

With a GHG emissions reduction target in 2010 of 250,000 tons of CO2 per year for the greenhouse horticulture industry and in the use of agricultural machinery, MAFF plans to encourage related organizations to establish an action program for reducing emissions; promote the introduction of energy saving air-conditioning systems, agricultural machinery, and agricultural materials; and distribute a manual to farmers on saving energy.

For agriculture, with a GHG reduction target in 2010 of 167,000 tons of CO2 per year, MAFF plans to encourage more eco-friendly agricultural practices by establishing and promoting improved management of organic matter and water to reduce methane emissions from rice paddy fields, and promoting proper and lower use of fertilizer to reduce dinitrogen monoxide emissions from farm fields.

For the fisheries sector, with a GHG emissions reduction target in 2010 of 47,000 tons of CO2 per year, MAFF plans to develop, commercialize, and promote more energy efficient fishing boats, while further encouraging more eco-friendly operations management.

In addition, MAFF also plans to take action on other measures to address global warming issues and reduce the likely unavoidable negative impacts on the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors. These include introducing compact hydropower generators using irrigation water and photovoltaic systems to generate electricity in agriculture; encouraging local consumption of local products to reduce burdens on the environment; further promoting the research and development of technologies to reduce GHG emissions in all three sectors; and continuing to implement energy saving initiatives in MAFF's own daily operations and projects.

http://www.maff.go.jp/eindex.html
- Reducing Oil Use by Half in Greenhouse Systems (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/1652-e

Posted: 2007/11/07 03:04:49 PM
Japanese version