Challenging International Rule

Ministries of Environment and Economy, Trade and Industry released a draft of the emission target in future Japan. It was 26% reduction in 2030 from the basis of 2013 level. Who said 2013 would make the basis for calculation? European Union and United States took 1990 or 2005 as the basis of greenhouse gasses reduction, when the emission level was higher than 2013. The problem is that domestic-minded bureaucrats in Tokyo might have believed Japan to be a game changer in the international discussion over climate change.

Japan’s total emission of greenhouse gasses in 2013 was 1.4 billion metric tons. By achieving the target of 26% reduction, the emission will be 1 billion metric tons. To reach the target, both ministries assumed national effort of saving energy, development of renewable energy or taking advantage of nuclear energy. For METI, the target can be a tool of justifying its policy to resume nuclear power plants year by year.

Reduction target for manufacturers, which occupies 40% of all domestic energy consumption, was only 6.5%, while sections of commerce and service or family is required 40% reduction. Expected innovation for saving energy is something about auto cruising system to avoid traffic jam. That will not work for meaningful achievement in saving energy in Japan.

2013 was the year for Japan that greenhouse gas emission level marked the second highest in its history, due to growing demand for thermal power generation with fossil fuels after nuclear power generation was halted by severe accident in First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Setting basis on 2013 is unilaterally advantageous for Japan.

European Union upholds a target of reducing emission by 40% in 2030 compared to the emission level in 1990. United States have a target of 26-28% reduction from the basis of 2005. If those targets were recalculated with the basis of 2013, Japan’s target looks like the most ambitious. However, Japan had not shown significant achievement between 1990 and 2013, while Europe and U.S. made great efforts in reducing greenhouse gasses. Settling basis on 2013 ignores their effort, possibly causing strong criticism on Japan.

Even with the introduction of 2013 basis, Japan cannot reach the target of 80% reduction below 1990 level by 2050, which is required for containing global hike of temperature within 2°C. Although the reduction target will be determined with voluntary manners, Japanese plan will face broad criticisms in terms of seriousness on the issue. But in the system of Japanese politics, bureaucrats will not be punished in failing to accept international understanding on its target.