Japan Carbon Emission Target Leaves Green Groups Appalled

Posted on 10. Jun, 2009 by Ross in Asia, Government Policy

Japan, under international pressure to commit to clear carbon emission reduction targets prior to the Copenhagen Conference in December, has appalled environmental groups with the worst target for any of the top industrialised nations.

Japan has committed to a 15% cut in carbon emissions by 2020 from 2005 levels. This figure represents one of the worst instances of governmental greenwash yet seen: every other nations talks about cuts from 1990 levels, which was the baseline for the original Kyoto talks. Japan’s pledge translates as a paltry 8% cut on 1990 levels: only 2% less than their Kyoto Treaty commitment which was due to be met within the next 3 years.

Prime Minister Taro Aso faces elections within months and obviously believes that stronger targets would prove unpopular to industry and voters during the country’s worst recession since World World Two. Conversely, the opposition Democratic Party is advocating 25% carbon emission cuts from 1990 levels, and is currently ahead in the opinion polls.

Environmental groups were quick to pour scorn on the Japanese targets. Kim Carstensen, head of the World Wildlife Fund’s Global Climate Initiative, was amongst the first to pass comment:

Prime Minister Aso’s reported plan is appalling… The new Aso target would mean that Japan effectively gives dirty industries the freedom to pollute without limits for eight years.

Developing nations have been looking to Japan and other leading developed countries to commit to deep cuts in their carbon emissions as a way of sending a strong signal to the rest of the world to follow suit. All eyes now are on Russia: one of the last of the world’s biggest economies to declare their carbon emission targets ahead of the Copenhagen conference which will produce the legislation successor to the Kyoto Treaty.

Image by Jan Tik @ Flickr