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AsiaElec COMMENTARY AsiaElec
Japan misses chance to cut emissions ahead of COP26
Japan has failed to commit to more emissions reductions, but insists that it will meet its 2030 targets, writes Richard Lockhart
JAPAN
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JAPAN has chosen to maintain its existing emis- sions reduction targets, keeping its previous 26% IPCC target in place rather than increasing it, as urged by the UN.
Tokyo insisted in a statement accompanying its submission to the UN IPCC that despite its unchanged commitments it was still on course to meet its 2030 goals by pointing to a 12% reduc- tion in emissions between 2013 and 2018.
However, Tokyo’s decision to keep its 26% goal, set in 2016, unchanged has been criticised as unambitious and insufficient.
“I trust that more ambitious targets will be set soon,” said Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secre- tary of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
She added that more “bold, ambitious” action would be required, and that the UNFCCC was “ready to support Japan and all other parties” in upgrading their NDCs.
Other developed economies are expected to announce improvements to their 2030 emissions targets this year.
Lowering emissions
Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koi- zumi said in a statement accompanying the submission the NDC would serve as a start for further reduction efforts.
“I believe the submission will be received positively, as this submission, well in advance of COP26, reflects Japan’s willingness to aim for
aspiring figures in the NDC reflecting further ambitious reduction efforts,” he said.
He said that government preliminary figures showed a 12% in CO2 reductions between 2013 2018, which he claimed showed that Japan had “contributed to reducing global GHG emissions.”
He said that the government would provide more information on its NDC and its targets and strategy before the COP26 conference in Glas- gow later in 2020.
Looking ahead, Japan “will pursue fur- ther efforts both in the medium and long term to reduce greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions beyond this level,” the country’s submission read.
Not enough
Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Cli- mate Foundation and former special represent- ative at the Paris COP21 conference in 2015, called Japan’s move disappointing, comparing it the progress begin made by the EU, UK and South Korea, which she said were moving to low-carbon economies.
“At one of the most challenging times of recent memory, we need bolder, mutually rein- forcing plans that protect our societies from the global risks we all face,” Tubiana said.
While Tokyo is stating that it could improve its commitments in future, it is not doing so today, as required by the UN IPCC.
“The Japanese government does not seem to understand that a fair contribution from
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