Japan promises drastic cuts in carbon emissions

by Rich Bowden - Jun 10 2008, 00:38

Japan has promised to cut its carbon emissions by sixty to eighty percent by 2050 though has offered no interim targets.

Speaking ahead of next month's G8 summit to be held in Japan, the news is seen as an important boost as world leaders prepare to discuss cuts to carbon emissions. Japan has put the problem of climate change as one of the key items to be discussed at the meeting.

There has been disagreement among the world's leading industrialised nations as to how to proceed when the current Kyoto Treaty targets end in 2012. However Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is hoping to use the summit to bring consensus on cuts to CO2 emissions.

"All nations of the world, including our own, must participate in this effort to make it work," he said and announced that Japan will introduce its own trial carbon emissions trading scheme later this year forcing polluting industries to buy credits to pollute.

"We can bolster Japan's standing in international society and strengthen our economy further by taking a leading role in the CO2 reduction revolution," said Mr Fukuda before adding: "I believe that we need to make an effort to create a low-carbon revolution so that our descendants 200 years from now will look back and be proud of us," Fukuda said.

However Fukuda's lack of a mid term target has been criticised by some environmentalists.

Kathrin Gutmann, climate policy coordinator of conservation group WWF said the decision was "disappointing" adding that the PM was, "playing a numbers game to avoid a commitment to deep emission reductions," reported AFP. "Fukuda will have to announce a clear mid-term target soon," she said.

The PM's call comes as Republican lawmakers in the U.S. have blocked a similar "cap and trade" scheme saying it would be too risky at a time of high oil prices.

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