A coalition of climate scientists, academics, and activists is calling on Japan to adopt a significantly more ambitious carbon reduction target for 2035, exceeding the government’s recent proposal, Bloomberg reports.
In a joint statement released Friday, the group urged Japan to aim for an 80% reduction in emissions below 2013 levels by 2035, aligning with the commitments of other leading nations under the Paris Agreement.
This statement follows a Monday meeting of Japan’s trade and environment ministry, where officials suggested a 60% reduction target for 2035 compared to 2013 levels. The experts’ group, which includes members from academia and financial institutions, contends that this proposed target falls short of what is necessary and fails to reflect global climate goals.
Japan’s heavy reliance on natural gas and coal for electricity generation has hampered its transition to cleaner energy sources. The government has cited geographical constraints and energy security concerns as obstacles to this transition. However, the experts argue that more aggressive action is urgently needed.
Signatories to the Paris Agreement are obligated to submit updated carbon reduction pledges to the United Nations by February. Several countries, including the UK, have already unveiled revised targets demonstrating increased ambition beyond their existing 2030 goals. The experts’ statement emphasizes the need for Japan to demonstrate a similar commitment to significantly reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change. The discrepancy between the government’s proposal and the experts’ recommendation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the appropriate level of ambition in Japan’s climate policy.
