Japan to stipulate 80% emission cut goal by 2050

The Japanese government will stipulate a long-term goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 from current levels.

The move follows the international climate agreement reached in Paris in December 2015, The Japan Times reported on Tuesday.

The plan, being compiled by the environment ministry and the ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI), is likely to be approved by the cabinet before Japan hosts the Group of Seven (G7) summit in May.

The government is obligated by law to update the national plan for cutting emissions, but it has not had a new plan since fiscal 2013 partly because energy policy was thrown into disarray by disasters, including the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Prior to the global climate talks in Paris, the administration decided on a goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent in 2030 from 2013 levels, which will be included in the upcoming plan.

Under the envisioned plan, the government will seek to introduce more renewable sources while also aiming to have all households shift to more energy-efficient LED lights by 2030.

As for coal-fired plants, which emit more carbon dioxide than other energy sources, METI will set standards for their power generation efficiency and encourage scrapping of inefficient facilities.