Japan Steps Up in Climate Fight, Sets Ambitious 2035 Goal

• Japan, the world’s fifth-largest carbon dioxide emitter, pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035.
• The commitment is part of Japan’s Paris Agreement obligations and aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• Japan’s new Strategic Energy Plan aims to make renewable energy the country’s primary power source by 2040.
• Despite challenges, Japan’s ambitious targets signal a global urgency to address climate change and serve as a call to action for other nations.

Japan, the world’s fifth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, has made a significant stride towards combating climate change. The country has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by the fiscal year 2035, compared to 2013 levels. This announcement is part of Japan’s commitment under the Paris Agreement, which mandates each country to provide a detailed plan to the United Nations for reducing heat-trapping emissions by 2035.

The Japanese environment ministry made the announcement on Tuesday, stating that the targets are aligned with the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The ministry also outlined a clear pathway towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This ambitious target comes at a time when many nations have failed to deliver fresh climate plans. According to a UN database, out of nearly 200 nations required to submit new climate plans by February 10, only 10 did so on time.

Japan’s New Climate Targets

Japan’s new targets mark a significant increase in ambition compared to previous commitments. In 2016, the country committed to a 26% reduction in emissions by 2030. However, a renewed NDC issued in March 2020 maintained the same figure, leading to criticism from environmental campaigners. A more ambitious plan submitted in October 2021 set a goal of reducing emissions by 46% by 2030, compared to 2013 levels.

In addition to the 2035 target, Japan also aims to reduce emissions by 73% by the fiscal year 2040. This goal forms part of Japan’s new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) – a voluntary pledge that will be submitted to the United Nations. The new targets come as global emissions continue to rise, despite the urgent need to reduce them to limit global warming to safer levels agreed under the Paris deal.

Japan’s Strategic Energy Plan

Alongside the emissions reduction targets, Japan also approved its latest Strategic Energy Plan on Tuesday. The plan includes an intention to make renewable energy the country’s top power source by 2040. This marks a significant shift from last year’s level of 23% and a previous target for 2030 of 38%.

Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy, currently has the dirtiest energy mix among the Group of Seven nations. Nearly 70% of the country’s power needs in 2023 were met by power plants burning coal, gas, and oil. The government aims to reduce this figure by 30 to 40% over the next 15 years. The country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, which cost about $500 million per day, poses a significant challenge to the government’s aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Under the new plans, renewables such as solar and wind are expected to account for 40 to 50% of electricity generation by 2040. The Strategic Energy Plan also highlights the role of nuclear power in meeting Japan’s growing energy demand, particularly from artificial intelligence and microchip factories. This comes nearly 14 years after the Fukushima disaster, indicating a renewed faith in nuclear power as part of the country’s energy mix.