Japan targets 60% emissions cut by 2035 from 2013 levels

Actually this target seems less ambitious than the last one. Only 2%-12% growth in renewables from 2030-2040? How will they go from this to net zero by 2050, like they're claiming they're on track to do.

Under the new plans, renewables such as solar and wind are expected to account for 40 to 50 percent of electricity generation by 2040.

That marks a jump from last year's level of 23 percent and a previous target for 2030 of 38 percent.

Oh, thanks every day for the laughs.

Just don't raise our taxes

The only way to achieve this goal is with nuclear energy.

With all the manufacturing Japan is sending to third world countries it might just be possible to achieve these goals. Greenhouse emissions will increase globally but Japan will look good on paper.

Japan is spending 1/2 billion USD per day on imported dirty fuel? I am surprised the country does not clean up its act much faster than is stated in the article.

I doubt it very much, I get itchy eyes and throat pain every evening while walking the dog.

Nice photo of Mt. Fuji anyway. Hokusai could have used it to make a print titled "Great smokestack off Fujisawa."

Japan has been lame on this for so long.

Just look at the built environment, what most public spaces prioritise, and what their primary industry is...

I guess too much of the older generation, not able to think differently or look at the wider world that is doing better and apply that to what Japan could do better.

It's a complete waste.

It will just be used as fodder for some silly emissions trading scheme.

Only a handful of people understand how much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be reduced if Japan achieved this target.

The figure is less than 0.00001%.

It would be a waste of tax money.

There are countless other things that should be prioritized.

China, the United States, India, and other countries should take the lead in reducing carbon dioxide.

. . . this past summer 2024, we were in Tokyo, and I noticed the strong smell of air pollution, probably due to automobile exhaust . . . . is Japan using "unleaded" gas for their public? If not, they need to catchup with countries like US where unleaded gas is the norm . . . .

Won’t be hard if Japan continues to lose population at what is approaching free-fall pace and if industry continues to cede ground to China.

The biggest hitch will be getting the remaining people to give up their kerosene heaters in favor of nuclear-powered central heating.

Japan needs to ensure that there is an abundant supply of cheap reliable electricity. There are already problems with supply in summer.

Someone has to pay for this and nobody wants to pay because nobody cares till they realize it is to late.

Good luck for the coming next generation who doesn't even have the money.

For the last 25 million years the CO2 amount in the atmosphere has not exceeded 250 ppm, until today. It is now above 410 ppm, and still climbing. Efforts to reduce carbon emissions are both profitable and healthy.

. . . this past summer 2024, we were in Tokyo, and I noticed the strong smell of air pollution, probably due to automobile exhaust . . . .

Did you spend a lot of time walking along major roads? I notice stronger air pollution in most other Asian capitals in summer.

Renewables are now cheaper than fossil fuels, and probably will be even with batteries included soon. It's why Japan will be able to meet these targets quite easily despite the lack of political will.

Someone has to pay for this and nobody wants to pay because nobody cares till they realize it is to late.

Good luck for the coming next generation who doesn't even have the money.

Guess why year of reference is 2013...just 2 years after Fukushima disaster and closing of all nuclear reactors.

@JTsnose Only 7 down votes? The readers are being generous. Japan was the first country (in 1986) to ban leaded gas. Catalytic converters were required on new cars from 1975. As you should know, leaded petrol cannot be used in a car with a catalytic converter, so use of leaded fuel was steadily reduced from 1975.