Japan to push for emissions reduction targets at G8

Published: Friday 27 June 2008 In advance of the G8 summit, the Japanese government is pledging to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions up to 80% by 2050 in the hope that its commitment will push other nations like the US to follow suit. Japan will set itself the goal of reducing emissions by 60-80% compared with current levels by 2050, with a mid-term reduction target of 14% by 2020 based on 2005 levels. The announcement was made by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukada on 9 June as part of the government's vision "towards building a low-carbon society in Japan". Furthermore, the Japanese government is planning the massive introduction of existing advanced technologies, including a forty-fold increase in solar power capacities by 2030. There are also plans to introduce an emissions trading scheme similar to the one launched by... [read full story]