What
do these numbers mean?
LDP: 15% below the 2005 levels
The mid-term target (i.e. to reduce emissions 15% below the
2005 levels) announced by the former Prime Minister Taro Aso
was criticized by some as “lacking ambition”. But in the view
that industrialized countries should bear the cost of emissions
reduction together, if we compare this mid-term target with
that set by EU and the U.S. (as seen in table 1), the criticism
that Japan set too low a target lacks accuracy.
However, given
the 2-degree global warming limite recognized by the G8 leaders
recently and the 25 to 40 percent reductions from the 1990
levels advocated by the experts of IPCC, it is doubtful whether
the mid-term target set by Japan (as well as E.U. and the
U.S.) is sufficient. Mutural understanding between countries
is needed to reach a fair and effective global agreement.
Once a global agreement is reached, it is possible to tighten
the emissions cap in the future.
DPL:
25% below the 1990 levels
The divide between the developed and developing countries
has been keeping the climate change negotiations from making
any significant progress. If developed countries, including
Japan, set high emissions reduction targets, they will not
only win the trust of developing countries, but also help
protect small and coastal, low-lying countries and future
generations. In this sense, the target revealed by the Democratic
Party of Japan would be desirable.
Nevertheless, it
is indispensable to ensure the competitiveness of businesses,
especially given President Obama’s advocate for the return
of emissions of the U.S. to the 1990 levels by 2020. Unless
DPJ manages to persuade the U.S. to raise its target to the
same level, the current 25% set by DPJ would be considered
unfair. If the U.S. and EU are unable to raise their emissions
reduction target, it is necessary for DPJ to re-examine its
own target to make sure that it is consistent with the emission
reduction efforts on the global level.
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