Japan misses the boat on emissions reduction targets

In response to yesterday’s adoption of Japan’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), Maiko Morishita, Oxfam Japan’s Policy Advisor, made the following statement:

“Oxfam is deeply disappointed by Japan’s lack of ambition.  Setting a target of 26% emissions reduction below 2013 levels (18% below 1990 levels) by 2030 is woefully inadequate. Japan, as one of the most developed countries in the world, has not only high responsibility for causing climate change, but also a strong capacity to reduce emissions. Japan urgently needs to step up its ambition by committing to a target in the range of 40-50% reduction based on 1990 levels.

“As Oxfam has shown in a recent report G7 coal emissions are a major contributor to climate damages in developing countries. Japan can increase its ambition by phasing out dirty coal and investing in renewable energy. Oxfam has urged Japan to stop the construction of new coal plants and put in place a plan to phase out coal power by 2035. But with plans to build 52 new coal-fired power plants, Japan is heading in the wrong direction and put at odds with the G7 recent commitment to phase out fossil fuels by the end of the century. If these coal plants are built, Japan will be doomed to an unsustainable fossil-fuelled future”.

“Today Japan has missed an important opportunity to help create the right kind of momentum for the crucial climate summit in Paris at the end of this year.”