Seven years of decline have been marked by a 5.1 per cent drop in greenhouse gas emission.
Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped to a record low in March 2021’s financial year, according to government figures. This was due to slower industry activity and increased use of renewable energy.
Seven consecutive years of falls ended with a 5.1% decline
From 1.21 billion tonnes in the previous year, 2020-21’s emissions were equivalent to 1.15 billion tonnes CO2.
The 2020-21 level was the lowest recorded since 1990-91, when Japan began compiling data about greenhouse gas emissions. Revised data from the ministry of the environment show.
Japan, which is the fifth-largest emitter of carbon, raised its climate goals in April 2021. The country pledged to cut its emissions by 46 per cent from 2013 levels by 2030, instead its previous goal of 26 percent. 2030’s emissions will reach 0.76 billion tonnes if this goal is met.
The 2020-21 figure represents 18.4 percent less than the 2013 levels.
Even though emissions have decreased seven years in a row, we are still far away from carbon neutrality and cannot be optimistic, Masayuki Kuiwa, a director of the ministry, told reporters.
He stated that we must maximize the use renewable energy to achieve our 2030 target and our 2050 goal for carbon neutrality. Because it could be used quickly, the ministry will promote solar power to meet the 2030 target.
Japan’s emissions rose after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. This increased dependence on fossil fuels and led to a surge in their emissions. However, they have declined since the peak of 1.41billion tonnes reached in 2013-14.
Ten reactors were restarted, the highest number since the Fukushima accident, but only five are currently operational.
Renewable energy accounted to 19.8 percent of electric generation of one trillion Kilowatt-hours in 2020-21. This is up 1.6 percentage point from the previous years.
According to industry ministry data, nuclear energy dropped 2.3 percentage points to 3.9%, while thermal power accounted for 76.3 percent. This was up 0.7 percentage point, according to industry ministry data.
