Japan to state 2050 goal for gas cuts

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Monday will announce Japan's long-term target of cutting emissions of greenhouse gases between 60 and 80 percent in 2050 from the current level.

The announcement of long-term goals is intended to underscore Japan's commitment to the international effort in curbing global warming and to show Fukuda's leadership before he hosts the Group of Eight summit next month at Lake Toyako, Hokkaido.

Fukuda will announce some details in a speech Monday at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, but will refrain from committing the country to any midterm goals for 2020 or 2030, according to the draft of the announcement.

Instead, Fukuda will likely propose a "sector-specific" approach to setting emission reduction targets for individual countries. This would involve estimating the maximum amount of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that are realistically possible for all industrial sectors in a country. Those amounts will be added up to determine the country's overall emission reduction target.

He will also mention the possible introduction of a domestic emission trading mechanism in Japan after the commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012.

In addition, Fukuda will pledge to provide Japan's advanced technology for renewable power generation, including solar power, in global efforts to curb emissions.

Fukuda first made clear Japan's plan to set long-term goals at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January.

During the G-8 environment ministers' meeting in Kobe in May, the ministers agreed that halving global emissions in 2050 is a common vision of the G-8 members.

As for the emission trading mechanism, carbon intensive industries, including steel and utilities, have adamantly opposed such a proposal. The mechanism would impose emission caps on factories, offices and other emission-intensive facilities. Companies that emit less than their caps can sell "emission credits" to those that exceed the level.

In its interim report in May, Fukuda's advisory panel on global warming issues reflected the opinions of both proponents and opponents to the mechanism.

During his recent visit to Europe, however, Fukuda was urged by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other leaders to consider the introduction of the mechanism to reduce domestic emissions.

This time around, Fukuda will unlikely make clear the specifics and rules of the domestic mechanism. But he will give Japan's view on international trading rules, which are being formed under the initiative of Europe and the United States.(IHT/Asahi: June 7,2008)