Industries emitted 1.8 percent more carbon dioxide (CO2) in fiscal 2002 than the previous year, in part because of stoppages of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) nuclear power generating facilities following a damage coverup scandal, a study shows.

Data compiled by Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) showed that emissions by 35 industrial sectors, including electric power, steel and cement, totaled 498.51 million tons in fiscal 2002. The data was compiled for Keidanren's industrial-sector global warming measures and voluntary action environmental plan.

Despite the rise, the fiscal 2002 emission levels were still 1.9 percent lower than those in fiscal 1990, and marked the fifth year in a row of emissions lower than the 1990 figure. The federation had set a target of ``keeping (emissions) below those of fiscal 1990.''

Although the nation's 10 electric power companies lifted electricity output in fiscal 2002 by no more than 2.2 percent compared with the previous year, the amount of CO2 emitted by their plants jumped 12.2 percent.

Keidanren officials blamed the rise in part on the halt in operations of numerous TEPCO nuclear power facilities. The stoppages at nuclear power plants generated 7.8 percent less electricity in fiscal 2002 compared with a year earlier, and resulted in 9.3 percent more power generation by thermal power stations, officials said.

In total, 21 industries, including the electric power, steel and automobile sectors, recorded increased CO2 emissions compared with fiscal 2001, federation officials said.

But it's not all bad news. Fourteen industries, including the cement and oil sectors, reported drops in emissions over the same period.(IHT/Asahi: November 24,2003) (11/24)