This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/8092866.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Japan sets 'weak' climate target | Japan sets 'weak' climate target |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Japan has announced a target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 15% over the next 11 years - a figure derided by environmentalists as "appalling". | Japan has announced a target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 15% over the next 11 years - a figure derided by environmentalists as "appalling". |
| The target equates to a cut of about 8% from 1990 levels, the commonly used baseline. By comparison, the EU plans a 20% reduction over the same period. | The target equates to a cut of about 8% from 1990 levels, the commonly used baseline. By comparison, the EU plans a 20% reduction over the same period. |
| The announcement comes in the middle of talks on the UN climate treaty in Bonn. | The announcement comes in the middle of talks on the UN climate treaty in Bonn. |
| Some observers say Japan's goal is not enough to persuade developing countries to cut their own emissions. | Some observers say Japan's goal is not enough to persuade developing countries to cut their own emissions. |
| "The target is not strong enough to convince developing nations to sign up for a new climate change pact," said Hidefumi Kurasaka, professor of environmental policies at Japan's Chiba University. | "The target is not strong enough to convince developing nations to sign up for a new climate change pact," said Hidefumi Kurasaka, professor of environmental policies at Japan's Chiba University. |
| Announcing the target, Prime Minister Taro Aso argued it was as strong as the EU's because it does not include "flexible mechanisms" such as international carbon trading. | Announcing the target, Prime Minister Taro Aso argued it was as strong as the EU's because it does not include "flexible mechanisms" such as international carbon trading. |
| But Kim Carstensen, leader of the global climate initiative at environment group WWF, said the 8% target represented virtually no advance from the 6% cut that Japan had pledged, under the Kyoto Protocol, to achieve by 2012. | But Kim Carstensen, leader of the global climate initiative at environment group WWF, said the 8% target represented virtually no advance from the 6% cut that Japan had pledged, under the Kyoto Protocol, to achieve by 2012. |
| "Prime Minister Aso's plan is appalling," he said. | "Prime Minister Aso's plan is appalling," he said. |
| "[It] would mean that Japan effectively gives dirty industries the freedom to pollute without limits for eight years." | "[It] would mean that Japan effectively gives dirty industries the freedom to pollute without limits for eight years." |
| Japan's annual emissions are currently about 6% above 1990 levels, despite its Kyoto Protocol pledge to make cuts. | Japan's annual emissions are currently about 6% above 1990 levels, despite its Kyoto Protocol pledge to make cuts. |
| But the government points out that the society uses energy much more efficiently than other industrialised countries. Per-capita greenhouse gas emissions are about half the rates in Australia and the US. | |
| Developing curbs | Developing curbs |
| The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN advisory body, has recommended that developed nations cut emissions by 25-40% from 1990 levels by 2020. | The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN advisory body, has recommended that developed nations cut emissions by 25-40% from 1990 levels by 2020. |
| Mr Aso's target puts Japan roughly in line with the US. President Obama has pledged to bring emissions back down to 1990 levels by 2020, although legislation coming through Congress is likely to impose a target of about 6%. | Mr Aso's target puts Japan roughly in line with the US. President Obama has pledged to bring emissions back down to 1990 levels by 2020, although legislation coming through Congress is likely to impose a target of about 6%. |
| The US, and at least some EU nations, are determined that major developing countries such as China and India should adopt emission curbs. | The US, and at least some EU nations, are determined that major developing countries such as China and India should adopt emission curbs. |
| But they have repeatedly said they will not sign up to measures that could curb their economic growth, arguing that the developed world must lead the way. | But they have repeatedly said they will not sign up to measures that could curb their economic growth, arguing that the developed world must lead the way. |
| The two-week meeting in Bonn, which ends on Friday, is the latest in a series leading up to December's key summit in Copenhagen, which is supposed to usher in a climate agreement to supersede the Kyoto Protocol, whose current emissions targets only run as far as 2012. | The two-week meeting in Bonn, which ends on Friday, is the latest in a series leading up to December's key summit in Copenhagen, which is supposed to usher in a climate agreement to supersede the Kyoto Protocol, whose current emissions targets only run as far as 2012. |