The Hatoyama Cabinet Friday endorsed a basic bill designed to combat global warming. Importantly, the bill specifies middle- and long-term numerical targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020, and by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050. However, the bill stipulates that the 25 percent reduction is conditional on all other major-emitter nations setting similarly ambitious targets.
Japan is obliged, under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6 percent from 1990 levels during the 2008-12 period. Although emissions slowed temporarily after the 2008 financial crisis, fulfilling the obligation will be difficult.
The new bill calls for the promotion of nuclear energy, and the introduction of a carbon tax and an emissions-trading scheme.