Japan's net greenhouse gas emissions fall to record low

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TOKYO : Japan’s net greenhouse gas emissions fell 1.9% to a record low of 994 million tonnes in the fiscal year in 2024 according to government data released Tuesday. This marks the first time since record-keeping began that the nation’s net emissions have dropped below the one-billion-tonne threshold.

The Ministry of Environment attributed the decline to reduced energy consumption within the manufacturing sector and a gradual increase in the use of renewable and nuclear energy. Currently, 67.5% of Japan’s electricity is generated from fossil fuels, down from 68.6% the previous year. The government aims to further reduce this dependency to 30-40% over the next 15 years.

Despite the progress, the pace of the decline has slowed compared to the previous 12 months. Japan, the world’s fifth-largest carbon emitter, maintains a target of a 46% reduction by 2030 and full carbon neutrality by 2050. However, officials noted that energy security concerns stemming from the Middle East conflict may necessitate a temporary lift on restrictions for coal-fired power plants.

Photo Credits: AFP