Japan Struggles With CO2 Targets, Survey Shows
Date: 03-Feb-05
Country: JAPAN
Eleven out of 30 major industries, including the power and car parts industries, will have trouble sufficiently cutting emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), it showed.
The Kyoto Protocol, named after the ancient Japanese city where the UN plan for reining in emissions of greenhouse gases from cars, factories and power plants was drawn up, will take effect on Feb. 16 with backing from almost all rich nations except the United States.
It aims to cut CO2 emissions in developed states by 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12.
A trade ministry official said 12 industries in the survey had already met their goals and another seven were on track to do so, adding he was hopeful that the remaining 11 could do the same if they adopted new measures.
"They already have plans for various steps, such as installing more efficient factory equipment and switching to more eco-friendly fuel sources," he said.
But he said an environment tax proposed by the Environment Ministry and activists was unlikely to help.
A government advisory panel said last November an environment tax was needed to force companies to meet the Kyoto targets.
The panel discussed a proposal by the Environment Ministry for a tax of 2,400 yen ($23.16) for each tonne of carbon emitted from fossil fuels such as crude oil or coal.
The tax idea has raised concern that individual households could suffer if companies raise prices of gasoline and electricity as a result. The Environment Ministry says such a tax would cost each household an extra 3,000 yen a year.
Business leaders are also worried that the tax would dampen economic growth and could inhibit international competitiveness, particularly against countries such as the United States that have not joined the protocol.
"We don't think the environment tax is needed," the trade ministry official said. "If industries do what they need to meet the Kyoto targets, we can get by without it."