Japanese Energy Efficiency Policy and the 25 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target: Prime Minister Takes on Mission Impossible?

摘要

Japan has announced to the world a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25% fromrn1990 levels by 2020. This amounts to a 30% reduction from 2005 levels, a very high target.rnHowever, the scientific basis enabling such reduction is not clear, and industry has raisedrnobjections. The government’s target will be extremely difficult to achieve, requiring not only anrnAction Plan, but also bold government initiatives.rnEnergy efficiency policy of Japan is based on the Energy Conservation Law (ECL), itsrnrelated standards, and additional programs. The ECL was revised in 2002, 2005, and 2008, withrnregulations strengthened each time. Major energy efficiency standards include Top RunnerrnStandards targeting equipment, standards for factories and workplaces targeting the industrialrnand commercial sectors, two types of standards targeting buildings, and standards for shippersrntargeting the transportation sector. To attain these standards, programs have been implemented tornencourage introduction of energy efficiency and renewables.rnIn this paper, we discuss energy efficiency standards and major programs to encouragernenergy efficiency and renewables in Japan. Policy recommendations to attain the 2020 emissionsrntarget are not yet available. We report on the state of policy development to attain the 25%rnreduction.