Japan's Ruling Coalition Calls for Steeper Cut In Long-Term Greenhouse Gas Emissions

摘要

Prime Minister Taro Aso's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New Komeito, July 7 submitted legislation to the Diet (parliament) that calls for reducing Japan's greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent to 80 percent by 2050 from 2005 levels.rnThe bill calls for a transition to a "green" tax structure to help minimize the impact of emissions reductions on people's livelihoods and industrial activities, envisioning tax breaks to promote renewable energy generation and changes in lifestyle.rnThis was the first time Japan's government formally declared a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to less than half of 2005 levels by 2050. Until now, Japan has pledged to reduce emissions by 50 percent in that time period.