Japan plans to reach carbon neutrality in 2050

Tokyo-Sana

Japan announced its intention to reach carbon neutrality in 2050, which was praised by the European Union, the United Nations, environmental activists and experts, but it reflects an increased ambition in light of the heavy dependence of the third largest global economy of Japan on coal.

"I announce that we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 in order to reach a carbon neutral society," AFP quoted Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday as saying in his first public policy speech to the Japanese parliament today.

He did not give a specific timetable for reaching this balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, but stressed the importance of technology and the importance of using safe energy sources.

The new goal puts Japan on the same timeline set by Europe and Britain, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hastened to praise this announcement and said: “Japan is a friend and ally country, and we are happy to work together to reach a zero emissions level in the year 2050, which is a goal you should aim for It reaches all developed countries. ”

In turn, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, described the Japanese declaration as a "positive development of strong significance," expressing his confidence "that Japan will help developing countries achieve the same goal, including providing technical assistance and public and private financing for renewable energy sources."

Japan was the third strongest economy in the world and one of the countries that signed the Paris climate agreement at the end of 2015, the sixth most emitting greenhouse gases in the world in 2018, according to the International Energy Agency.

Japan is constantly facing criticism for its policy of establishing new coal plants on its soil, but also for financing projects abroad, especially in Southeast Asia.