The Japanese government plans to get more than 30 per cent of the energy it uses from renewable sources from the next fiscal year starting in April, ministers said, as it seeks to set an example in its quest for carbon neutrality.
“The government itself needs to take an initiative in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to help achieve our 2050 goal of becoming carbon neutral,” Taro Kono, minister in charge of regulatory reforms, told a news conference.
The government will ask all ministries to procure more than 30 per cent of electricity supplies from renewable power sources with careful consideration of competitiveness and lower costs.
“The government itself needs to change to make renewable energy into a significant power source,” Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said.
The environment ministry wants renewable energy to make up 35 per cent-40 per cent of its power in the next year, up from 10 per cent-15 per cent this year, he said, adding that the percentage used by other ministries was not known.
Renewable energy accounted for 18 per cent of Japan’s nationwide electric power generation in the year ended March 2020.
Under Japan’s basic energy policy set in 2018, Japan, the world’s fifth-biggest carbon emitter, aims for renewable energy to contribute 22 per cent to 24 per cent of total power by 2030.
However, the ambition level may need to be increased as Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in October Japan would seek to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
EcoNews is an independent publication that relies on contributions from its readers.
WE’RE BUILDING A PLATFORM WITH A CLEAR FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL GOOD. CONTRIBUTE AND TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT.
If you value EcoNews, but are unable to contribute via sponsorship or advertising we ask that you promote our online store The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au via your social media to assist us to fund this valuable service.
