Japan struggles to meet pollution reduction targets

Japan, a staunch advocate of the Kyoto protocol on global warming, is struggling to meet its targets for cutting pollution, as it considers a range of environmental policy alternatives to cap carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas levels.

Since last year, an Environment Ministry task force has been examining ways to reverse a steady rise in emissions from factory smokestacks to household appliances expected over the next few years.

Environmentalists criticise Tokyo for making renewable energy – such as wind and solar power – a low priority.

Yoshinori Tanaka, assistant director of the ministry’s climate change policy division, said that Japan can’t meet the Kyoto targets unless it takes more drastic measures.

Tokyo has promised a 6% cut in emissions of greenhouse gases, which are widely thought to be a key cause of global warming.

“Government forecasts show greenhouse gas emissions will be up 4.1% to 4.6% in 2010, from 1990,” Tanaka said.

”But we plan to take advantage of the credits allowed under the Kyoto protocol … to improve the forecast.”

The Kyoto protocol was signed in 1997 at an international conference held in Japan. Its fate has been uncertain since US President George W. Bush said Washington would not sign the pact because the strict targets would hinder US growth.

Under the rules of the pact, Russia’s approval is needed for the pact to go into effect. But Moscow hasn’t committed to do so.