Japan’s emissions increase, with Fukushima impact yet to be felt

According to the Japanese Trade Ministry announcement today, emissions from fuel burning increased by 4.4 per cent in the year to March - the first increase in three years. Japan is the worlds 5^th biggest emitter at around 1.122 billion tonnes. A recovery in the economy last year and a hot summer are thought to have caused the increases.

The Fukushima incident and the earthquake earlier this year have negatively impacted Japanese efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions also, with an increase in use of imported oil and gas due to the shutdown of the countries nuclear power plants. The long term futures of the plants are in doubt and it is feared fossil fuels could be seen as a long term solution to the energy gap created.

With offsets included, Japan has roughly achieved its Kyoto commitment at this stage, but there are two years to go with the agreement and it is unlikely the country will be able to meet the final target, given the catenation of national problems this year.

Burning of fuels normally accounts for around 90 per cent of Japanese emissions, while chemical reactions and other processes account for five per cent. This gives an estimated total emissions value of 1.246 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. In order to meet its Kyoto commitments, there have been emissions offsets of around 48 million tonnes down to tree planting.