Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito presented two scenarios Friday for Japan to reduce heat-trapping gas emissions by 80 percent from the 2005 levels by 2050 to curb global warming, through such efforts as a 40 percent cut in energy consumption and greater use of low-carbon resources, including renewable energy.
"By 2050, global greenhouse gas emissions are at least required to be halved from the current levels. To do so, developed countries need to cut emissions by more than 80 percent," Saito said. "Japan should also commit itself to the goal of an 80 percent reduction. These scenarios show that appropriate policies will enable Japan to achieve this."
Saito drew on a July accord by leaders of the Group of Eight nations in Italy to urge developed nations as a whole to slash emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 80 percent or more by 2050 compared with 1990 or more recent years.