Japan's greenhouse gas emissions hit a record low in fiscal 2020, rewriting lows recorded over the preceding two years, due to reduced economic activity amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the expansion of renewable energy use, the government said Friday.
National emissions in fiscal 2020 totaled 1.15 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, down 5.1% from fiscal 2019 for the seventh straight yearly decline and the lowest figure since comparable data became available in fiscal 1990, the Environment Ministry said.
The ministry cited lower energy consumption caused by reduced production by manufacturers and a decrease in passenger and freight traffic amid the pandemic as factors contributing to the emissions cut, as well as improved energy conservation and resumption of nuclear power plant operations.