10 June 2009
Japan’s emissions announcement today reveals their total lack of ambition by unveiling a 2020 emissions reductions target of just 8 per cent on 1990 levels – going a mere 2 per cent further than its 2012 target under the Kyoto Protocol.
The news comes towards the end the two week climate conference taking place in Bonn, Germany one of many summits taking place on the road to Copenhagen in December, when an agreement on a new climate deal will be reached.
Tearfund’s Director of Advocacy, Paul Cook, said, `This is a disaster. The level of ambition among developed countries is already incredibly weak – way below the 40 per cent emissions reductions needed collectively by 2020, and even outside of the ranges given by the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change of 25-40 per cent cuts.
`Japan’s decision risks creating a race to the bottom among other developed countries looking for an excuse to evade tough targets.'
The aid agency highlights that Japan’s decision will also make it difficult for EU countries to increase their 2020 target from 20 per cent cuts to 30 per cent - which they are only prepared to do if other developed countries make a similar effort to cut emissions.
`It is difficult to see how a fair, science-based deal can be achieved by Copenhagen if developed countries so utterly fail to do what is necessary to prevent a catastrophe for poor people and for the planet. Japan should be condemned for its failure of leadership and ambition,' Cook concluded.