Japan's GHG emissions declined by 5.1% in 2020-2021

Japan’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 5.1% in the financial year 2020-2021 (April 2020-March 2021) to 1,150 MtCO_2eq, their lowest level since 1990-1991, according to final figures from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment. It represents an 18.4% decline compared to the financial year 2013. It is the seventh year in a row of decline, which was driven by the reduced energy consumption (due to improved energy conservation and the effects of the spread of COVID-19) and lower CO₂ emissions in the power generation sector due an increasing share of low-carbon electricity (wider adoption of renewable energy, resumption of nuclear power plant operations).

In 2020, CO₂ accounted for 90.8% of total emissions, followed by fluorinated gases (5%), methane (2.5%) and nitrous oxide (1.7%). The industry is the largest emitter sector of energy-related CO₂ (36.8%), followed by transport (19.1%), commercial (18.8%), residential (17.2%) and energy conversion (8.1%). In April 2021, Japan raised its target reduction of GHG emissions for 2030 from 26% in its NDC to 46% (2013 as base year).