According to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, Japan’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 2.7% in the financial year 2019-2020 (April 2019-March 2020) to 1,213 MtCO2eq, their lowest level since 1990-1991. It represents a 14% decline compared to the financial year 2013. It is the sixth year in a row of decline, which is mainly driven by the increased use of renewable energies, the restart of nine nuclear reactors and a lower energy demand thanks to a warmer winter and a reduced energy consumption by industry.
Japan's GHG emissions rose significantly after the Fukushima 2011 nuclear disaster, as the country shut down all its nuclear reactors and subsequently increased the use of thermal power generation. However, GHG emissions have declined significantly since the peak 2013 (1,410 MtCO2eq), thanks to the rapid penetration of renewables in the power generation mix (18% in 2019) and the introduction of energy-efficiency measures.
Japan intends to cut CO2 emissions by 26% by 2030 compared to 2013 levels and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To cut greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions to zero by 2050, the country will invest in new solar cells and carbon recycling, intensifying research and development in those areas, and digitalise its economy. In addition, Japan will have to start decommissioning coal power plants and will also stop building and financing new coal power plants in Japan and overseas. In July 2020, the government had announced plans to retire more than 100 inefficient coal-fired power plant units by 2030.