TOKYO (Kyodo) — The auto industry, along with three other Japanese industry sectors, offered Wednesday some 2.6 million tons in additional cuts in annual greenhouse gas emissions to help Japan achieve its emission reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol, government officials said.
At a joint meeting of advisory panels to the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association presented a plan to expand its emission cut from fiscal 1990 to 12.5 percent from an earlier 10 percent. The additional percentage amounts to some 190,000 tons.
Four electrical machinery industry bodies offered 2.3 million tons in additional reductions.
The Japan Department Stores Association and the Japan Association of Chain Drug Stores also submitted additional emission reduction plans.
Under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, Japan is required to cut its annual emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases between fiscal 2008 and 2012 by 6 percent from the level in fiscal 1990.
Warning Japan will have to add 20 million to 34 million tons to its annual emission reduction plans in order to meet the requirement, the government has asked industry bodies to offer additional cuts.
Last Thursday, 13 other industries offered some 13 million tons in additional annual emission cuts.
