Cabinet Decisions for a Law Proposal to Partially Amend the Law on the Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures

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Laws and Policies

CCLW

CCLW national policies

Act on the Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures

Plan adopted

climate neutral goal adopted

Law passed

Amendment

Entry into force

Date latest amendment entered into force

Date last amended

<ul>
<li>This Law is one of the two key climate laws in Japan along with the Energy Conservation Law. The purpose of the Law is to reduce emissions of GHGs derived from anthropogenic activities. GHGs are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, HFC, PFC and sulphur hexafluoride. The Council of Ministers for Global Environmental Conservation is established under the Law. The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister, and vice-chairmen are the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minister of the Environment and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Other members consist of all ministers other than vice-chairmen. Designated emitters, whose workplaces contain more than 1,500kL of oil equivalent of energy annually, are mandated to develop the Plan for Global Warming Countermeasure. While there is no reduction obligation under this law, annual emission of GHGs are reported to the Minister in charge. Emission reporting under this framework equals that of the reporting under the Energy Conservation Law. This Law stipulates that the State is responsible for implementing necessary measures to introduce Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) in Japan. It adds that examination and discussion of the design and the utilization of ETS starts upon the enactment of this Law. This Law also provides that the national and local governments are responsible for development and implementation of plans to reduce GHG emissions. The National Government adopted the <a href="https://www.env.go.jp/press/files/en/676.pdf" target="_self">Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures</a> in May 2016, with the explicit aim to achieve the mid-term target set in Japan's INDC (2015) 26% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 (baseline 2013). In addition, the Plan also sets a long term goal of 80% GHG emissions reduction by 2050. Prefectural and municipal governments are also required to create local plans to reduce GHG emissions. The plans should include: Duration of the plan</li>
<li>Goals</li>
<li>Measures and actions intended for implementation</li>
<li>Promotion of solar PV, wind and other renewable energies</li>
<li>Measures and actions taken by business professionals and citizens to reduce GHG emission</li>
<li>Promotion of public transport use, conservation of green space and other GHG emission reduction measures</li>
</ul>

On June 4th, 2021, the Diet approved the amending Act 54/2021 introducing a net zero target by 2050 into the law.

Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures 

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

The activities of industries involved in the production, distribution, and sale of energy, including electricity, gas, and renewables.

Slow onset events evolve gradually from incremental changes over many years or from increased frequency or intensity of recurring events. As defined in the Cancun Adaptation Framework (2010), slow onset events include risks and impacts from rising temperatures, desertification, biodiversity loss, land and forest degradation, glacial retreat, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and salinization.

A target to reduce the prevalence of a greenhouse gas over a specific time frame

A commitment to balance GHG emissions with removal by a certain point in time, effectively reducing the net emissions to zero

The release of heat-trapping gases, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and industry.

This sector involves managing waste treatment, sanitation, pollution control and environmental cleanup.

Activities of businesses and institutions that provide financial services and products to individuals and organisations.

Cabinet Decisions for a Law Proposal to Partially Amend the Law on the Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures

Target

Risk

Renewable energy

Greenhouse gas

Economic sector