Japan Makes Progress Toward Ratifying the Paris Agreement

Japan has made significant progress toward ratifying the Paris Agreement on global warming, with the paperwork passing through both the Lower House and Cabinet on November 8. To pass the agreement, an international framework for curbing climate change, Japan must agree to make efforts to lower its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent from 2013 levels by 2030. Various reports and accountability systems mandated in the legal framework will monitor Japan’s progress. Many are surprised that the agreement is passing through the first stages of ratification because they view the goals of the accord as unrealistic for a country still facing significant opposition to rebooting nuclear power.    On November 4, the Paris Agreement officially went into effect, with over 100 signatories and a record time for passing an international agreement. All of the other major carbon emitters, including China, the United States, India, and the European Union approved the agreement months ago. Japan, however, has delayed the ratification process and missed the official deadline, as debates continue in Tokyo.

If the agreement is passed through the final stages of ratification, Japan will aim to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by “switching to more efficient power generation and [promoting] the use of energy-saving light bulbs,” and employing other strategies. However, to meet the 2030 goal of reduced emissions, Japan will not only have to expand its use of renewable energy but also maintain its dependence on nuclear power. A senior official at a major utility stated, “It will be difficult to achieve the target unless more nuclear power plants restart operations.”  To meet the Paris Agreement, around 20 percent of Japan’s electricity will have to come from nuclear power. However, with the public still cautious about rebooting nuclear plants after the disaster in Sendai in 2011 and a considerable number of anti-nuclear officials elected over the past year, Japan may still face significant challenge in its last stages of implementation.