Chapter 2 - Environmental Policies Post the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change: Evidence from the US and Japan

Abstract

Following introduction of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change in 2005, countries around the world have been changing their environmental policies in order to reduce carbon emissions. After implementation of these policies in Europe, Asia, the US, and Australia, a number of studies are emerging from these regions, yet little is known about the environmental policies of the US and Japan. In this chapter, we look at the main environmental agencies of each of these countries, namely the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in the US and the Ministry of the Environment (MoE) in Japan. We examine and analyze the major enacted laws of the EPA and MoE that have been designed to achieve environmental protection, restoration, and preservation, and to protect human health and the health of flora and fauna. And we also discuss various initiatives implemented by the two agencies to protect local and global environments, such as those aimed at reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and climate change, protection of air and water quality, removal of toxins from the environment, more efficient use of resources, and recycling, among others.