Technical Potential for Reducing CO2 Emission in Japan

Abstract

This paper describes the current CO2 emission in Japan and its prospects up to the year 2005. Several technical potentials including forestation for reducing CO2 emission are evaluated quantitatively. Major findings are: 1) In the reference scenario, the total CO2 emission would increase to a level of 300 million ton C/year in 2005, about 20% or 50 million ton C increment from the current level; 2) CO2 reduction potential of about 65 million ton C/year in 2005 is technically identified as a CO2 reduction scenario; 3) In the reduction scenario, the total CO2 emission in 2005 would be about 10% less than the current level while the C02 emission from industrial sector reduces and the emissions from residential/commercial and transportation sectors increase; 4) Some possible Japanese contributions for global efforts to cope with the greenhouse effect are identified.