Japan Announces Pledge to Be Carbon Neutral by 2050

Japan Announces Pledge for Carbon Neutrality by 2050

Photo: Stock Photos from Anton_Medvedev/Shutterstock

The world’s third-largest economy has just joined the list of countries committed to a carbon-neutral future. Japan’s Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, recently appointed in September 2020, announced an ambitious carbon-neutral goal for the entire country by the year 2050.

Though similar goals have been announced across the world—including climate targets set by the European Union—Japan’s pledge has been met with some skepticism based on the country’s reliance on non-renewable energy. Suga did not address these doubts with a full plan but did emphasize a shift towards nuclear and renewable energies.

“We need to change our thinking to the view that taking assertive measures against climate change will lead to changes in industrial structure and the economy that will bring about growth,” Suga reminds. This statement followed a promise to focus on energy technologies that would help execute neutrality goals.

Japan Announces Pledge for Carbon Neutrality by 2050

Photo: Stock Photos from f11photo/Shutterstock

Japan’s newly announced commitment replaces looser carbon goals that were criticized for their vagueness, including 80% reduction by 2050 and an unclear metric for true carbon neutrality that would be reached sometime in the unspecified future. Criticism for Japan’s energy plan from 2018 also focused on an increase in nuclear energy as the consequences of the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown are still felt almost a decade later. Greenpeace Japan highlights that though the carbon neutrality goal is on the right track, a complete commitment to ending nuclear power is an important addition to plans for 2050.

“I declare we will aim to realize a decarbonized society,” Suga said in response to applause from his first address to parliament. Japan’s climate commitment may be the first step to introducing carbon recycling, solar energy, and other tools that will define the future of our global mission to combat climate change.

Japan’s Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide announced an ambitious carbon-neutral goal for the entire country by the year 2050.

Japan Announces Pledge for Carbon Neutrality by 2050

Photo: Stock Photos from Suwin/Shutterstock

h/t: [The Guardian]

Related Articles:

Canada Will Ban Plastic Bags, Straws, Cutlery, and Other Single-Use Plastics Starting in 2021

By 2035, Gas-Powered Cars Will No Longer Be Sold in California

Children's Letters Inspire LEGO to Make Their Products More Sustainable

France Bans the Use of Wild Animals in Traveling Circuses

Samantha Pires

Sam Pires is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She is also a freelance architectural designer. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from NJIT and is currently earning a Master in Architecture II from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Sam has design experience at multiple renowned architecture firms such as Gensler and Bjarke Ingels Group. She believes architecture should be more accessible to everyone and uses writing to tell unexpected stories about the built environment. You can connect with her online at @sampir.fi.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content