Japan Rules Out Target Carbon Cut Of 40% By 2020 - Too Expensive - ENN

[hatrack]

Japan has ruled out cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2020 from 1990 -- the most ambitious possible action according to a reference target set by a U.N. panel of climate scientists.

Agreeing a 2020 target to curb greenhouse gases is one of the most contentious aspects for rich countries of U.N. climate talks meant to end with a new treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol in December this year.

Japan is expected to announce its 2020 goal by June. The country argues that because it is so energy efficient already, it will be more expensive to meet the same emissions-cutting target of other rich countries.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said a target for rich countries to cut their greenhouse gases by 25-40 percent by 2020 is compatible with ambitious climate action.

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http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/39312