Decarbonization Day Decarbonization in Japan

	Question	Answer	Validation timestamp
1	Which gas accounts for 90% of Japan's greenhouse gas emissions?	CO2 constitutes around 90% of Japan's greenhouse gas emissions.[1]
		Have an alternative answer? Type it here, add a new line for every alternative answer. Co-validated answers will be timestamped.
2	What is the goal of the Japanese government for carbon neutrality?	Japan aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 46% in 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.[2]
		Have an alternative answer? Type it here, add a new line for every alternative answer. Co-validated answers will be timestamped.
3	What are CO2 emissions per real GDP and how have they evolved over time in Japan?	CO2 emissions per real GDP measure energy intensity and CO2 emission intensity. Energy intensity assesses how much energy is used to produce one unit of real GDP: the lower the energy intensity, the more efficient the source is. CO2 emission intensity estimates the CO2 emitted to produce one unit of energy: the lower the CO2 emission intensity is, the more decarbonised the energy source is. Following the 1970s global energy crisis, energy intensity improved in Japan until the 1990s, thanks to the introduction of energy-saving technologies and more durable consumer goods. The improvement slowed to a halt in the 2000s due to capital constraints following the dot-com bubble and began improving again in the mid-2000s. Similarly, CO2 emission intensity improved until the 1990s, then stagnated until the mid-2000s. CO2 emission intensity increased following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, due to the closure of nuclear power plants across the country and the subsequent increased use of fossil fuels to power the country. [3]
		Have an alternative answer? Type it here, add a new line for every alternative answer. Co-validated answers will be timestamped.
4	How does the Japanese government plan to reduce the CO2 emissions?	According to the 6th Strategic Energy Plan formulated by the Japanese Government, reducing the country's emissions can be achieved through mitigated energy intensity and emission intensity. First, the plan forecasts a decrease in overall energy consumption thanks to an increase in energy conversation. Second, the plan highlights the change needed in the energy mix (the sources of energy that power a country) to decrease emissions. To decarbonise its economy and reach this target, Japan aims to increase its share of renewables, restore nuclear power sources and decrease its share of fossil fuels. The country plans to prioritise fossil fuels with lower emissions such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). [4]
		Have an alternative answer? Type it here, add a new line for every alternative answer. Co-validated answers will be timestamped.
5	What are the transition risks involved in Japan's decarbonisation process and how do they affect the economy?	Transition risks occur when a country shifts to a low-carbon economy. These changes will affect the economy of the country. The main transition risks for Japan are energy prices and productivity. Decarbonisation will affect energy prices: a shift in the sources of energy required to produce electricity will involve a decrease in fossil fuels and an increase in renewables and nuclear power. Fluctuations in the price of renewables and fossil fuels would have a reasonably large impact on the real economy. Decarbonisation will also affect productivity: an improvement in energy intensity means that less energy is consumed, leading to more efficient and productive use of resources. Improvement in CO2 emission intensity is less straightforward. On the one hand, the cost to comply with environmental regulations might decrease productivity. On the other hand, goods that emit less CO2 might be positively viewed by consumers, thus creating added value. [5]
		Have an alternative answer? Type it here, add a new line for every alternative answer. Co-validated answers will be timestamped.
6	What is the main source of renewable energy predicted to be in 2030 in Japan?	Solar power is expected to be the principal source of renewable energy in Japan for the foreseeable future.[6]
		Have an alternative answer? Type it here, add a new line for every alternative answer. Co-validated answers will be timestamped.

Click on the left of the last row to create a new row

Select two fields to merge them into one single case

Click on editing tab to modify font size and type

Click on link icon to add links