Japan Aims To Be Carbon Free By 2050

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s Previously Announced Pledge For The Country To Go Carbon Free Within The Next Few Decades

Japan Aims To Be Carbon Free By 2050
By REBECCA KLAR

Japan adopted a climate plan that aims for the country to go carbon free by 2050, The Associated Press reported Friday.  The “green growth strategy” intends to achieve Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s previously announced pledge for the country to go carbon free within the next few decades, according to the news service.  The strategy adopted by Japan reportedly projects a 30 to 50 percent increase in electricity demand, proposes a three-fold increase in energy from renewable sources, and calls to maximize the use of nuclear power.

Gas-powered vehicles would be eliminated in 15 years as part of the plan. It also identified 14 industries, including offshore wind, hydrogen and fuel ammonia, and a roadmap for each sector’s growth.  The government, under the strategy, is to provide tax incentives to encourage investment in technology. It projects an annual gown of 90 trillion yen, about $870 billion, by 2030, and 190 trillion yen, about $1.89 trillion, by 2050, according to the AP.

The government will also offer tax incentives to companies, including a 2 trillion yen, about $19 billion, green fund, the news service noted.  In the U.S., President-elect Joe Biden recently laid out his climate goals and announced nominees for key climate and energy posts. Biden’s goals include creating 1 million clean energy jobs in the auto industry and implementing a carbon-free electric sector by 2035.

This news was originally published at The Hill