2014 Volume 10 Issue 3 Pages 270-278
Objective. The objective of this paper is introduction of “Low Carbon Society Scenarios” in the world, Asia and Japan.
Results and Discussion. The long term target for the global mean temperature is set to be lower than 2 degree centigrade compared to the pre-industrial level, and the IPCC 5th Assessment Report introduced the emission levels in 2050 and 2100 to achieve this target. In order to achieve the emission target, the mitigation pathways in Asia and Japan were investigated under the research programs of the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund, the Ministry of the Environment. For Asian region and Japan, the 10 actions and the 12 actions were proposed, respectively. Although the mitigation targets in Asian countries are not sufficient to achieve the 2 degree target, some of the countries have attempted to assess the mitigation actions toward the 2 degree target using their own integrated assessment model. In the case of Japan, the low carbon society scenarios in 2050, and the corresponding mitigation target in 2020, have been assessed quantitatively. After the East Japan Great Earthquake, the mitigation target for 2020 is revised to 3.8% reduction compared to the 2005 level under the condition of zero electricity generation from nuclear power plants. From the viewpoint of long-term target of Japan, this new target for 2020 does not seem to be sufficient.
Conclusions. The Low Carbon Society Scenarios have been globally shared, but actual pathways toward the low carbon society are not yet concrete. In order to realize the Low Carbon Society, we will have to take substantial measures immediately.
