Expert Panel Recommends ETS for Japan

On 31 January 2016, an Expert Panel advising the Japan Environment Ministry on long-term climate action recommended that the national government should introduce both a carbon tax and an ETS in order to achieve its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 (Japan Times).

The government is set to announce a new climate change plan in early 2016 to meet its 2030 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 26% below 2013 levels (Reuters). The plan will be informed by input from the Environment Ministry Panel as well as input from a second expert panel advising the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A national ETS will be carefully considered by both panels.