温暖化ガス削減 「２５％」は撤回し現実的目標を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 25, 2012)
Set new, realistic target for greenhouse gas reductions
温暖化ガス削減　「２５％」は撤回し現実的目標を（5月24日付・読売社説）

The government should immediately withdraw Japan's target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.
　「２０２０年までに１９９０年比で２５％削減」という日本の温室効果ガス削減目標は、速やかに撤回すべきだ。

This ill-advised target spelled out by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at a U.N. meeting three years ago is totally unrealistic. Estimates released Wednesday by the Environment Ministry's Central Environment Council are obvious proof of this.
　３年前に鳩山元首相が国連の会合で打ち出したこの無謀な目標が、どれほど非現実的か。それを如実に示しているのが、環境省の中央環境審議会が公表した試算である。

The council compiled the estimates in the wake of the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. It calculated reduction rates in greenhouse gases in 2020 based on five different ratios of nuclear power in relation to the country's total power generation, from 0 percent to a maximum of 35 percent.
　東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故を受けて実施した試算は、将来の全発電量に占める原発の比率を、０％から最大３５％まで５段階に分け、２０年時点の温室効果ガスの削減率をはじき出した。

Nuclear power plants, which emit almost no carbon dioxide when they generate electricity, are an important energy source in terms of fighting global warming.
　発電時に二酸化炭素をほとんど出さない原発は、地球温暖化対策上、重要なエネルギーである。

The estimates show Japan may be able to cut greenhouse gas emissions by a maximum of only 19 percent in 2020 from 1990 levels, even if the ratio of nuclear power generation is raised to 35 percent from the 26 percent level before the nuclear crisis and energy-saving policies are thoroughly implemented.
　試算では、事故直前に２６％だった原発比率を３５％に引き上げ、省エネルギー政策を徹底した場合でさえ、削減率は９０年比で最大１９％にとどまった。

===

More nuclear power unlikely

Currently, the country has no operating nuclear reactors and there are no prospects of them being restarted. Nuclear reactors must be reactivated soon to ensure a stable supply of electricity, but it can hardly be assumed that the ratio of nuclear power generation will be higher than before the nuclear crisis.
　現在、稼働する原発はゼロとなり、再稼働のメドすら立っていない。電力の安定供給を図るため、早期稼働が求められるが、将来の原発比率を事故前より引き上げることは、およそ考えにくい。

We can safely say that achieving the 25 percent reduction target will be difficult even if purchases of overseas emissions quotas and the absorption of greenhouse gases by forests in Japan are taken into account.
　海外からの排出枠購入や国内の森林のガス吸収分を加えても、２５％削減は達成困難と言えよう。

As the Kyoto Protocol will expire at the end of this year, a U.N. conference will enter full-scale discussions to formulate new rules with the aim of putting them into effect in 2020.
　京都議定書は、今年いっぱいで期限切れとなり、今後、２０２０年発効を目指して、新ルール作りが国連の会議で本格化する。

If Japan continues to tout the 25 percent reduction, which has already become an empty promise, there is no doubt it will be cornered into a disadvantageous situation in negotiations to decide on a new international framework for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
　空手形と化した「２５％削減」を掲げたままでは、排出削減の新たな国際枠組みを決める交渉でも、日本が不利な状況に追い込まれるのは間違いない。

Japan's commitment to the 25 percent reduction was originally premised on building a fair framework with the participation of all major greenhouse gas emitters--including China and the United States, the world's two largest greenhouse producers--and reaching an agreement on ambitious targets.
　そもそも日本が「２５％削減」に取り組むにあたっては、２大排出国の中国、米国を含む「すべての主要排出国による公平な枠組みの構築」と「意欲的な目標の合意」が前提条件になっている。

===

Heavy burden looms

However, Japan could be forced to assume obligations for extremely high reductions, as the 25 percent figure has taken on a life of its own.
　だが、数値だけが独り歩きしている現状では、日本は極めて高い削減義務を負わされかねない。

The government therefore needs to set a new, feasible target so it will not repeat the failure of the Kyoto Protocol, under which Japan shouldered unfair reduction obligations.
　不公平な削減義務を負った京都議定書の失敗を繰り返さないためにも、実現可能な目標を再設定する必要がある。

The government plans to announce a new energy strategy this summer. It is essential to decide appropriate ratios for electricity generated by different power sources, including nuclear power, and map out a target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions based on these ratios.
　政府は今夏、新たなエネルギー戦略を打ち出す方針だ。原発を含めた適切な電力の比率を決め、それに基づき、温室効果ガスの削減目標も策定することが肝要だ。

Curbing greenhouse gas emissions is important to achieving energy conservation, but an unduly strict reduction target would adversely affect production. Such a target also could hinder reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
　省エネを進めるうえで、排出削減は重要だが、厳しすぎる削減目標は、むしろ生産活動に悪影響を及ぼす。東日本大震災からの復興の足かせにもなりかねない。

We urge the government to set a target that will not dampen Japan's vitality.
　日本の活力をそぐことのない目標設定が求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 24, 2012)
（2012年5月24日01時32分 読売新聞）