2019-11-29

Japan’s National Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Fiscal Year 2018 (Preliminary Figures)

The Ministry of the Environment and the National Institute for Environmental Studies have released Japan’s National Greenhouse Gas Emissions (preliminary figures) for fiscal year (FY) 2018.
Total emissions in FY2018 were 1,244 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (Mt CO2 eq.), a 3.6% decrease compared to those of FY2017 (an 11.8% decrease compared to FY2013 and a 10.0% decrease compared to FY2005).
The main factor for the decrease in emissions as compared to FY2017 is the decrease in energy-related CO2 emissions due to the reduction in electricity-origin CO2 emissions as a result of the low-carbonization of electricity, and reduced energy consumption (energy conservation, warmer winter).
 

Japan’s total greenhouse gas emissions in FY2018 were 1,244 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (Mt CO2 eq.).

This means a decrease of 3.6% (47 Mt CO2 eq.) compared to FY2017 emissions (1,291 Mt CO2 eq.) and a decrease of 11.8% (166 Mt CO2 eq.) compared to FY2013 emissions (1,410 Mt CO2 eq.). The main factor for the decrease in emissions in FY2018 as compared to FY2017 and FY2013 is the decrease in energy-related CO2 emissions due to the reduction in electricity-origin CO2 emissions as a result of low-carbon electricity, and reduced energy consumption (energy conservation, warmer winter).

Furthermore, this means a decrease of 10.0% (138 Mt CO2 eq.) compared to the FY2005 emissions (1,382 Mt CO2 eq.). The main factor for the decrease in emissions in FY2018 as compared to FY2005 is the decrease in energy-related CO2 emissions due to reduced energy consumption (energy conservation).

In contrast, hydrofluorocarbon emissions from refrigerants that substitute for ozone-depleting substances are increasing every year.


* These preliminary figures for FY2018 were estimated based on annual figures in various statistics. Some annual figures from FY2017 were temporarily used in place of FY2018 figures that have yet to be released. Moreover, some estimation methodologies are currently being reconsidered in order to make more accurate estimations of emissions. As such, the final figures to be released in April 2020 may differ from the preliminary figures in this summary. Removals by forest and other carbon sinks will also be estimated and announced at the time of the release of the final figures.

Attached File

November 29, 2019

Ministry of the Environment
Government of Japan

Greenhouse Gas Inventory Office of Japan
National Institute for Environmental Studies