Japan Sets Ambitious New Climate and Energy Targets

Japan's government has adopted new decarbonization targets and an updated energy plan. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 70% from 2013 levels in the next 15 years. This initiative is part of a strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The new plan aims for a 60% emission reduction by 2035 and 73% by 2040. Previously, a 46% reduction was targeted for 2030.

Under the plan, nuclear power will contribute 20% of Japan's energy by 2040, up from 8.5% in 2023. Renewable energy is set to expand to 40% to 50% from nearly 23%. Coal-fired power is to decrease to 30% to 40% from nearly 70%. This plan marks the end of Japan's post-Fukushima nuclear phaseout policy.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, visited the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant to ensure safety before it restarts two of its seven reactors. This restart would aid the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, amid high decommissioning costs at Fukushima Daiichi. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)