Japanese power suppliers reduced CO2 emissions in the April 2023-March 2024 fiscal year, because of increased use of nuclear and renewable power sources as well as higher thermal generation efficiency.
CO2 emissions by the country's power firms totalled 311mn t in 2023-24, equivalent to 0.421 kg/kWh, based on 738.2TWh of electricity sales which accounted for 91.4pc of the country's total power sales, according to preliminary data released by the electric power council for a low carbon society (ELCS) — a group of 61 Japanese power firms. The 2023-24 emissions were lower by nearly 5pc from 327mn t, or 0.437 kg/kWh, in 2022-23.
The ELCS is aiming to cut CO2 emissions to 0.25 kg/kWh by 2030-31, in line with the government's goal for all the country's power sources in the same fiscal year.
Japan's renewable power output — including hydropower generation — totalled 148TWh in 2023-24, up by 3.1pc from a year earlier, according to the country's trade and industry ministry Meti. Nuclear generation also rose by 50pc to 80TWh during the period. Renewable and nuclear accounted for 18pc and 10pc respectively of the country's total power generation. Thermal output fell by 6.5pc from a year earlier to 594TWh in 2023-24, but still accounted for 72pc in the power mix.
Japan's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2022-23 fell by 2.5pc from a year earlier to 1.135bn t of CO2, because of higher renewable power output and lower energy consumption, according to the environment ministry. This marked the lowest level in 33 years or since 1990-91, when Japan started recording its emissions data.
Japan's nationally determined contribution (NDC) targets for a 46pc reduction in its GHG emissions by 2030-31 against the 2013-14 levels. Tokyo is set to update and submit its new NDC with an emission reduction goal for 2035 in 2025.
