Japan
Japan eyes weak climate goals as nuclear plans fade
NEWS: Atomic energy’s role in power generation won’t recover to pre-Fukushima levels, opening door for coal and gas
Japan’s mooted climate target “inadequate” say analysts
NEWS: Tokyo’s investments in coal power will lock in emissions growth, experts warn, as it mulls climate plan for UN deal
Japan unlikely to target tough CO2 cuts for Paris – reports
NEWS: Sources say government is divided over strategy for long term carbon cuts, with industry and environment ministries in disagreement
Green Climate Fund urged to ban coal funding
NEWS: Revelations Japan is using climate funds to invest in coal power put UN’s flagship fund under pressure to agree fossil fuel ban
China and US drove renewable investment growth in 2014
NEWS: A slumping oil price did not dampen enthusiasm for clean energy in 2014, as data shows global investment grew 16%
2014 “warmest” year since 1891
BLOG: Japan Meteorological Agency says last year was +0.27°C above the 1981-2010 average and warmest since 1891
UN climate talks boost as Green Fund nears $10 billion target
NEWS: US and Japan offer $4.5 billion at G20 talks in Brisbane as efforts to secure fund’s future gather pace
US and Japan set to make Green Climate Fund pledges
NEWS: The US is poised to pledge at least $2.5 billion to help poor countries tackle global warming, with Japan contributing $1-1.5bn
Legal elements in proposed UN climate deal find mixed support
NEWS: New submissions to UN indicate preference for more general rules on accounting and monitoring emissions
How climate change affected the world’s weather in 2013
NEWS: Scientific review shows heatwaves in China, Japan, Korea and Australia were made more likely by global warming
Japan, Australia urge developing countries to do more on climate
NEWS: Leaders in Tokyo and Canberra say it’s time world’s emerging economies take responsibility for tackling rising carbon emissions
UK and Japan outline plans for climate cooperation
NEWS: No news on Japan’s 2015 climate target, as countries reveal new joint research in energy sector
Tokyo to reach CO2 targets without its carbon trading scheme
City meets goals mainly as result of increased energy efficiency drive after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster
Japan continues to fund coal despite increasing US pressure
Japan’s role as world’s biggest funder of coal since 2007 dents US-led efforts to curb finance for the fossil fuel
Japan proposes huge smart meter roll-out to cut emissions
UN submission stresses country is committed to addressing climate change, despite recent decision to ditch 2020 commitments
Protests halt Chevron fracking operations in Romania
Monday’s top 5: Chevron postpones fracking operations, Australian fire service warned it should double numbers, and Japan signals return to nuclear
UK slams Japan’s decision to slash climate target
Japan has revised its target to cut emissions which would see them rise by 3% on 1990 levels by 2020
Japan set to stun UN talks by scrapping climate target
Japanese government is expected to reduce its emissions targets to 3.1% above 1990 levels, backtracking from previous climate commitments
Japan to set 3.8% 2020 emissions reduction target – report
Nikkei newspaper says new goal would represent a 3% increase in the discharge of greenhouse gases from 1990 levels
Japanese grid faces clean energy ‘congestion’ dilemma
Investment in solar surged 73% to $16 billion in 2012, but Bloomberg analysts warn government needs to develop more flexible electricity grid