WWF Scenario for Solving the Global Warming Problem Index for 2010 and 2020

Nearly four years have passed since COP3 or the Kyoto Conference was held in December 1997. At the Kyoto Conference, the developed countries, for the first time approved the resolution to set up timetable and quantitative targets to reduce emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). On the road towards the Kyoto, there were intense debates over how much reduction would be possible. The AOSIS or the Alliance of Small Island States, threatened by rising sea levels due to global warming, insisted at a very early stage, that the developed countries should reduce emissions by 20% from the 1990 level. The EU took initiative in the negotiations by agreeing to a 15% reduction. The United States and Japan did not clarify the target reduction quantity till the very end. And finally when their proposed reduction plan was presented, they set the lowest target for CO2, i.e. 0%. In autumn of 1997 prior to the Kyoto Conference, before the government proposal was publicized, a number of citizens organizations including WWF presented a reduction plan by a large margin based on a reduction scenario drawn up by civil society initiatives. WWF publicized “Key Technology Policies to Reduce CO2 Emission in Japan” (1) in which it was shown possible to reduce emissions by 15% by 2010 from the 1990 level by the latest technologies available then. However, the Japanese government insisted the position of the 0% reduction of CO2 emissions, or to stabilize the 1990 emission level. Even after the 6% target was set for Japan in the Kyoto Conference, the government did not change its position. If the 0% reduction of CO2 is definite, then how does the government plan to reach the target of 6%? Soon after the Kyoto Conference, the Fundamental Principles to Promote Global Warming Measures was adopted in which the following reduction plan was presented.