Japan emitted the largest amount of greenhouse gases on record during the last fiscal year. Officials at the Environment Ministry blame the rise on increased emissions of carbon dioxide from manufacturing and other plants. They also point out the increased use of fossil fuels since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Preliminary figures released by the ministry on Thursday show the country produced close to 1.4 billion tons of heat-trapping gases in fiscal 2013. That's an increase of 1.6 percent from the figure a year earlier and the most since comparable data became available in 1990.
The government is trying to cut emissions by 3.8 percent from 2005 levels by fiscal 2020. It set the target after considering the fact that all the country's nuclear plants remain offline. However, fiscal 2013 emissions represent a 1.3 percent increase from 2005 levels.
Ministry officials plan to strengthen measures to achieve the reduction goal. They say they will promote the introduction of renewable energy sources and conservation measures.
◆emission 排出
◆carbon dioxide 二酸化炭素
◆preliminary figure 速報値
◆heat-trapping gas 温室効果ガス
◆represent 示す、～となる
◆conservation 節約、保全
