Thematic Section: Green Transition and National Efforts towards Net-Zero Target: Analysis of the 2030 emissions reduction targets of the previous and current nationally determined contributions of Japan, and a comparison between countries using energy-technology and energy-economic models

The Paris Agreement requires each participating country to prepare its nationally determined contributions (NDCs). In 2020, Japan submitted a 26 per cent emissions reduction target for 2030, and resubmitted a 46 per cent target (relative to 2013) in 2021. This paper provides an assessment of the Japanese emissions reduction efforts vis-à-vis other NDCs and international comparisons among countries using several different indicators. The carbon dioxide marginal abatement costs in Japan are expected to be approximately $450/tCO2 eq in 2030, which is consistent with the 1.5°C pathways. Costs in the European and North American countries are at similar levels.