JPA Published the 2023 Follow-up Survey on the Progress in its “Carbon Neutrality Action Plan”
Japan Paper Association (JPA) formulated the “Environmental Action Plan” in FY2012, following the “Committed Action Plan on the Environment” between FY2008 and FY2012. Under the “Committed Action Plan on the Environment,” JPA reduced fossil energy intensity and CO2 emission intensity from FY1990 as follows:
1) Fossil energy intensity: 24.8% reduction (initial target: 20% reduction)
2) CO2 emissions intensity: 20.3% reduction (initial target: 16% reduction)
Following the Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment, JPA formulated “Action Plan for Low Carbon Society” in FY2013, which was renamed to the “Carbon Neutrality Action Plan” in 2021, and has strengthened its measures on CO2 reduction to make efforts toward 2030 with its target of 38% CO2 reduction (7.15 million tons of CO2 reduction) from the base year FY2013.
We have been conducting the annual follow-up surveys on the progress in the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan since 2014. The 10th follow-up survey in FY2022 has been compiled as follows:
1. The 2030 Targets in the JPA’s Carbon Neutrality Action Plan
- Fossil energy-derived CO2 reduction: 38% reduction from the base year FY2013
- Afforestation areas in Japan and abroad: 650,000 ha
- Summary of the Follow-up Survey
1) CO2 emissions from fossil energy in FY2022: 14.34 million tons.
2) CO2 reduction from the base year FY2013: 4.49 million tons that is 23.8% of 18.83 million tons, CO2 emissions from fossil energy in FY2013. The progress rate of CO2 reduction is 63% in ten years of the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan with its target of 38% CO2 reduction from the base year FY2013.
3) In FY2022, the energy-derived CO2 emissions decreased from the previous year, which attributed to a decrease in production compared to FY2021 and improvements in energy intensity and CO2 emission intensity.
4) Capital investments in fuel conversion (LNG, wastes, biomass) increased in FY2022. Further reduction of CO2 emissions is expected since large-scale capital investments are planned for fuel conversion and energy-efficient facilities during the next three years.
5) The worldwide afforestation areas of JPA’s member companies in FY2022 increased to 524,000 ha by 14,000 ha compared to FY2021 for the first time in 11 years. Further efforts are needed to achieve the 2030 target in afforestation areas, 650,000 ha, which is 375,000 ha increase compared to FY1990.
3. Challenges and Initiatives Towards the 2030 Goals
- To achieve 38% reduction of the energy-derived CO2 emissions compared to FY2013, it is obviously necessary to accelerate the energy conversion from coal to “carbon neutral” fuels.
- Furthermore, it is also necessary to enhance drastic initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and stimulate discussion among relevant JPA’s committees on introducing innovative technologies of energy saving and conversion. Specifically, we need to seek strong support from the government for introduction and promotion of various innovative technologies such as CCS/CCU and hydrogen, in addition to capital investments regarding fuel conversion.
Source: ICFPA Quarterly Newsletter – October 2023
Back to NEWS:
BUSINESS l CLIMATE CHANGE l CONSTRUCTION l EDUCATION l ENVIRONMENT l FORESTRY ENGINEERING l FORESTRY l GOVERNMENT l INTERNATIONAL l LAND l RECYCLING l RESEARCH l ROOFING l SHORT HAUL l SILVICULTURE l SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY l TRANSPORT l TREATMENT l TRANSPORT l VALUE ADDING
