## Part Two

## Current Environmental Issues and Environmental Conservation Measures by the Government

Part Two of the Quality of the Environment in Japan 2004 (White Paper) introduces the environmental conservation policies and measures implemented in FY 2003, based on the state of environmental problems and in line with the Basic Environment Plan. Part Two of this booklet will report on the issues and current state of environmental problems in the major fields. Chapters in Part Two of the Quality of the Environment in Japan 2004 are as follows:
Chapter One:	Conservation of the Global Atmospheric Environment
Chapter Two:	Conservation of the Atmospheric Environment (not including the global atmospheric environment)
Chapter Three:	Conservation of the Water, Soil, and Ground Environments
Chapter Four:	Measures and Policies related to the Material Cycle, including Waste and Recycling Measures
Chapter Five:	Measures for Chemical Substances
Chapter Six:	Conservation of the Natural Environment and Promoting Contact with Nature
Chapter Seven:	Basis of Various Measures, and Measures Facilitating the Participation of Various Actors and International Cooperation

### 1. Conservation of the Global Atmospheric Environment

## (1) Global Warming

In recent years, expanding human activities have discharged vast quantities of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases have enhanced the greenhouse effect and given rise to the threat of global warming.

According to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)—Climate Change 2001, the globally averaged surface temperature has risen approximately $ 0.6^{\circ} $ C in the 20th century and consequently, the average sea level has risen by 10–20 cm. The progress of global warming may have far-reaching and serious effects on the living environment of humans and the natural habitats of other living organisms. The sea level is projected to rise by 88 cm at the maximum between 1990 and 2100. According to observations conducted by the Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan has also experienced an increase of about $ 1.0^{\circ} $ C in its annual averaged temperature over the last one hundred years. The effects of global warming on the natural environment have already become apparent, as shown by the decrease in the sea-ice area in the Sea of Okhotsk and the range shifts of plants and animals.

Of the amounts of greenhouse gases emitted in Japan in FY 2002, carbon dioxide emission were 1,248 million tons, with a per capita emission of 9.79 tons. Compared to the FY 1990 figures, the total emission has increased by 11.2% and the per capita emission by 7.8%. A breakdown by sector shows that emission from the industrial sector has decreased by 1.7%, while that of the commercial and other

Annual Average Surface Temperature Anomalies in Japan from 1898 to 2003

Note: The bars represent annual values. The blue line indicates 5-year running mean of annual values. The red line shows the long-term trend.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

Kyoto Protocol

Developed countries set up their legally binding numerical targets.

History	Adopted in December 1997Ratified by Japan in June 2002
Targeted gases	$ CO_{2} $ , $ CH_{4} $ , $ N_{2}O $ , HFC, PFC, $ SF_{6} $
Base year	1990 (1995 for HFC, PFC, $ SF_{6} $ )
Commitment period	2008 - 2012
Targets	An aggregated reduction of at least 5% by developed countries:Japan-6%, United States-7%, and EU-8%

Source: Ministry of the Environment