Japan eyes 50% greenhouse gas cut (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has said the world should halve emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.

It is the first time Japan has set a firm target to replace the present Kyoto protocol, which expires in 2012.

The plan is believed to be less demanding than other proposals from European countries such as the UK.

But Mr Abe said it was important to come up with a scheme flexible enough to win over those countries which are among the world's biggest polluters.
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Different countries might need to take different kinds of measures, he said, adding that Japan would help by sharing the knowledge that has allowed it to become the most energy efficient country in the world.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6688279.stm

Emphasis mine.

So now we're outsourcing the concept of leadership? When the US finally joins in the post-Kyoto efforts, we will be seen as reluctant latecomers, not leaders.

[Eugene]

1. This is just another version of the AP6 "market-based" approach.

Japan is a member of the six-nation Asia-Pacific "alternative"
climate change bloc along with the United States, China, and
Australia. They favor fighting global warming by marketing
"green" technology rather tougher measures like carbon caps.

It needs to be pointed out that Abe's "Cool Earth 50" plan has
non-binding targets and specifies no concrete measures to
achieve them. It is a vague and "flexible" vision statement.
It looks progressive only in contrast with BushCo's strident
rejectionism.

"Sharing" green technology is the one concession to climate
change the Bushies have made. They are all to happy for
GE to sell nuke plants, solar panels, and wind turbines, and
"clean coal" technology overseas.

Here's a related Reuters article:
Japan PM's climate plan seen lacking teeth

If Shinzo Abe wants to show leadership, he can propose measures
that actually cost something.