Japan won’t extend Kyoto commitments to cut carbon emissions after 2012

BONN, Germany – Japan has affirmed it will not extend its legal commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to cut greenhouse gases after they expire in 2012.

Japan has said it aims to reduce carbon emissions 25 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, but it will not make that pledge part of a binding agreement unless all other major economies join in an emissions-reduction treaty.

Japan’s chief delegate to climate talks Akira Yamada said Thursday the 1997 Kyoto agreement has not done enough to cut global emissions.

The protocol commits nearly 40 countries to specific reduction targets by 2012. Besides Japan, Russia and Canada also have said they will not extend their commitments.

The United States, China, India and other big emitters have no Kyoto obligations.