Cool Earth 50
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Cool Earth 50 (also known as Cool Earth) is a plan developed by Japan to reduce global CO2 emissions 50% by 2050, which was discussed at the 34th G8 summit. Cool Earth 50 is planned to be a framework that would continue towards the goals set forth in the Kyoto Protocols. This plan includes three proposals: a long-term strategy, a mid-term strategy and launching a national campaign for achieving the Kyoto Protocol Target.[1]
The plan was first proposed on May 24, 2007, at an international conference called Asian Future[2] and was initiated by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.[2][3] The program's goal is to reduce current global green house emissions by 50% by the year 2050.[2] The goal of reduction was aimed particular towards the largest green house emitting countries The United States, China, Japan, and India. Also, for the major green house emitters to create a frame work for reduction.[4] Cool Earth aims at reducing green house emissions by improving technology in energy fields.[5] A large goal of Cool Earth is to promote economic prosperity through green technology and to encourage political stability domestically and internationally.[6]
Proposals
The proposals of this program include:
- A long-term strategy for global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Propose three principles for establishing an international framework for addressing global warming from 2013 onward.
- To launch a national campaign to ensure Japan achieves the Kyoto Protocol goal.[7]
In addition, the proposal sets to make technological advancements in:
- Zero-emissions coal-fired power generation
- Reactors for nuclear power generation
- Technology for high-efficiency and low-cost solar power generation
- Technology for the use of hydrogen
- Ultra high energy efficiency technology[5]
Course 50
Course 50 is a CO2 reduction strategy to reduce CO2 emissions by 30%. The aim of Course 50 is to suppress CO2 emissions from blast furnaces and to capture CO2 from blast furnaces.[8] The goal is to reach reduction by the year 2030.[8] The programs first phase was initiated in the year 2008 and funded by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.The original budget was approximately 10 billion yen.[8] Course 50 is encouraging innovation in technology towards more effective CO2 capturing polymers, as well as temperature reduction and improved efficiency of blast furnaces in the steel industrious.[9]
Solar
Japan with Cool Earth has been expanding their solar power industry offering subsidies to improving solar powered infrastructure. The main research goal is to achieve a low cost high efficiency solar cell that offers a conversion efficiency of 40%.[10]
Hydrogen power
In 2009, Japan fitted over 100,000 homes with hydrogen powered fuel cells, improving its hydrogen powered infrastructure.[11]
