Japan

Trees improve city dwellers' quality of life by reducing smog, preventing erosion, supporting wildlife and sheltering buildings from heat and cold. On International Day of Forests, Sarah Weber looks at how Tokyo, Belfast and Washington, D.C. have integrated trees into their urban landscapes.

To really understand what each country’s climate plan means for national emissions—and to trust that they’re on track to meet it—you need clear and complete information. A new paper finds that eight top emitters could go further in creating transparent plans.

In one of the least aggressive climate action plans of any developed country to date, Japan announced its commitment to reduce its emissions 26 percent below 2013 levels by 2030.

Some reports say Japan will set a target to reduce its greenhouse gases 20 percent below 2013 levels by 2030. Research shows that the country can go much further, achieving reductions of 31-37 percent by 2030.

Coverage of Japan’s coal funding has sparked an important debate about the role of international climate finance in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Recently the world took two giant steps toward reaching a global agreement to fight climate change in 2015: a landmark U.S.-China accord and a $4.5 billion pledge to the Green Climate Fund by the United States and Japan.

But there are some conditions attached.