Scenario analysis of energy saving and CO₂ emissions reduction potentials to ratchet up Japanese mitigation target in 2030 in the residential sector

This paper assesses to what extent CO₂ emissions from electricity in the residential sector can be further reduced in Japan beyond its post-2020 mitigation target (known as "Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)"). The paper examines the reduction potential of electricity demand and CO₂ emissions in the residential sector by conducting a scenario analysis. Electricity consumption scenarios are set up using a time-series regression model, and used to forecast the electricity consumption patterns to 2030. The scenario analysis also includes scenarios that reduce electricity consumption through enhanced energy efficiency and energy saving measures. The obtained results show that Japan can reduce electricity consumption and CO₂ emissions in the residential sector in 2030 more than the Japanese post-2020 mitigation target indicates. At the maximum, the electricity consumption could be reduced by 35 TWh, which contributes to 55.4 MtCO₂ of emissions reduction in 2030 compared to 2013 if the voluntarily targeted CO₂ intensity of electricity is achieved. The result implies that Japan has the potential to ratchet up post-2020 mitigation targets discussed under the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). - Highlights: • Further reduction of electricity consumption is possible beyond Japan's post-2020 mitigation target. • Energy saving efforts by households and incentives to reduce electricity demands are required. • Improvement of CO₂ intensity from electricity is a key factor in the reduction of CO₂ emissions.