Assessment for the implementation of a national greenhouse gas inventory: the case of Japan

Abstract

PurposeBy applying a framework for implementation analysis, the authors aim to examine the evolution of Japan's national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, assess the extent to which each condition for effective implementation has been met and identify factors that may contribute to transparency-related capacity building in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe case description was based on interviews and document reviews. The authors coded the collected data into the variables as identified under the framework for implementation analysis, and they evaluated the effectiveness according to the code of assessment.FindingsFirst, this study finds that the development of the endogenous research base can contribute to the continuous improvement in GHG inventories. Second, it highlights the boundary-spanning role played by a private-sector actor's facilitation of interactions among relevant actors. Third, the assessment revealed the criticality of the causal linkage, pointing to the importance of a commitment to emission reductions as a strong driver for the quality improvement of GHG inventories. Lastly, this study indicates a lack of data compatibility, which may potentially hinder effective policy implementation, suggesting the importance of integrated development of the national statistics.Originality/valueThe primary contribution of this paper lies in its use of a framework for implementation analysis, creating new possibilities for both practitioners and researchers. The present study pays attention to the fact that the national GHG inventory preparation, although a highly technical task, is crucial to each country's climate change policy implementation, an aspect that has not been focused on by prior studies.