U.N. tells Japan to cut emissions

TOKYO, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer told Japanese leaders they need to set some aggressive targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Six options for Japan's emission cuts were released recently, including a 25 percent reduction by 2020 compared with 1990 levels, Japan Times reports.

The options were compiled by a study team led by Prime Minister Taro Aso.

De Boer said while it is not his job to set a target for Japan, industrialized countries need to reduce their emissions by between 25 percent and 40 percent by 2020 to prevent serious damage.

On its current track Japan is not likely to meet its Kyoto Protocol goal of 6 percent emissions reduction by 2010.