Japan to push for more diverse decarbonisation approach

Japan is aiming to strengthen its co-operation with southeast Asian nations at the UN Cop 28 climate conference, and advocate that decarbonisation should be implemented through more diverse pathways.

These pathways should take into consideration the characteristics of each nation and region.

Japan is trying to address its challenges to simultaneously achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, economic growth, and stable energy supply, said the country's minister for trade and industry (Meti) Yasutoshi Nishimura on 28 November.

To attain these goals, Japan is attempting to strengthen its partnership with growing economies in southeast Asia which are still burning significant amounts of fossil fuels. The country is ready to support the energy transitions of these countries including Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, added Nishimura, by providing various technologies for developing hydrogen, ammonia and carbon capture and storage (CCS), and allowing for a "realistic pathway" to achieve carbon neutrality.

The minister's comments also imply that Japan and its southeast Asian partners should follow their own pathways to decarbonisation, instead of adhering to European guidelines that would require Japan to speed up renewable energy use and reduce fossil fuel use, if not eliminate it entirely.

Japanese bureaucrats have long been sceptical about promoting the European approach towards energy transition, which utilises wind and solar power, to Asian countries, stressing the importance of a more diversified approach.

Many Asian nations are unable to generate sufficient wind power like in Europe, where strong westerlies blow, a Meti official said in June, and Asia does not have the space to set up massive solar power facilities like in Europe where there are vast plains and plateaus.

Japan has set up a series of energy dialogues over the course of this year with southeast Asian economies, as part of the Asia Zero Emission Community (Azec) initiative to encourage energy diplomacy with like-minded nations. The country has also hosted several energy symposiums for promoting CCS, hydrogen, and ammonia technologies, reaching various deals, including one with Malaysia to discuss a regulatory and general framework on CO2 exports and storage.

Japan seems to be confident in gaining support for its diversified approach towards net zero, which has also been endorsed by G7 nations. Nishimura has also stated that he is a close ally of Cop 28 president-designate Sultan al-Jaber, and that they "exchange opinions almost every day."

By Yusuke Maekawa