While we have seen some encouraging progress here at COP26 on phasing out coal, one
country you won’t see in that list is Japan, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gases emitters ー and with over 20% of its emissions coming from burning coal. ECO recognizes that OECD countries must exit coal by 2030 in line with the science-based 1.5℃ pathway, but it seems Japan is not aware of that, even in the second week of COP26. Despite a recent 2050 net-zero emissions declaration and updated 2030 reduction targets, Japan currently has no concrete plan to phase out its 160+ operating coal units, and is still intending on having nearly a fifth of its power coming from coal in 2030.
Even worse, Japan has a number of new coal-fired power plants under construction, along with plans to keep its oldest coal plants alive by bolting on ammonia and hydrogen technology that would only marginally reduce emissions. And this dedication to coal power is not limited to domestic projects ー the government continues to support coal abroad, funding major “unabated” coal power projects Indramayu in Indonesia and Matarbari in Bangladesh.
At a time when Japan is required to do its fair share to meet the Paris goals as a major emitter and developed country, PM Kishida is instead doubling-down on Japan’s commitment to keep coal alive, restating at COP26 that Japan’s energy strategy relies on using hydrogen and ammonia produced from fossil fuels as so-called “zero-emission thermal power.” This strategy simply creates an illusion of emission reductions, as it will only shift the emissions to the countries where the fossil-based ammonia and hydrogen is produced, all while prolonging the life of coal in Japan through co-firing.
It’s about time that Japan gets serious about its energy strategy and sets a concrete roadmap to transition from fossil fuels to renewables in line with the Paris Agreement.