NGOs slam Japan for investing abroad in carbon-polluting coal

Bonn

DAYS before Japan will host a Group of Seven (G-7) summit, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) slammed the Asian nation for financing coal-powered energy in developing countries, even as other countries and investors shun the climate-damaging fossil fuel.

Within the G-7 bloc, Japan stands out for funnelling more than US$22 billion into overseas coal plants since 2007, more than the other six countries combined. Moreover, the club of rich nation's only Asian member has another US$10 billion worth of coal projects in the pipeline, according to a report by six environmental groups, including the National Resources Defence Council (NRDC) and WWF (World Wildlife Fund).