Japan’s green switch falls short of global goals, climate researchers say

JAPAN’S planned transition toward cleaner energy contradicts pathways recommended by a United Nations body to help keep global warming from rising by 1.5 deg C, according to climate research group InfluenceMap.

The nation’s green plan — known as the GX policy — is “significantly misaligned” with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s guidance on limiting the rise in global temperatures, said InfluenceMap. The group cited the policy’s reliance on coal, liquefied natural gas, hydrogen and ammonia.

Japan formally approved its basic plan to tackle climate change in February, and the resource-poor nation has argued that it needs all available tools in order to decarbonise its economy. InfluenceMap said the Asian nation’s policy also poses risks to long-term global emissions goals.

Energy transition technologies like batteries, hydrogen, ammonia and next-generation vehicles are key to “Japan’s economic growth and decarbonisation,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said last week, adding that the government will provide investment support in those areas.

InfluenceMap said Japan’s biggest business lobby Keidanren, which opposes the introduction of a carbon tax and has backed the use of ammonia, was among the most active groups engaging on climate and energy policy over the last few years. The climate group cited Keidanren and industry influence last year. BLOOMBERG