Features
The Issue with Japan’s ESG Reporting
Japan has been struggling to catch up with the EU and the US in corporate ESG reporting standards. Progress is being made, but several problems still need to be addressed, including an over-reliance on fossil fuels in its power generation mix and a governance problem that seems hard to address.
Is Steel Bad For The Environment? A Look At Nippon Steel
The vast majority of Japanese steel is produced with coal blast furnaces. This does not align with domestic or international decarbonisation goals. As the market leader of Japan's steel industry, Nippon Steel needs to reassess its decarbonisation strategy. It currently falls short with ongoing coal investments and reliance on untested low-carbon production technology.
Japan’s Offshore Wind Revolution
Surrounded by windy oceans, Japan has tremendous offshore wind potential. For Japan to reach its 2040 offshore wind target, it would need 22,500 wind farms the size of Goto City’s. If the amendments in parliament are passed, Japanese wind manufacturers can export their technology to wind markets abroad. In that case, Japan will have no reason to continue its false solutions of ammonia co-firing and fossil fuel investments.
Japan’s Steel Industry: A Laggard For Decarbonisation
Japan's steel industry is one of the country's largest economic powerhouses, significantly influencing the global steel market. However, the industry's decarbonisation goals fail to align with the country's targets, which are already considered inadequate compared to its peers. A reassessment of the industry's goals and associated policies is necessary.
G7 Ministerial Meetings 2024 – Outcomes
The G7 has sent a clear message that it is moving away from coal. While a good start, the targets are vague and insufficient for a 1.5°C-aligned world. The G20 and COP29 summits and the upcoming NDC updates round provide the perfect opportunities to accelerate progress.
Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity Is Possible, But 2023 Didn’t Help
Despite the record clean energy capacity additions in 2023, leading agencies and market analysts warn that the world is falling short of the trajectory required for a 1.5°C-aligned scenario. Can the G7 and G20 take action to help us change course?
Hydropower Reliance Is Risky for Asia
Scientists and experts warn that hydropower over-reliance can expose Asian countries to economic, environmental, social and energy security risks. However, hydropower can unlock various gains in a solar and wind-led energy transition.
Japanese Banks Pour Billions Into Fossil Fuel Industry
Analysts warn that the continued fossil fuel support from the Japanese financial industry, showcased by the actions of various banks, insurance companies, asset owners and asset managers, is enabled by loose policies or loopholes. Fixing them is critical for addressing the climate crisis.
Carbon Capture vs Renewable Energy
The economic and decarbonisation deficiencies, combined with the health and environmental risks, cement CCUS's role as a complementary technology, mainly in hard-to-abate sectors, not a wildcard to perpetuate fossil fuel use.
The Environmental and Climate Impacts of False Solutions on Japan
Japan is the leading proponent of the mass adoption of ammonia co-firing and CCS technologies for power generation domestically and across Asia. However, scientists warn that such steps will not only fail to reduce emissions but could also result in adverse impacts, including air pollution, water contamination and ecosystem degradation.
Energy Economics Show Renewable Energy Generation Is Less Capex Intensive Than Fossil Fuels
Renewable energy for the power sector keeps getting cheaper to build and operate. However, much of the Asia-Pacific region is still building out natural gas infrastructure. The region needs to pivot if it wants to reach its net-zero goals.
South Korea’s Energy Mix: Prominent Role of Fossil Fuels
The IEEFA warns that South Korea’s misplaced faith in fossil fuels could create a vicious cycle of spiralling energy costs, derailed decarbonisation progress and loss of opportunities as investors back the transition to renewable energy.
Indian Elections 2024: Climate Change Should Take the Spotlight
India has established itself as a leader in the region's clean energy transition. Still, the country's political parties now have to prioritise tackling climate change and taming its worst impacts – a problem scientists expect will worsen.
Ammonia-Coal Co-firing Plans Risk Worsening the Air Quality Problem in India and Pakistan
Experts describe technologies like CCS and hydrogen-ammonia co-firing as false solutions to climate change since they will perpetuate the use of fossil fuels. However, scientific evidence indicates that they also pose air pollution and health risks – problems India and Pakistan already have to deal with.
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