Tokyo boosts commitment to renewables . . .
The Japanese Cabinet approved the Energy White Paper 2019 today. The energy policy paper addresses reconstruction from the 3.11 Fukushima nuclear disaster, efforts for disaster resilience, and notably global warming countermeasures that set greenhouse gas reduction targets and increase the proportion of renewable sources of energy. The paper clearly underscores Tokyo’s determination to be a global leader in renewable energy.
Nuclear still a large part of the mix . . .
Japan is aiming to have up to 24 per cent of its energy come from renewable sources by 2030, and is raising nuclear in its national mix from three per cent (2017) to over 20 per cent over the next decade. This represents a significant policy shift as Japan’s utility companies overwhelmingly rely on coal and natural gas (74%). While the goal for renewables has been widely commended, critics and Japan’s opposition party are concerned that the country’s controversial nuclear power plants are slated to play such an expanded role in Japan’s energy future.
Room for Canadian partnerships . . .
Japan’s latest pivot towards increased renewables comes ahead of the G20 Osaka Summit in which Japan has made climate change and promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals two of its agenda priorities. Canada should build on the momentum that Japan has spurred to focus on renewable energy to advance not only its 90 years of diplomatic relations with the country and awareness of the CPTPP for businesses, but to also highlight Canada’s world-class clean technology products and expertise.
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- Al Jazeera: Japan says reducing carbon emissions is an 'urgent issue'
- The New York Times: Japan Plans Carbon Emission Cuts, More Nuclear Energy
- 資源エネルギー庁(Agency for Natural Resources and Energy): エネルギー白書2019 (Energy White Paper 2019)
