The Japanese government is focusing on achieving energy self-sufficiency and promoting green transition technologies by raising the share of renewable energy in the energy mix to 38% by 2030.
Japan wants to do this by implementing policies that make the country more competitive in the market, get rid of carbon emissions, and make sure there are stable energy supplies while the economy grows. These policies are based on the idea of sustainability, which means using environmental, social, and economic practices that meet the needs of the present without making it harder for future generations to meet their own needs.
Carbon neutrality by 2050
Japan also aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through close cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Japan witnessed a 16% increase in renewable energy supply in 2022 compared to the previous year, representing a total increase of 75% since 2010.
Japan's initiatives for achieving sustainability include establishing a fundamental policy for the green transition and introducing plans such as "feed-in tariffs" and "feed-in premiums," in addition to implementing reforms in the electricity system. Local governments are also working on adopting carbon-neutral policies within their development plans.
Five major energy markets
Japan is focusing on five key markets with significant growth potential in the environment and energy sector.
These markets include offshore wind energy, which is seeing active entry from foreign companies; biomass, which is recording steady growth; solar energy, which is the largest source of renewable energy in Japan; hydrogen, which is characterized by leading global research and development efforts; and storage batteries, which are witnessing diverse marketing and international collaboration.
The Japanese government aims to achieve ambitious goals, including reducing emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy, and minimizing food waste by 2030. By 2050, Tokyo aims to become a carbon-neutral city.
Big challenges
Experts point to significant challenges facing the world in combating climate change despite ambitious plans. According to the International Monetary Fund, climate change is accelerating at a faster pace than expected, with the possibility of reaching "tipping points" that could make global warming more severe.
In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Anthony Rowley, an economist based in Japan, asserted that the International Monetary Fund's warning about the world's imminent climate change crisis is a crucial warning that warrants serious consideration. He pointed to another report by the Asian Development Bank, which warns of the accelerating climate change and that "tipping points" may have been reached, making global warming much faster than expected.
He added that the challenges and factors facing governments in dealing with the phenomenon of global warming include the financial cost, as some governments are unable to bear the costs of combating climate change, noting that the global private sector can participate in the efforts, but it cannot lead them alone.
Rowley confirmed that global financial institutions have issued their warnings due to the recent hurricanes and natural disasters that struck the United States and Asia, causing severe damage, including the Los Angeles fires. The warnings included that these phenomena could result in losses estimated in trillions of dollars over the coming years.
Coordinated global effort
He explained that addressing an issue as significant as climate change will only be possible through a fully coordinated effort among governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society, multilateral development banks, companies, and the financial sector. He pointed out that the challenge lies in determining which entity will take on the coordination of this response; he noted that this challenge, despite its difficulty, could lead to the success of sustainability if the right policies are legislated.
