CAN-Japan calls for just decarbonization ahead of G7 Hiroshima Summit

As world leaders gather in Hiroshima for the 2023 G7 Summit, a powerful confluence of factors is about to bring us to a tipping point in the global energy landscape. Climate change, geopolitical instability, and the quest for energy independence are reshaping the debate about how to achieve a decarbonized future.

CAN-Japan (Climate Action Network Japan, who works towards strengthening domestic climate change policies) has released a statement, urging the G7 Hiroshima Summit to make a maximum commitment to phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to 100% renewable energy in a just and inclusive manner. They key points include:

Just transition to 100% renewable energy

A groundswell of support for renewable energy is sweeping across the globe as nations confront the reality of a dwindling carbon budget. The G7 nations must spearhead the push for the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and the just transition to 100% renewable energy. This requires a shift away from costly and unproven technologies like nuclear power, ammonia co-firing, and carbon capture and storage (CCS), towards investment in proven, cost-effective renewables.

Leaving no one behind in the transition

Equally important to the adoption of renewable energy is the need for a just and inclusive transition. The G7 countries must support adaptation and loss and damage measures to protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change, both domestically and abroad. This means strengthening adaptation policies, targets, and actions while promoting Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) for developing countries.

How Japan’s GX basic policy does not contribute to decarbonization

As the host of the 2023 G7 Summit, Japan has an opportunity to lead the charge for a truly green transformation. Unfortunately, its GX basic policy falls short of this ideal. The policy promotes risky and unproven technologies like nuclear power, ammonia and hydrogen co-firing, and CCS, which are incompatible with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal. Instead, Japan should focus on renewable energy sources and energy conservation technologies that are ready for use and economically competitive.

As the G7 Summit unfolds in Hiroshima, a city that has experienced the horrors of war and nuclear devastation, the call for a renewable energy revolution could not be more urgent. The tipping point for global energy transformation is upon us, and the G7 nations, especially Japan, must rise to the challenge.

Read more about the climate crisis in Japan