At the conference held on the 29th for the realization of a decarbonized society, the government approved a new system proposal for the introduction of "carbon pricing," in which companies bear the cost according to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions. Did.
Prime Minister Kishida, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura, and Keidanren Chairman Tokura attended the GX = Green Transformation Implementation Conference held at the Prime Minister's official residence.
At the conference, a proposal for a new system for the introduction of "carbon pricing," which the government is considering, was presented with the aim of achieving "carbon neutrality," in which greenhouse gas emissions are effectively zero by 2050. rice field.
Among them, in order to accelerate the efforts of companies to reduce emissions, it was decided that from fiscal 2026, full-scale operation of "emissions trading", in which the reduced amount of emissions would be traded on the market like stocks and bonds.
In addition, in order to reduce the use of fossil fuels, electric power companies will be asked to allocate emission allowances for a fee in the future.
Furthermore, in addition to electric power companies, oil wholesalers and trading companies that import fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas will be made to bear certain costs.
The government will issue new government bonds called "GX Economic Transition Bonds" for investments that lead to decarbonization, such as renewable energy and storage batteries, but will use the funds borne by companies as redemption financial resources.
On the other hand, in the current system proposal, the introduction of a carbon tax, which would impose a tax on a wide range of companies, was postponed.
At the meeting on the 29th, these proposals were approved, and the government will support private sector investment toward decarbonization through the issuance of "GX Economic Transition Bonds," realizing over 150 trillion yen in investment by the public and private sectors over the next 10 years. It is a policy to let
Prime Minister Kishida ``Necessary to make full use of decarbonized energy''
Prime Minister Kishida told Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura at the "GX Implementation Meeting" that at the next meeting, "Carbon Pricing", in which companies bear the cost according to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, and "GX Economic Transition Bonds" I instructed them to indicate when the issuance will start.
In addition, toward decarbonization, we will present concrete proposals that utilize renewable energy, energy conservation, and nuclear power. I also instructed them to show investment promotion measures for each sector.
Prime Minister Kishida said, "The next GX meeting will be a summary of this year's discussions, so I gave three instructions. In order to overcome the current energy crisis and promote sustainable GX, we will focus on renewable energy, energy conservation, It is necessary to make full use of decarbonized energy such as nuclear power, and attracting 150 trillion yen of public-private GX investment is also a pillar of our growth strategy.
Keidanren Chairman Tokura "Measures that can be evaluated"
After a government meeting aimed at realizing a decarbonized society, Keidanren Chairman Tokura told reporters, "We can secure the motivation, incentives, and time to support the steady reduction of greenhouse gases and work to strengthen industrial competitiveness. I would like to evaluate it with the measures I have taken."
After that, Chairman Tokura said, "By combining GX economic transition bonds and carbon pricing that contributes to growth, we can steadily advance Japan's GX." I reaffirmed my recognition that it is important to continue
GX Economic Transition Bonds Aim and financial resources
The government plans to invest more than 150 trillion yen in the public and private sectors over the next 10 years in order to achieve "carbon neutrality," which means net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
By sector, ▽ hydrogen and ammonia, which do not emit carbon dioxide, ▽ manufacturing and research and development of next-generation storage batteries, each have more than 7 trillion yen, and ▽ steel and chemical industries, which emit a lot of carbon dioxide, each have more than 3 trillion yen. Expect investment.
However, it is not easy for companies to make risk-based investment decisions and procure a large amount of funds when it is difficult to predict the practical application of technology and trends in demand.
For this reason, the government has established a new government bond, "GX = Green Transformation Economic Transition Bond," to support private sector investment.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will issue GX Economic Transition Bonds from next fiscal year, and is coordinating to supply funds to the private sector in the amount of about 20 trillion yen over the next 10 years.
It is said that the redemption will be done by 2050, but the financial resources will be "surcharges" for businesses that import fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas, such as electric power companies, oil wholesalers, and trading companies. A certain burden is called for.
In addition, by utilizing the "emissions trading" system, we will make profits by selling the reduction in emissions obtained from energy-saving and renewable energy projects that the government has been involved in to companies, and will also provide electric power companies with a fee in the future. The policy is to allocate the profits obtained by allocating emission allowances to financial resources.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is aiming to submit the necessary bills to the ordinary session of the Diet next year.
Proposed carbon pricing system Burdens and challenges
"Carbon pricing", which the government has been considering, is a mechanism to have companies and others bear the financial costs according to the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.
One typical example is the "emissions trading" system, in which the upper limit of carbon dioxide that can be emitted is set and the surplus or deficit is traded.
Emissions trading is currently being tested on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with more than 160 companies and organizations nationwide participating. We buy and sell through the market like
Starting next fiscal year, companies will set their own reduction targets, and will proceed by selling the portion that exceeds their targets. Based on the certification of , we are considering setting emission allowances.
Furthermore, in order to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric power sector, which depends on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, in the future, electric power companies will be allocated emission allowances for a fee and will be asked to bear the burden.
In addition, at the meeting on the 29th, it was confirmed that the introduction of a carbon tax, which would be imposed on a wide range of companies, would be postponed, but that companies in some industries would be required to bear a certain burden called a levy. .
The targets are electric power companies and oil wholesalers that import fossil fuels, and these companies are expected to add a burden to electricity and gasoline charges.
However, the government says that the introduction of carbon pricing will prevent an increase in energy-related burdens on citizens and companies over the medium to long term.
The government is stating that it will step up its support to strengthen industrial competitiveness and lead to economic growth along with decarbonization efforts. It continues to be an issue.