Mr. Nakanishi, can the business world achieve decarbonization? March 29, 19:07
The government's goal is to achieve "carbon neutrality" that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero as a whole by 2050.
However, some Japanese industry has said that there are high hurdles to realization.
How will Japan find the answer to the drastic reduction of greenhouse gases that will become active in the world?
Is it really possible?
We asked Keidanren Chairman Hiroaki Nakanishi about the path Japan should take to carbon neutrality and its challenges.
(Kentaro Yamada, Reporter, Ministry of Economic Affairs)
“Preparation for immortality”
Mr. Nakanishi became the chairman of Keidanren in 2018.
Since taking office, he has been aware of the strict eyes of society on the industry due to climate change issues.
Overseas, the EU has set a goal of "reducing greenhouse gas emissions to virtually zero by 2050" ahead of Japan, and China has also set a goal of "striving to achieve virtually zero by 2060." I raised it.
President Biden of the United States, who took office this time, also promised virtually zero greenhouse gases in the election.
(Q) As national and regional efforts become more active around the world, how does Chairman Nakanishi see the response of Japanese industry so far?
And what do you think the government's "seriousness" is?
Chairman Nakanishi
"I believe that the government is immovable, and I realize that Prime Minister Suga is also prepared to speak. To be honest, I have been talking about Japan's traditional industrial structure. The top management used to say, "I can't do it," and I think I was rather conservative when it came to climate change, but now, unless I'm aiming for decarbonization, We have come to the point where the significance of the business world itself is doubted. I think that the public and private sectors must work together to achieve decarbonization. "
How confident is the industry?
While Japanese industry says, "We will do our utmost to tackle the goals of the government," some say that "there are high hurdles to achieving."
The steel industry, which accounts for about 15% of domestic carbon dioxide emissions, is one of them.
In February, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation issued a statement to accelerate its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Specifically, the company plans to promote research on new steelmaking technologies that utilize hydrogen instead of coal, and the development of technologies that collect carbon dioxide so that it does not go out and store it underground.
However, he emphasized the difficulty of realizing steelmaking technology using hydrogen, saying that it is an extremely ambitious challenge that has just begun to be developed in each country.
He clarified that he opposes "carbon pricing," in which companies pay for carbon dioxide emissions, because it hinders technological innovation.
Voices are also rising from the automobile industry.
Development of vehicles with low carbon dioxide emissions, such as hybrid vehicles and EVs = electric vehicles, is progressing, but in the first place, more than 70% of Japan's electricity used in the production process is thermal power generation, so it is used for EVs, etc. The shift alone does not significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions in society as a whole.
Akio Toyoda, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, said, "We will do our best to challenge ourselves, but we must work on the entire supply chain, including parts manufacturers. It will be difficult to achieve carbon neutrality without reforming the national energy policy. ".
(Q) How do you perceive these voices from industry?
Chairman Nakanishi
"Not everyone is confident that decarbonization can really be done. However, there is a common understanding that if the earth remains as it is, there will be no foundation for survival, so everyone thinks that we must do it.
" Changes in the industrial structure such as the shift to EVs are inevitable. Then, what should we do if the industrial structure changes? After taking proper measures, we are not only talking about the steel industry and the automobile industry, but also the energy industry and the electric power industry. And then, I think it is necessary for the industry to align the vectors well, such as distribution, and I think that such a big industrial policy should be taken. "
Energy policy is key
Chairman Nakanishi believes that national energy policy will be a major key to achieving carbon neutrality.
Below is a breakdown of the "power sources" in Japan's power generation.
You can see that the firepower is overwhelmingly large.
(Q) The government has indicated as a reference value that the proportion of renewable energy such as wind power and solar power will be increased from 50% to 60% in 2050, but I think this is feasible. Is it?
Chairman Nakanishi
"Technically, I think it is possible. One is the use of offshore wind power generation. If it is used well, it will reach a considerable capacity. The other is solar power. Equipment for homes and buildings There are still places where we can increase the number of suitable sites for decentralized power generation and large-scale power generation. It is not a number that we are pessimistic about. "
" The importance of coal in the current energy situation. I think it is a fact that there is a considerable amount of power. With that understanding, the only power source that can replace coal-fired power is nuclear power. I think we can discuss how to utilize nuclear power in Japan. Although it includes positive discussions and safety issues. "
Discussions involving a new generation
There are many challenges to achieving decarbonization, but Chairman Nakanishi says he is optimistic.
The reason is that young people who will lead society in the future are highly aware of environmental issues.
Chairman Nakanishi
"The climate change problem shows that the earth itself, which human beings have built through repeated mass production, is in a very serious situation. On the other hand, the earth of young people born in the 21st century. I strongly feel the consciousness of trying to do something about it, and I also feel that I want to do work that contributes to such things. The consciousness of contributing to society or the earth rather than us (generation) is rather I think it's high. In order to develop and take over the height of consciousness, we have to take the form that a new generation will carry on our backs. That's how I always think. I'm
In order to realize a carbon-free society, there are many themes that must be discussed beyond each standpoint, such as how much consumers and businesses will bear the costs and whether we can change our lifestyles.
Whether the chairman of Keidanren, also known as the "Prime Minister of the Business World," can lead the discussion and play a role in bundling different opinions in the industrial world.
I think that leadership is required.
Mr. Nakanishi, can the business world achieve decarbonization?
Kentaro Yamada,
Reporter, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Joined in 2002
After being in charge of
automobile and electronics manufacturers
, he
was in charge
of the
business world of
three economic organizations.