At the United Nations Conference on Climate Change Countermeasures "COP26" held in the United Kingdom, a statement including the suspension of new construction of coal-fired power plants that have not taken measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was made in 40 countries including European countries. The country agreed.
Japan, the United States, and China are not included, and "decoaling" is the focus of discussion.
At COP26 in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, the UK, the presidency, issued a statement on the 4th regarding the transition to clean energy.
The statement states that major economies will move from coal-fired power plants with no emission reduction measures in the 2030s as much as possible and in the 2040s as much as possible globally.
In addition, new construction of these coal-fired power plants will be stopped, and direct government support for construction in other countries will be stopped.
The statement is endorsed by more than 40 countries, including European countries such as France and Germany, Asian countries such as South Korea, and countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Japan, USA and China are not included.
The Japanese government's negotiating team explained, "Japan, which is scarce in resources and surrounded by the sea, did not participate because it thought it was important to utilize various energy sources in a well-balanced manner."
Meanwhile, in response to the statement, COP26 Chairman Sharma said, "This conference is a relic of the past. The end of coal-fired power is imminent."
The United Kingdom, as the Presidency, wants to promote "decoalization" and is the focus of the COP26 discussion.
Friends of the Earth Japan "So many countries promise epoch-making"
"It's groundbreaking that so many countries have promised to move away from coal-fired power," said Jennifer Lake Energy Director, Friends of the Earth Japan, an international environmental NGO. The step is to end the financing of new coal-fired power plants in the world. To be successful, governments and the private sector need to work together in each country. "
On the other hand, regarding Japan's disagreement with the statement, he said, "I think there are various reasons why each country goes on its own path at different speeds." I think that the country has a path to "decoalization" and Japan has a chance to take a step forward. However, this statement raises the bar and it is certain that half-hearted efforts are no longer allowed. " I did.
Demonstration for "decoaling" in Japan around the venue
While the focus was on coal-fired power generation at COP26, a demonstration was held around the venue on the 4th, asking the Japanese government to stop coal-fired power generation.
About 10 people, including Japanese university students, participated in the demonstration organized by a group made up of environmental NGOs in Japan and overseas, and called out for "decoalization" of Japan near the entrance of the venue.
After that, each participant gave a speech, and Mr. Abdul Gofar, who participated from Indonesia, who is considering financial support from Indonesia for the construction of a new coal-fired power plant, said, "By coal-fired power generation. Indonesia's greenhouse gas emissions are very high. I want Japan to stop supporting it. "
In addition, Mr. Isao Sakai, a university student, said, "In Japan, there is still a movement to keep the old coal-fired power plant alive, and I think it is nonsense," and appealed for further expansion of renewable energy.
"It's true that coal-fired electricity is cheaper in Indonesia, but renewable energy prices are falling. No new coal-fired power plants are needed," said Abdul Gofar.
Coal-fired power Japan's policy
Japan plans to maintain coal-fired power generation for the time being, as many countries decide to abolish coal-fired power generation in the future.
Domestic power generation is based on data for FY2019, with coal-fired power generation accounting for more than 31%.
In addition, the basic energy plan decided by the Cabinet last month is based on the assumption that the ratio will be reduced on the premise of securing a stable supply of electricity, but it is expected that 19% of the power generation will be covered by coal-fired power generation as of 2030. It has become.
The Japanese government says that it will be difficult to abolish it by 2030 because coal-fired power will also be required to play a role of pack-up as the introduction of renewable energy such as solar power, whose power generation fluctuates, progresses.
However, at this COP26, the chair country, the United Kingdom, is calling on developed countries to abolish coal-fired power by 2030, and the Japanese government is faced with a difficult response.
On the other hand, Japan's export of coal-fired power to developing countries is also receiving strict attention.
Based on the G7 = seven major countries' agreement in June, the Japanese government says that the government's export support for new coal-fired power generation that has not taken measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will end by the end of the year. increase.
On top of that, we plan to export technology that reduces emissions by mixing ammonia, which does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, to existing coal-fired power plants.
However, environmental NGOs and others have criticized that ammonia emits greenhouse gases during the manufacturing process, so its reduction effect is limited and it will lead to the survival of coal-fired power plants.
In addition, at a COP26 related event held on the 3rd, the Japanese government has made a "de-coal" effort such as shutting down coal-fired power generation in Southeast Asia and replacing it with a clean power generation facility for $ 25 million through the Asian Development Bank. It has announced that it will contribute (about 2.7 billion yen in Japanese yen).