Posted on June, 27 2019

GLAND, Switzerland (27 June 2019) - Japan, the world’s third largest economy, failed to step up as a global climate leader by keeping coal in its long-term low carbon strategy submitted to the UN yesterday.
Japan commits to decarbonisation as early as possible in the second half of this century, but ignores necessary short-term actions. Especially, it still intends only phasing out ‘inefficient’ coal power plants and ‘trying to reduce’ its dependency on thermal power plants.  It will, instead, rely on non-commercialized future technology innovation such as carbon capture and storage and usage; hydrogen reduction in the manufacture of iron.
 
Manual Pulgar-Vidal, leader of WWF’s global climate and energy practice said: “In the Paris Agreement era, phasing out coal as soon as possible must be a priority for every country. It is the worst of all fossil fuels. Coal emits at least double the amount of CO₂ emissions compared to gas which has the least emissions of all fossil fuels. The latest IPCC 1.5°C Special Report shows that even at a temperature rise of 1.5°C, the world will experience significant climate risks, including flooding, heat related deaths and loss of biodiversity.  The world cannot bear any more coal. Japan should immediately reconsider its coal plan.”
 
Pulgar-Vidal said it is encouraging that Japan intends to contribute towards achieving the Paris 2°C goal, including efforts toward 1.5°C.  ‘To realize its intention, Japan should reconsider its nationally determined contribution and announce updating it at UN Secretary General’s Climate Action Summit planned for 23 September in New York.”
 
For further information, contact Mandy Jean Woods mwoods@wwfint.org