When the two nations and the nations of Southeast Asia convened for their first ministerial meeting on the reduction of carbon emissions in the rapidly developing region, Japan announced on Saturday the beginning of a hydrogen supply chain with Australia.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated in a video message for the meeting on the Asia Zero Emission Community framework that he would like to extend hydrogen supply chain networks throughout the area by working more closely with Asian countries. The concept was suggested by Japan.
He emphasized that hydrogen may be an important energy source in implementing clean energy transitions, particularly in an area vulnerable to natural disasters. “In Asia, we should hold as many energy options as possible, and hydrogen and ammonia are options,” he added.
A total of 11 countries that have joined AZEC said in a joint statement released after the one-day meeting in Tokyo that they “recognize that accelerating the energy transition in the Asian area is crucial to accomplish the goals” of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.
Japan is promoting novel decarbonization technologies like carbon dioxide collection and the use of hydrogen and ammonia in the production of thermal energy. In the midst of an energy crisis brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has also called for carbon neutrality while ensuring a steady energy supply.
According to the Japanese government, hydrogen and ammonia can significantly reduce emissions from thermal power generation, the transportation industry, and other sectors that heavily rely on fossil fuels.
According to Japanese officials, the bilateral hydrogen supply system will link Kawasaki, a city southwest of Tokyo in the Keihin industrial zone, with the Australian state of Victoria.
Kishida unveiled the Asia zero emission idea in January of last year in an effort to encourage regional decarbonization and collaboration in hastening the switch to clean energy.
Those who have joined the framework include Australia and all ASEAN members except for Myanmar. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are all part of ASEAN.
The proposal excludes China and India, the world’s largest and third-largest emitters of carbon dioxide, respectively.
At a news conference held after the ministerial meeting, Japanese Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura stated that the primary goal of introducing the AZEC framework is to assist with energy transitions and the decarbonization of ASEAN.
He said that through bilateral energy platforms, Japan is working with nations like China, India, and South Korea to achieve net zero emissions. Climate and energy experts noted that Southeast Asia is a hub of economic and emissions growth and that attempts to decarbonize will have a significant impact on regional and global success in climate action.
Because it produces a third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and consumes 60% of the world’s coal, the East Asia and Pacific region is also essential to attempts to combat climate change on a global scale.
The ministerial meeting’s attendees also decided to support funding for decarbonization infrastructure projects, including building renewable energy power networks and enhancing local human resource capability.
