Energy strategy and transition to green energy in Japan

The paper presents an analysis of the current state of green energy in Japan. The study showcases that Japan’s energy strategy focuses primarily on eliminating energy deficit and secondly on greening the sector. After the Fukushima accident, Japan recognized renewable energy as a solution to the energy security problem and intensified government policies to stimulate investment in renewable energy. Policy incentives, primarily the introduction of feed-in tariffs, and massive investments have led to an increase in the share of renewable energy sources, especially solar PV, in the structure of electricity generation, and contributed to CO₂ emissions decline after 2013, as well as the improvement in the energy efficiency of the economy. By the end of the second decade of the 21^st century, Japan was among the top-five countries based on installed renewable power capacity (excluding hydropower). However, the costs of electricity have been rising and the costs associated with installing renewables in Japan are very high comparing with other countries. Meanwhile, Japan is among the top-five economies with the highest CO₂ emissions, 90% of which are energy-related, and has been criticized by the international community for its ongoing support for fossil fuels. In 2020, Japan has announced an ambitious plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by speeding up the development of key technologies such as next generation solar batteries and carbon recycling. The promotion of ‘hydrogen society’ is called one of the most important steps towards a low-carbon economy in Japan. Achieving the goal will require a significant revision of the current energy plan, according to which, by 2030, more than half of the country's energy will continue to be produced by fossil fuel plants. Japan has made some progress in its green energy policy, but whether it is sustainable remains to be seen. In addition, in light of low oil prices and the COVID-19 recession, the future of renewable energy sources remains uncertain.

Japan, green energy, renewable energy, greenhouse gases emissions, energy efficiency

1. Корнеев К.А., Попов С.П. Проблемы формирования энергетической политики Японии // Энергетическая политика. № 2. 2019. С. 44-53.

2. Навстречу «зелёной» экономике: пути к устойчивому развитию и искоренению бедности - обобщающий доклад для представителей властных структур. Москва: ЮНЕП. 2011. https://www.unep.org/greeneconomy (дата обращения: 01.02.2020).

3. Пипия Л.К., Дорогокупец В.С. Энергетическая политика Японии // Серия «Наука за рубежом» Института проблем развития науки РАН. № 60. Апрель 2017. 38 с.

4. Подоба З., Крышнёва Д. «Зеленая энергетика» в странах БРИКС // Мировая экономика и международные отношения. 2018. Т. 62. № 2. C. 17-27. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2018-62-2-17-27

5. Стрельцов Д.В. Политика Японии в сфере энергосбережения: исторические и правовые аспекты // Япония 2011. Ежегодник. Москва: АИРО-XXI. 2011. С. 17-37.

6. Стрельцов Д.В. Япония как «зелёная сверхдержава»: монография. Москва: МГИМО Университет. 2012. 212 с.

7. Япония: смена модели экономического роста / отв. ред. И.П. Лебедева, А.И. Кравцевич. Москва. 1990.

8. Agency for Natural resources and Energy, Japan. (n.d.) Retrieved October 1, 2020, from http://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/en/

9. Banking on Climate Change. (2019). Fossil fuel finance report card. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www.ran.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Banking_on_Climate_Change_2019_vFINAL1.pdf

10. Capozza, I. (2011). Greening Growth in Japan. OECD Environment Working Papers, 28. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/5kggc0rpw55l-en

11. EY Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI). (2020). 55th edition. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_gl/topics/power-and-utilities/power-and-utilities-pdf/ey-renewable-energy-country-attractiveness-index-v1.pdf

12. Frankfurt School-UNEP Centre/BNEF. (2020). Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www.fs-unep-centre.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/GTR_2020.pdf

13. G20 coal subsidies. (2019). Tracking government support to a fading industry. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/resource-documents/12744.pdf

14. Gray, M., Takamura, Yu., Morisawa, M., D’souza, D., Josephand, M., & González-Jiménez, N. (2019). Land of the rising sun and offshore wind. The financial risks and economic viability of coal power in Japan. The Carbon Tracker Initiative Report. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://carbontracker.org/reports/land-of-the-rising-sun/

15. IRENA. (2019). Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2018. International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi.

16. Japan’s Strategic Energy Plan. (2018). Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2018/pdf/0703_002c.pdf

17. Kanekiyo, K. (2010). Basic Energy Plan drafted for 2010 revision. Japan Energy Brief, No. 7. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://eneken.ieej.or.jp/en/jeb/1005.pdf

18. METI. (2020). Energy Efficiency and Conservation. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/energy_environment/energy_efficiency/index.html

19. OECD. (2011). Green Growth Studies: Energy. Paris.

20. Pearce, D., Markandya, A., & Barbier, E. R. (1989). Blueprint for a Green Economy. London: Earthscan Publications Ltd.

21. Picodi. (2020) Average wages: in which country people earn the most? Retrieved November 4, 2020, from https://www.picodi.com/ph/bargain-hunting/average-wages

22. Reilly, J.M. (2012). Green growth and the efficient use of natural resources. Energy Policy, 34, S85-S93.

23. REN21 Renewables. (2020). Global Status Report. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www.ren21.net/gsr-2020/

24. Ritchie, H. & Roser, M. (2020). Emissions by sector. Our World in Data. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector/

25. Submission of Japan’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC). (2015) Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Japan/1/20150717_Japan's%20INDC.pdf

26. Submission of Japan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Japan%20First/SUBMISSION%20OF%20JAPAN'S%20NATIONALLY%20DETERMINED%20CONTRIBUTION%20(NDC).PDF

27. Tabuchi, H. (2020, February 3) Japan Races to Build New Coal-Burning Power Plants, Despite the Climate Risks. New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/03/climate/japan-coal-fukushima.html

28. The Government of Japan. The Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement. (2019). Cabinet decision, June 11, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/The%20Long-term%20Strategy%20under%20the%20Paris%20Agreement.pdf/

29. The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). (2020). Retrieved October 1, 2020, from https://www.jcm.go.jp/