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October FY2021
Tokyo "Beyond-Zero" Week 2021 Held

Tokyo "Beyond-Zero" Week 2021 Held

- All Energy Sources, Technologies, and Pathways to Decarbonization -

October 13, 2021

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) hosted Tokyo Beyond-Zero Week, which is composed of the following eight conferences, from October 4 to 8, 2021. Toward the establishment and public implementation of innovative technologies toward a successful "Beyond Zero" initiative (i.e., not only global carbon neutrality, but also retroactively reducing CO2 through the stock base approach), these conferences were held to present individual challenges that member countries should address and to provide approaches and methods to overcome these societal challenges. A total of approximately 17,000 people registered online as participating viewers for these conferences.

Tokyo "Beyond-Zero" Week: from October 4 to 8, 2021

 First Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting: October 4
 Third International Conference on Carbon Recycling: October 4
 Fourth Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting: October 4
 10th LNG Producer-Consumer Conference: October 5
 Third TCFD Summit: October 5
 First International Conference on Fuel Ammonia: October 6
 Eighth ICEF: October 6 and 7
 Third RD20 (Leaders' Session): October 8

In October 2020, Japan declared the goal of realizing a carbon-neutral, decarbonized society by 2050. In order to achieve this goal, Japan will lead decarbonization globally by establishing and publicly implementing innovative technologies and mobilizing all possible measures toward the "Beyond Zero" initiative, whose goal is not only global carbon neutrality, but also retroactive reduction of CO₂ emissions through the stock base approach.

The world is facing an urgent need to address climate change. In order to achieve global carbon neutrality, it is essential that not only Japan and other developed economies but also emerging economies tackle the challenge together. On the other hand, the economic and geographical circumstances of each country are different, and in order to promote effective emissions reduction, it is essential to accelerate their transitions by utilizing a wide range of technologies and energy sources based on their diverse realities, rather than taking a uniform approach. In addition to transitions via these various paths, a shared challenge for all countries is to create breakthrough innovations that are not necessarily simply extensions of existing technologies, and to link them to new growth opportunities through the realization of a "virtuous cycle of the economy and the environment." With this in mind, Japan has been actively engaging international partners in collaborative efforts and in January 2020 formulated the “Environment Innovation Strategy” which aims to lead the world. To create a “virtuous cycle of the economy and the environment”, related government ministries and agencies collaborated to formulate the “Green Growth Strategy” in June of this year. In addition, toward carbon neutrality by 2050, a two-trillion-yen Green Innovation Fund has been established to encourage companies to take on ambitious challenges in R&D and facilitate the deployment of successful results.

As part of these efforts, METI held Tokyo "Beyond-Zero" Week 2021, an intensive series of international conferences related to energy and the environment with a view toward achieving carbon neutrality and the "Beyond Zero" initiative. These conferences will bring together a wide variety of stakeholders, including government officials and representatives of international organizations and research institutes from around the world, and hold wide-ranging discussions on challenges facing the realization of "Beyond Zero," as well as directions and methods for overcoming these challenges. With the keywords of "Various Pathways," "Innovation," and "Engagement with developing countries," the conferences will also disseminate realistic and concrete methods for realizing a "virtuous cycle of the economy and the environment" to the world. With cross-sectoral discussions on green growth in Asia, Japan will share its technological expertise with other countries in priority fields such as hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon recycling, in which we are leading the world. We will contribute to achieving carbon neutrality throughout the world as a platform for leading international discussions and cooperation to accelerate the transitions toward carbon neutrality.

1. First Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting: October 4

The meeting was attended by ministries from 20 countries and delegates from three international organizations in Asia and other parts of the world. The participants discussed the need to achieve green growth and speed up diverse and realistic energy transitions toward achieving global carbon neutrality as soon as possible. In particular, they affirmed that carbon neutrality will be achieved not through a single approach but many different approaches that are appropriate to each country, and that promoting innovation and actively engaging Asian countries in the process will be important. The countries and international organizations said they welcomed Japan's support based on the AETI and endorsed the idea of diverse and realistic energy transitions that make use of various options by taking into account the circumstances of each country. They also introduced their own efforts toward promoting energy transitions. The participants also emphasized that achieving global carbon neutrality will require innovation and financing to support energy transitions in each country, and shared their high expectations toward cooperation from the international community. The Chair's Summary was published on the basis of these discussions in the meeting.

2. Third International Conference on Carbon Recycling: October 4

Industry, academia, and government leaders in the field of carbon recycling, which uses CO₂ as a resource (concrete/cement, fuel/chemicals, and R&D/investment), participated in the conference from both Japan and abroad, and about 2,800 people from 32 countries and regions attended in total. Through lectures and panel discussions, they shared examples of advanced technologies and concrete efforts, and announced their future directions toward public implementation of carbon recycling.
In addition, METI presented Japan's efforts toward public implementation of carbon recycling over the last year in the form of a report summarizing the progress made, including the formulation of the Green Growth Strategy Carbon Recycling Action Plan and the revision of the Roadmap for Carbon Recycling Technologies. The leaders also confirmed that they will speed up open innovation while strengthening international cooperation.

3. Fourth Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting: October 4

Hydrogen-related efforts are gaining pace globally. Delegates from 29 countries, regions, international organizations, Industry Associations (among them 18 ministers) and company representatives delivered messages and shared information about their efforts, challenges, and policy directions toward furthering the cause of using hydrogen globally in the future. The meeting was attended by about 3,200 people from those countries and regions.

4. 10th LNG Producer-Consumer Conference: October 5

The 10th LNG Producer-Consumer Conference aimed to clarify LNG's position as a key resource for successful energy transitions, and accordingly discussed two main themes: (1) the increasingly important role of LNG as a transition energy resource, and (2) efforts toward the cleaner use of LNG, given that it is an important resource. Through these discussions, the participants affirmed the need for further cooperation between producers and consumers. Messages from ministers from more than 25 countries and from the leaders of more than 70 companies and international organizations were posted on the website, and some 2,200 people from 55 countries and regions attended the conference.

Mr. Hosaka Shin, Commissioner of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, told the world that LNG would play an important role in the transitions to carbon neutrality, and that the necessary upstream investment in LNG and gas needs to happen. He also presented JOGMEC's research results and outcomes regarding destination restrictions, which Japan has been leading the discussions on in the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference.

5. Third TCFD Summit: October 5

The summit was attended by about 3,600 people from 28 countries and regions. Leaders from the industrial and financial sectors discussed how to promote further use of the TCFD recommendations in order to encourage the expansion of disclosure that will provide a sound basis for appropriate investment decisions. Specifically, the following views were shared and they summarize the key takeaways from the event

It is important to obtain commitments to carbon neutrality from investors through engagement, not divestment.
Given the importance of reducing emissions throughout the supply chains, Scope 3 needs to establish calculation methods in order to solve the practical issues. It is also important to understand the background to why Scope 3 disclosure is necessary rather than simply using a check box format.
Transition financing is essential worldwide, and it is important that disclosures include transition strategies. This is especially true of Asia, which is highly reliant on fossil fuels.
The activities of Japanese consortiums are leading to consortiums being established overseas. The contributions from Japan are playing a major role in expanding global disclosure.
Green Investment Guidance 2.0 and Zero Emissions Challenge 2 were announced.

6. First International Conference on Fuel Ammonia: October 6

Hosted by Japan, the First International Conference on Fuel Ammonia was an online gathering of industry and international organizations, and government representatives from the participating countries (including gas producing countries that are expected to play a central role in the production and use of fuel ammonia), and is set to become a new platform for cooperation. It was attended by more than 1,500 people from 8 countries.
At the conference, in addition to lectures by representatives, the International Energy Agency (IEA) issued a report on the role of low-carbon fuels in clean energy transitions of the power sector, and an inter-company MOC was signed concerning co-firing ammonia in Malaysia's coal-fired power plants.
The meeting showed that the government and private sectors have been concretely considering and proceeding with strategic efforts to build stable, low-cost, flexible fuel ammonia value chains and markets. At the same time, it reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation, including toward increased recognition of fuel ammonia.

7. Eighth ICEF: October 6 and 7

With over 2,000 people registered to participate from 87 countries and regions, the forum brought together industry, government, and academia leaders from around the world to discuss the importance of innovation toward solving climate change problems. This year, the younger generations (people under the age of 35, who will be leading society in 2050) also took the stage in the sessions. With "Pathways to Carbon Neutrality by 2050; Accelerating the Pace of Global Decarbonization" as the theme, the focus was on concrete and realistic ways to achieve carbon neutrality. The topics discussed included the importance of pursuing various pathways in line with the respective circumstances in each country and region, and prospects for development and adoption in five technological fields. An ICEF Statement incorporating the results of these discussions was adopted.

8. Third RD20 (Leaders' Session): October 8

Representatives of research institutes in the field of clean energy from 20 countries and regions held discussions on the enhancement of international collaboration. Some 1,200 people in total registered online as participating viewers for this conference.

Among other matters, the leaders pointed out the importance of intellectual property, of promoting international joint research, and of enhancing the development of human resources and facilities. A Leaders Statement incorporating these issues was adopted. They also reported on the results of the Technical Sessions held before the meeting (which discussed sector-specific decarbonization, public acceptance of hydrogen, and next-generation energy management systems), and the International Cooperation Task Force, which has been inaugurated with the aim of creating concrete international joint research projects.

Division in Charge

For Tokyo "Beyond-Zero" Week 2021

International Affairs Division, Commissioner's Secretariat, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Environmental Policy Division, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau

(1)For the First Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting

International Affairs Division, Commissioner's Secretariat, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

(2) For the Third International Conference on Carbon Recycling

Carbon Recycling Office, Commissioner's Secretariat, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

(3) For the Fourth Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting

Advanced Energy Systems and Structure Division, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

(4) For the 10th LNG Producer-Consumer Conference

Petroleum and Natural Gas Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

(5) For the Third TCFD Summit

Environmental Economy Office, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau

(6) For the First International Conference on Fuel Ammonia

Policy Planning Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

(7) For the Eighth ICEF

International Affairs Office, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau

(8) For the Third RD20

International Affairs Office, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau

Related website

Japan’s Roadmap to “Beyond-Zero” Carbon