Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii Visited Berlin, Germany

1. Attending the E-Fuels Dialogue 2024 and signing the Berlin Declaration

On Tuesday, June 4, the E-Fuels Dialogue 2024 was held in Berlin, Germany, hosted by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Germany. As a representative of Japan, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii attended. This was the second meeting following the first held in 2023. As co-host countries, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Lithuania, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan, participated in the meeting this year. The meeting brought together governmental stakeholders from 16 countries and representatives of about 70 companies and research organizations.

In terms of subjects covered, the meeting focused on challenges in e-fuels and their potential for use. In particular, companies making advanced efforts in the field of e-fuels were introduced by participants and they held discussions on what hurdles there are to increasing the production and reducing the cost of e-fuels and what kind of system design would be necessary, sharing their knowledge.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii stated the importance of a triple breakthrough for the realization of a carbon neutral society, namely an approach to simultaneously ensuring not only [i] the reduction of greenhouse gases, but also [ii] economic growth and [iii] energy security. In addition, he stated that e-fuels, which are excellent in terms of storage and transport, are considered a contributor to the decarbonization of fuels, a provider of new business opportunities to regions rich in renewable energy resources, including the Global South, and an enhancer of resilience stable supply in energy systems. He continued that accordingly, e-fuels are a form of technology that truly realizes just such a triple breakthrough.

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Taking advantage of this meeting, the Berlin Declaration was released as the world's first ministerial statement focusing on e-fuels. Together with H.E. Mr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, Germany, and H.E. Dr. Marius Skuodis, Minister of Transport and Communications, Lithuania, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii signed the declaration.

In the declaration, the ministers stated that they recognize the importance of employing technology-neutral policies to achieve decarbonization in the transport sector, while also effectively making use of renewable resources; and the potential for making use of e-fuels for commercial vehicles and in the fields of aviation and shipping—in which high energy density is essential in transporting energy from various locations around the world that are suitable for renewable energy generation—as well as for making use of such fuels for existing vehicles, which are efforts conducted by leveraging the ease of e-fuels in terms of storage and transport. Moreover, the ministers shared the awareness that their countries will boost the production, sales, and utilization of e-fuels in all transport sectors.

In light of this, they declared the countries’ willingness to: share knowledge on the operation, production, and utilization of e-fuels; invest in research and development of e-fuels and promote proper assessment of initiatives for early commercialization; continue to scale up renewable energy generation around the world; enhance interoperability in standardization and carbon dioxide accounting methods; and maintain technological neutrality on their path towards a climate-neutral society and economy while ensuring the most efficient utilization of renewable energy resources.

Outcome document

• BERLIN DECLARATION ON E-FUELS IN MOBILITY(PDF:1,460KB)

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2. Attending Berlin Aviation Summit 2024

On Tuesday, June 4, Berlin Aviation Summit 2024 was held as an occasion for ministers of related countries and representatives of international organizations and industrial players to hold discussions on the future of the field of aviation. Participants confirmed future directions toward decarbonization in the field of aviation, including the utilization of e-fuels.

3. Attending the opening ceremony for ILA Berlin (international aerospace show) and observing company booths

ILA Berlin, an international motor show, started on Wednesday, June 5, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii participated in the opening ceremony for the show. In addition, he toured some company booths.

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4. Exchanging views with representatives of local companies and Japanese companies developing business in Germany

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii held meetings with representatives of Volkswagen AG, E-fuel Alliance, and Japanese companies developing business in the country. He exchanged views on the respective companies’ strategies for carbon neutrality, measures for accelerating the dissemination of e-fuels, and the current situation of and challenges in business in Europe.

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Division in Charge

Fuel Supply Infrastructure Policy Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy