Delegation from the State of Japan

Position Paper for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The alarming truth emerges: the world is on the brink of a catastrophic reckoning. Flash floods, global
warming, rising sea levels, threatened biodiversity, and food insecurity are just one of the many effects of
climate change. The topics tackled in this paper are 1.) Utilizing Renewable Energy Towards Climate
Resilience and Futures Thinking, and 2.) Examining the Kuznets Curve for the Total Elimination of Fossil Fuel
Consumption. Member states must stay abreast, proactively challenging our capacities and establishing clear
priorities, for the consequences of inaction are dire. With that, Japan has been at the forefront of these global
agreements demonstrating its leadership in both the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, spearheading
research and development to combat climate change.

I. Utilizing Renewable Energy Towards Climate Resilience and Futures Thinking

Embracing renewable energy poses formidable challenges, particularly for nations facing a scarcity of natural
energy resources. It requires a complete overhaul of our energy infrastructure and a fundamental shift in how
we think about and use it. Many of our member states continue to be global CO2 emitters due to their inability
to self-supply energy, resulting in high reliance on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal, and crude oil
from various regions of the world, resulting in the continued use of fossil fuels. However, the benefits of
renewable energy are clear: lower carbon emissions, increased energy security, and a more sustainable future.
Hence, Japan intends to decrease their CO2 emissions by 46% in 2030 and be entirely carbon-neutral by 2050.

Japan's bid to revolutionize its energy sector is evident in the 6th Strategic Energy Plan (2021), which focuses
on the country's energy supply/demand structure of renewable energy sources. Central to this plan is the use
nuclear power as a CO2-free power source that contributes to climate change countermeasures and ensures a
stable energy supply. A key advantage of nuclear power is its typically low operational costs, which are
unaffected by fluctuations in fuel prices. Furthermore, Japan pledges to expand renewable energy integration
into the electricity market via the Feed-in-Premium (FIP) system. This initiative will result in cost savings
across the entire power system and incentivize companies to invest in renewable energy technologies,
eventually achieving the goal of 22-24% renewable power generation by 2040. The National Regulation
Authority (NRA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have set new regulatory standards to
ensure the safety of restarting new nuclear plants and other alternative resources. Japan signed a memorandum
of cooperation (MoC) with Indonesia in 2022, embracing next-generation energy sources, such as hydrogen and
ammonia, to transform the energy landscape while emitting no CO2. Additionally, Japan is exploring the use of
Carbon Recycling; Carbon Capture, Usage, and Storage (CCUS) technology; as well as power storage systems
(e.g., fuel cell batteries and Ene-Farm) which effectively separates and captures CO2, utilizing it as a valuable
raw material resource in concrete, chemicals, and fuels. Financing green technologies occur commonly through
these 3 main avenues, direct government funds, bank and financial institutions, and public-private partnership
investment. In terms of international collaboration, Japan is proud to be a member of the Just Energy Transition
Partnership (2022), supporting low-emission and climate-resilient development in Vietnam and Indonesia.
Japan also gains an edge as its corporations invest and help construct renewable energy projects overseas, such
as in India.

With that, Japan proposes a resolution through these 4 Cs: 1.) Conduct research on these new technologies to
utilize energy mix helping decrease CO2 emissions; 2.) Cooperate with other member states on safety and risk
measures on these new technologies to ensure successful implementation; 3.) Collaborate with companies by
incentivizing their contributions and investment in renewable energy through the FIP system; and 4.) Commit
to international and local regulations and policies with complete transparency and accountability to enable
support, encourage dialogue, and empower informed decisions from our communities. Japan encourages other
member states to support a resolution that brings economic benefits such as increased job opportunities, energy
security, and environmental protection.
 II. Examining the Kuznets Curve for the Total Elimination of Fossil Fuel Consumption

What does it take for a country to break free from its reliance on fossil fuels? While the Environmental Kuznets
Curve (EKC) remains a theoretical assumption, Japan sees it as a beneficial opportunity for academics,
scientists, and economists to develop a more rigorous framework for dealing with environmental concerns.
Japan's own experiences attest to the EKC's potential validity as the country endured serious environmental
pollution during its rapid industrialization in the 1960s and 1970s, pushing the government to enact rules and
employ green technologies to fight these challenges. As a result of these focused efforts, tremendous progress
has been made over time. Research said when Japan achieved high-income status, its economic priorities
moved from primarily focusing on income development to increasing quality of life. However, before this
point, CO2 emissions increased as real GDP doubled. Japan solved this issue by enacting the Law Concerning
the Promotion of the Development and Introduction of Alternative Energy (1980), which resulted in a gradual
reduction in emissions. These findings support the notion that per capita income is not solely the significant
factor in determining the increase or reduction of CO2 emissions. Instead, it is the goals established by local
governments, such as whether to prioritize environmental quality or economic prosperity. Most developing
countries prefer the latter because their technological or financial resources are limited. Hence why, Japan
believes it is our responsibility as developed member states with higher emissions and better economic
resources to give aid to low-income countries.

Moving forward, the Basic Act on Environment Policy (1993) serve as the fundamental framework for
conserving the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change while maintaining economic stability:
preemptive regulation of environmentally harmful activities, local governments enforcing regulations on
violations of environmental law, and regular check-ins with energy-intensive industries, among other things.
This is crucial if we want to not disrupt the EKC. The 6th Strategic Energy Plan (2021) can serve as the
practical solution for the total elimination of fossil fuel consumption because Japan would no longer rely on
gas, coal, or oil. Central to this plan is the use of nuclear CO2-free energy and alternative energy resources such
as hydrogen and ammonia. Japan is no exception to technological innovation, viewing it as a growth engine,
and as an OECD member, Japan has increased its commitment to research and development (R&D). To ensure
the safe implementation of new technological innovations, the National Regulation Authority (NRA) and the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have set new regulatory standards. Research says that EKC
illustrates GDP as both the cause and the cure for our environmental problems. Hence why developing
countries resist binding emission reduction targets, thinking that it can hamper their economic development.
Japan supports the Green Climate Fund (GCF) (2020) and has made financial contributions to the Climate
Investment Funds (CIF) (2008), which includes the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) (2008) and the Scaling-Up
Renewable Energy Program (SREP) (2009), both of which aim to provide funding for low-income countries'
climate initiatives. Japan intends to introduce the Feed-In-Premium (FIP) system, which incentivizes energy-
intensive companies to invest in and increase renewable energy to stabilize both economic development and
environmental quality. This will also encourage them to use greener technologies and practices. Risks and
mitigation strategies will be required by regulations such as the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
(1975).

With that, Japan proposes this ACT resolution that aims to emphasize the importance of R&D to eliminate
fossil fuel consumption. 1.) Act early by implementing or making amendments to environmental policies that
stabilize economic growth without sacrificing environmental quality or vice versa; 2.) Collaborate with member
states to financially aid low-income countries so they can invest in renewable energy or cleaner technologies;
and 3.) Technology transfer will bridge the technological gap in developing countries, help create job
opportunities, and drive economic growth while sustaining environmental quality. Through ACT, Japan
recognizes the urgent need to transition from environmentally degrading to sustainable habits so that we can
foresee a society where clean renewable energy sources form the cornerstone of our economies.
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