Release of Net Zero Japan 2050
—Summary for Business Leaders—
Interim Report Summary on Decarbonization Scenarios for 2050
The relentless progression of global warming is outpacing scientific predictions, pushing the sustainability of our planet’s shared resources, the global commons, to a critical juncture. Achieving the 1.5°C target set forth in the Paris Agreement is becoming an increasingly urgent and formidable global challenge. In close collaboration with Japanese business leaders, Center for Global Commons at the University of Tokyo established the industry-academia platform, ETI-CGC in 2021. ETI-CGC engages in activities to draw the pathways to transform Japan’s energy system to cope with the climate change crisis from a scientific perspective, as well as to chart out the socio-economic visions to realize a prosperous future. As part of these activities, we have conducted the Net-Zero Japan 2050 scenario analysis, which outlines how Japan can decarbonize its energy system by 2050. We are pleased to publish the results of the interim analysis in the form of a summary for business leaders.
Decarbonizing the economy by the middle of this century is essential to achieve the 1.5°C target. This report illustrates quantitative energy system scenarios that can achieve net zero by 2050 and is intended to serve as a starting point for devising strategies based on a backcasting approach to achieve net zero in the future.
This report is developed based on scientifically acknowledged decarbonization technological solutions, such as the introduction of renewable energy, energy shift from fossil fuels to electricity (promotion of electrification), increased use of CO2-free fuels, utilization of nuclear power, and CO2 capture and storage (CCS). It quantitatively clarifies the possibility of achieving net zero by 2050, taking into account Japan’s unique circumstances. At the same time, it also reveals the need for drastic transitions that are technically possible but not feasible without bold policies and investments, such as large-scale electrification, massive deployment of renewable energy, and procurement of CO2-free hydrogen.
We hope that the release of this report will stimulate widespread discussion among Japanese business leaders and stakeholders about effective and economically feasible pathways to achieve net zero emissions. The Center plans to further develop its analysis through in-depth research and discussions on critical technology development and social implementation efforts in each industrial sector, policies and financing required to facilitate transitions, and comprehensive social and economic visions, including industrial structure.
Click here for the report (opens the ETI-CGC page on the CGC website):