Japan pushes fossil fuel tech in Asia carbon neutrality initiative

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🗞️ Driving the news: A recent report reveals that 35% of the 158 agreements signed under Japan’s Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) are tied to fossil fuel technologies like LNG, carbon capture, and ammonia co-firing
• Environmental groups are concerned these technologies could delay the region's carbon neutrality goals.

🔭 The context: AZEC, launched by Japan in 2023, is a coalition of 11 countries aiming for carbon neutrality while ensuring energy security
• Critics argue that focusing on fossil fuel technologies undermines the region’s climate commitments, as cleaner renewable options are sidelined

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The promotion of fossil fuel projects, especially with technologies like CCS and ammonia co-firing, could hinder global efforts to curb emissions and address climate change effectively

⏭️ What's next: The upcoming AZEC summit in Laos, chaired by Japan’s Prime Minister, will seek agreement on a 10-year action plan, though debates over the balance between fossil fuels and renewables are expected to intensify

💬 One quote: "Fossil-based technologies... have much higher lifecycle emissions than solar and wind" - Amy Kong, a researcher at Zero Carbon Analytics

📈 One stat: 35% of the AZEC projects involve fossil fuels, while only 34% focus on renewable energy technologies like solar and wind

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