Japan, Australia to tie up on hydrogen supply for zero emissions Asia, announced at first Azec meeting
- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida underscored how hydrogen could be a valuable source of clean energy, especially in a region prone to natural disasters
- His announcement came during the inaugural meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community framework, comprising Australia, Japan and 11 Asean-member nations
Japan announced on Saturday the launch of a hydrogen supply chain with Australia during a meeting with Southeast Asian nations gathered for their first ministerial discussion about the reduction of carbon emissions in the region.
In a video message for the Asia Zero Emission Community framework, an initiative proposed by Japan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he would like to expand hydrogen supply chain networks throughout the region by cooperating further with Asian nations.
“In Asia, we should hold as many energy options as possible, and hydrogen and ammonia are options,” he said, underscoring hydrogen could be a valuable source of energy in making clean energy transitions, especially in a region prone to natural disasters.
In a joint statement issued after the one-day meeting in Tokyo, a total of 11 nations joining Azec said they “recognise that accelerating the energy transition in the Asian region is key to achieve the goals” of the Paris international accord to tackle climate change.
Japan is pitching new decarbonisation technologies, such as using hydrogen and ammonia in thermal power generation and carbon dioxide capture. It has also called for carbon neutrality while securing a stable energy supply amid an energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In January last year, Kishida announced the Asia zero emission concept to promote regional decarbonisation and cooperation in advancing the transition to clean energy.