Another year is about to end, but is still setting sobering climate records. Yet many nations’ resolve to pursue ambitious climate initiatives seems to be waning, or at least migrating in search of more pragmatic solutions. This webinar will examine the COP forum’s conflicted role, the key issues at this year’s event, and Japan’s likely strategy.
Speakers:
Nobuo Tanaka, former head of the International Energy Agency (IEA)
and
Andrew DeWit, Professor of Energy Policy School of Economic Policy Studies, Rikkyo University, Tokyo
The United Nations Climate Change Conference is preparing its 28th flagship event amid decidedly muted expectations and increasing climate angst. The host state, the UAE, is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer, and climate activists are skeptical about its clean energy ambitions. Geopolitical challenges and the precarious state of the global economy threaten the prospects for new initiatives to address climate change.
Skeptics now increasingly ask whether COP continues to be relevant, since so many promises made at previous meetings remain unfulfilled.
Still, the COP conference is the premier event on the climate and energy calendar and shapes the global conversation. But can it deliver more?
In this webinar we will review:
- Key issues on the agenda in the UAE
- Factors influencing deliberations and policy announcements
- Japan’s likely stance at the event
- Outlook for climate action beyond COP28
Nobuo Tanaka is Chairman of the steering committee of the Innovation for Cool Earth Forum (ICEF), which was established by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014. He was Chairman and President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation for 2015-2020. As Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) from 2007 to 2011, he initiated a collective release of oil stocks in June 2011. He also played a crucial and personal role in the strengthening of ties with major non-member energy players, including China and India.
Andrew DeWit is Professor in the School of Economic Policy Studies at Rikkyo University, Tokyo, and an Asia-Pacific Journal editor. His work examines the raw materials, technologies and politics that formulate energy policy, and how policies translate into real action. He is the author of “Japan’s (re)integration of energy in industrial policy,” in Critical Issues in Contemporary Japan, 2nd Edition, and “Energy,” in Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Japan.
Yuriy Humber is the founder of the Japan NRG platform. He is also a columnist on energy issues for Nikkei Asia and, together with Andrew DeWit, author of “Net Zero Sum”, a white paper published by CLSA brokerage on Japanese energy policies.