In April 2021, Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) formulated the "Carbon Neutral Initiative” which sets forth policies for strengthening Japan's energy security and addressing climate change. JOGMEC has launched various projects with the aim of ensuring energy security and contributing to a decarbonized society. In particular, JOGMEC positions carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) as a technology that would contribute to the stable supply of energy resources and the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050. The organization intends to accelerate its efforts to support domestic and international CCS projects promoted by Japanese companies and strengthen international collaboration with particular focus on ASEAN.
While CCS is being considered worldwide as an essential technology for achieving net zero emissions and decarbonizing the industrial sector, one of the challenges is the uneven distribution of suitable storage sites. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to have sufficient storage potential, and like in Europe, cross-border CO2 transport may become an important business model in Asia in the future.
As part of these efforts, in collaboration with Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Asia CCUS Network, JOGMEC will hold a workshop aiming to contribute to the social implementation of CCS, including cross-border transport of CO2, in the Asia-Pacific region through lectures by experts and discussions among stakeholders.