Japan, Australia and Southeast Asia Vow to Cooperate in Decarbonization

Tokyo, Aug. 21 (Jiji Press)--Ministers from Japan, Australia and Southeast Asian countries agreed to work together to reduce carbon emissions in electricity, transport and industry areas at a meeting in Jakarta Wednesday.

The ministers included the agreement in a joint statement issued after their meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community.

Japan will support the development of decarbonization technologies and related laws to help AZEC partner countries pursue economic growth and transition to clean energy at the same time.

AZEC is an engine of decarbonization efforts in the region, Japanese economy minister Ken Saito said at a press conference after the ministerial meeting. The group will contribute to Asia's decarbonization by promoting projects and policy coordination, he said.

The joint statement stressed the need for energy transition from sources that emit large amounts of carbon dioxide and said some AZEC partner countries "may choose to cooperate on the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear energy."

AZEC partner countries will promote the use of hydrogen and ammonia, which do not emit carbon dioxide, in thermal power generation in Southeast Asia. They will develop supply chains for sustainable aviation fuel.

The AZEC countries released some 70 memorandums outlining private-sector collaboration. The group established the Asia Zero Emission Center in Jakarta Wednesday to help AZEC partner countries make policy.

AZEC groups Japan, Australia and all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations except Myanmar. The group will hold its second summit in Laos in October.

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