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The Diplomat
a day ago
- Business
- The Diplomat
Gas Pains: Why Australia Must Reset Its Energy Ties With Japan and South Korea
Australia can't be a regional climate leader unless it has hard conversations about LNG with its friends in Japan and South Korea. Behind closed doors, Australia has been lobbying hard to secure its bid to host the UNFCCC's annual climate forum in 2026. Although the deal has yet to be inked, key stakeholders in this space are already preparing for an Australia-Pacific COP31, with an end to fossil fuel expansion expected to be a key pillar of negotiations. Following its decisive re-election in May, Australia's center-left Albanese government is confident it can sell its climate credentials on the world stage. This is in no small part due to a rapid rollout of renewable energy projects, with over 40 percent of Australia's main electricity grid now powered by solar, wind, and hydropower. However, this success story is dramatically undercut by Australia's unwavering support for its fossil fuel exports, and the diplomatic nexus protecting this trade. Australia is the second-largest exporter of gas in the world, and Japan and South Korea are two of the primary destinations for this gas. While these countries have historically relied on Australia's gas exports (i.e. liquefied natural gas, or LNG), both Japan and South Korea have made public commitments to transition away from fossil fuels and increase renewable energy capacity, and their domestic demand for gas is already declining. In spite of this, the Japanese and Korean governments continue to invest heavily in the extraction, processing, transport, and deployment of gas. Between 2008 and 2024, both countries contributed over US$20 billion of public finance into Australian gas projects, as outlined in Jubilee Australia's newly released research report. Such finance, funneled through export credit agencies, has been a key factor in the economic viability of many large Australian gas projects. With these projects facing increasing scrutiny on the grounds of their intensive emissions contributions, international civil society have called for an end of the Japanese and Korean taxpayers bankrolling fossil fuel expansion. In what have become familiar refrains in diplomatic and trade talks, Japanese and Korean financiers point to two key justifications for their expansion of Australia's gas production. The first is the need for further gas supply to meet their domestic energy security requirements. The second is that LNG is a bridging fuel, needed to transition regional developing economies out of coal and into renewables. Neither argument stacks up. A growing evidence base has been produced by independent financial analysts that demonstrates Japan is contracting more gas than its domestic economy requires. The surplus is resold around the region, with the buildout of the LNG supply chain intended to keep the gas industry operating and profiting for as long as possible. Japanese companies and public financiers invest heavily in downstream infrastructure, such as power plants, to 'cultivate Asian demand.' While Korean investment in Australian gas projects has declined in recent years, major industry firms continue to invest in LNG shipbuilding and transport. These corporate profit margins rely on the Australian government keeping the tap running, by opening up new and emissions-intensive gas fields for export purposes. This 'Gas Empire,' as detailed in the Jubilee report, is heavily reliant on a sophisticated diplomatic apparatus to protect its interests. When the Albanese government has developed policies to support Australia's climate and energy priorities that would potentially derail proposed fossil fuel projects, Japanese government-aligned think tanks and industry bodies have made bold interventions in the Australian media to skew the domestic energy debate. These interventions appeal to Australia's national pride in being a reliable energy trading partner, with the more benign being calls to 'keep the lights on in Tokyo.' However, more alarming rhetoric has implied any moves by the Australian government to phase down its fossil fuel exports would jeopardize global peace. Some members of the Australian government have seemingly welcomed these interventions, expressly inviting submissions by Japanese and Korean gas industry groups in drafting Australia's energy policies, notably last year's Future Gas Strategy that envisaged a role for gas 'beyond' 2050. As concern continues to grow within the Australian public about its own energy security, and the substantial taxpayer subsidies and favorable arrangements provided to the fossil fuel industry, we have to ask the question: can the Australian government exercise sovereignty in its own energy policies? With COP31 on the horizon, the Albanese government is running out of time to answer this question. A key test in the lead up to this event will be at the Asia Zero Emissions Community, or AZEC. Despite the name, civil society groups around the Asia-Pacific have lambasted AZEC as a greenwashing exercise for Japan's fossil fuel expansion. The criticism is that AZEC enables fossil fuel interests to promote technologies to 'mitigate' their emissions. These dangerous technologies, such as carbon capture and storage and ammonia co-firing, are proposed as solutions but consistently fail in their efforts to reduce emissions. Instead, they are promoted to justify opening up new gas projects. The gap between Japan's rhetoric and its action has previously been noted by other analysts on The Diplomat. As a member of AZEC, Australia has a responsibility to hold it to account. Australia is involved in 12 proposed joint ventures under the initiative, only three of which are actually focused on renewables. With renewable energy alternatives already cheaper, cleaner, and less susceptible to geopolitical tensions, Australia's continued support for Japan's mythical fossil fuel abatement technologies is placing it on the wrong side of history. Though the comparison may have seemed unlikely some years ago, these diplomatic efforts to greenwash fossil fuels stand in stark contrast to China, which is well on the way to realizing its vision of being the region's renewable energy export superpower. As humanity stands on the precipice, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for world leaders to scale up ambition to avoid irreversible climate damage. At a recent summit with world leaders he proclaimed that 'the world is moving forward, full-speed' and added: 'No group or government can stop the clean energy revolution.' Diplomatic efforts between Australia, South Korea, and Japan must reflect this imperative. Australia's commitment to the Clean Energy Transition Partnership has marked an end to its public financing of the international fossil fuel sector, and the Albanese government must now take active steps to welcome South Korea and Japan into the agreement. Bilateral decarbonization agreements must be struck to support an orderly transition away from fossil fuel reliance. And in the lead up to COP31, Australia must set a clear standard that rejects the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists in multilateral climate negotiations. But above all, Australia, South Korea and Japan must embrace the diplomacy of the future: no new coal, oil, and gas.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Vanuatu Statement Ahead Of Landmark International Court Of Justice Advisory Opinion On Climate Change
Statement by Hon. Jotham Napat, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Port Vila, Vanuatu (14 July 2025) 'We eagerly await the landmark opinion of the world's highest court on the greatest existential challenge facing our planet: the climate crisis. The Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which will be issued on July 23 at 3:00 pm CEST, is not just a legal milestone, it is a defining moment in the global climate justice movement and a beacon of hope for present and future generations. 'Vanuatu and our fellow Small Island Developing States have long sounded the alarm as the seas rise around us, the storms grow stronger, and the cost of inaction deepens by the day. We have done so not out of fear, but from a place of courage, principle, and conviction that justice must prevail, and that the law must serve those most at risk. 'This case was born from a spark of hope from Pacific youth who dared to bring the world's biggest problem before the world's highest court, and their call was echoed by over 80 nations who stood together to demand climate justice. 'For the first time ever, the past decade includes the ten hottest years on record—and last year was the hottest ever. The United Nations tracked 152 unprecedented extreme weather events around the world in 2024, and this number will continue to grow as climate change continues to intensify. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading 'We turned to the Court to clarify what international law already requires of States, because putting all our faith in mechanisms like the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement are not generating the actions the world urgently needs fast enough. We sought confirmation that States' legal obligations extend to their climate-related actions, especially when those actions have caused harm beyond borders. 'A favorable opinion from the Court could affirm that States have had long-standing legal obligations to act on climate change, including obligations rooted in human rights and environmental law. It could clarify the legal consequences for States that have failed to meet these obligations. It could provide a powerful tool for courts, communities, and negotiators around the world to seek remedies for the climate injustices that have occurred. It could support vulnerable nations in securing climate finance, technology, and loss and damage support. And it could help shift the global response from promises to accountability. 'I am hopeful for a powerful opinion from the ICJ. It could set the world on a meaningful path to accountability and action. 'But no matter the ICJ's ruling, this will be a turning point in the fight for climate justice. This process has elevated the voices of climate-vulnerable nations, driven global awareness, and set the stage for stronger climate action. This ruling will give us a foundation to build upon, and this moment will inspire continued efforts for stronger action and accountability, inspiring bold efforts to protect our planet.' Vanuatu and allies have led the initiative to obtain this Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Vanuatu government officials will be in the Hague for the readout of the Court's ruling on July 23.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bihar greenlights plan for clean energy push
NEW DELHI: Bihar government on Friday announced a policy to facilitate renewable energy adoption in the state with benefits of streamlined single-window clearance system and 100% reimbursement of state goods and services tax (SGST), land conversion fees, and stamp duty on lease or transfer of land. The policy also grants a 100% waiver on electricity duty for 15 years and provides long-term open access for 25 years along with full exemption from transmission and wheeling charges. "With the free ISTS (inter-state transmission system) regime drawing to a close, it is time for the industry to act. We are offering one of the most attractive policy regimes in the country-those who invest in Bihar now will fetch maximum returns and lead India's clean energy revolution from the front," Manoj Kumar Singh , energy secretary of Bihar, said. The policy aims to promote active stakeholder engagement in the manufacturing and deployment of renewable energy projects, while encouraging the integration of advanced and efficient technologies in both generation and storage. To support these ambitions, the policy introduces a highly competitive suite of incentives designed to attract investors and developers from across the country. As per the policy, state utilities will bear the cost of transmission and distribution infrastructure up to 10 km, with shared responsibility beyond that point. Renewable energy projects will have "must run" status and separate feed-in tariffs tailored to different technologies, along with guarantees like minimum generation compensation, energy banking, and a robust payment security mechanism, a government statement said. Developers will also benefit from priority access to government land on long-term leases, deemed industry status and eligibility to claim carbon credits under UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) or other national schemes. A minimum of 5% of the renewable energy budget will be allocated exclusively to research and development initiatives. According to the Central Electricity Authority's Resource Adequacy Plan, Bihar must procure about 23 GW of renewable energy by FY30.
Economic Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Bihar greenlights plan for clean energy push
NEW DELHI: Bihar government on Friday announced a policy to facilitate renewable energy adoption in the state with benefits of streamlined single-window clearance system and 100% reimbursement of state goods and services tax (SGST), land conversion fees, and stamp duty on lease or transfer of land. The policy also grants a 100% waiver on electricity duty for 15 years and provides long-term open access for 25 years along with full exemption from transmission and wheeling charges. "With the free ISTS (inter-state transmission system) regime drawing to a close, it is time for the industry to act. We are offering one of the most attractive policy regimes in the country-those who invest in Bihar now will fetch maximum returns and lead India's clean energy revolution from the front," Manoj Kumar Singh, energy secretary of Bihar, said. The policy aims to promote active stakeholder engagement in the manufacturing and deployment of renewable energy projects, while encouraging the integration of advanced and efficient technologies in both generation and storage. To support these ambitions, the policy introduces a highly competitive suite of incentives designed to attract investors and developers from across the country. As per the policy, state utilities will bear the cost of transmission and distribution infrastructure up to 10 km, with shared responsibility beyond that energy projects will have "must run" status and separate feed-in tariffs tailored to different technologies, along with guarantees like minimum generation compensation, energy banking, and a robust payment security mechanism, a government statement said. Developers will also benefit from priority access to government land on long-term leases, deemed industry status and eligibility to claim carbon credits under UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) or other national schemes. A minimum of 5% of the renewable energy budget will be allocated exclusively to research and development to the Central Electricity Authority's Resource Adequacy Plan, Bihar must procure about 23 GW of renewable energy by FY30.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bihar greenlights plan for clean energy push
NEW DELHI: Bihar government on Friday announced a policy to facilitate renewable energy adoption in the state with benefits of streamlined single-window clearance system and 100% reimbursement of state goods and services tax (SGST), land conversion fees, and stamp duty on lease or transfer of land. The policy also grants a 100% waiver on electricity duty for 15 years and provides long-term open access for 25 years along with full exemption from transmission and wheeling charges. "With the free ISTS (inter-state transmission system) regime drawing to a close, it is time for the industry to act. We are offering one of the most attractive policy regimes in the country-those who invest in Bihar now will fetch maximum returns and lead India's clean energy revolution from the front," Manoj Kumar Singh , energy secretary of Bihar, said. The policy aims to promote active stakeholder engagement in the manufacturing and deployment of renewable energy projects, while encouraging the integration of advanced and efficient technologies in both generation and storage. To support these ambitions, the policy introduces a highly competitive suite of incentives designed to attract investors and developers from across the country. As per the policy, state utilities will bear the cost of transmission and distribution infrastructure up to 10 km, with shared responsibility beyond that point. Renewable energy projects will have "must run" status and separate feed-in tariffs tailored to different technologies, along with guarantees like minimum generation compensation, energy banking, and a robust payment security mechanism, a government statement said. Developers will also benefit from priority access to government land on long-term leases, deemed industry status and eligibility to claim carbon credits under UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) or other national schemes. A minimum of 5% of the renewable energy budget will be allocated exclusively to research and development initiatives. According to the Central Electricity Authority's Resource Adequacy Plan, Bihar must procure about 23 GW of renewable energy by FY30.
