Media Releases
Dec 4, 2023 - Valentina Stackl
Pikachu-clad activists at COP28 call on Japan to end financing for fossil fuels
A global coalition of civil society groups organized a demonstration at COP28 in UAE on “Finance Day” to demand that the Japanese government stop financing new fossil fuel projects and shift support to renewable energy. The action featured activists wearing inflatable Pikachu costumes and a slogan calling on Japan to say #SayonaraFossilFuels.
Oct 2, 2023 - Environmental NGOs
Letter of Request: Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) should forgo support of the Block B Gas Field Development Project in Vietnam
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is currently considering investment into a gas development project in Vietnam. The Block B Gas Project spearheaded by Mitsui Oil Exploration Co., Ltd. (MOECO), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., is set to construct pipelines to, and develop and produce gas from the offshore Block B gas fields. We strongly urge JBIC to withhold from financing this project in order to respond to the climate crisis and to avoid becoming indirectly complicit in human rights violations.
Jun 29, 2023 - Environmental NGOs
Investors increase pressure on Japanese companies to take urgent climate action
Japan’s largest banks and power companies have faced a record number of shareholders backing proposals calling for greater action and transparency on meeting net-zero carbon emissions targets. The climate shareholder resolutions targeting Japan’s largest banks and energy corporations were submitted by a range of civil society organizations or their representatives, including, Friends of the Earth Japan, Kiko Network, Market Forces, and Rainforest Action Network.The results demonstrate that the tide has turned for companies failing to align their business practices with the growing risks due to the climate crisis.
Apr 16, 2023 - Valentina Stackl
Japan-hosted G7 Ministers falsely claim they have ended fossil fuel finance, leave door open to gas investments
G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers issued a communique ahead of next month’s G7 Leaders Summit that leaves the door open for investments in new capacity and endorses fossil fuel-based technologies promoted by Japan, this year’s G7 host. This contradicts IEA's most recent G7 analysis, reaffirming that no new gas fields or LNG infrastructure should be developed nor is needed in a scenario that limits global warming to 1.5°C.
Apr 14, 2023 - Environmental NGOs
Open Letter: ‘No room for fossil fuels in climate-vulnerable developing countries’ – G7 nations must reject the rollout of false energy transition technologies
39 climate and environmental groups submitted an open letter slamming G7 nations’ push for unviable energy transition technologies. These technologies include fossil gas, ammonia/ hydrogen/ biomass co-firing in existing coal / gas-fired power plants, and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), raising concerns that they prolong the use of fossil fuels amid a worsening climate crisis.