Oil and Gas Methane Mitigation: Opportunities for Japan’s Decarbonization

Thursday October 20, 2022, 9:30AM – 4:30PM

Over the past year, Japan has stepped up its climate commitment on the international stage to cut the emissions of methane, a short-lived but powerful greenhouse gas. In November 2021, at COP26, Japan along with more than 100 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels. In June 2022, Japan joined the GMP Energy Pathway as an inaugural member, and together with the EU pledged to provide technical and financial assistance in reducing oil and gas value chain methane footprints. Methane collaboration was also prominently featured in the Japan-US Leadership Announcement, in the strengthened Japan-US Clean Energy Partnership, and under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

At a time of global energy and climate crises, the role of gas in low-carbon transition and the importance of methane abatement for enhanced energy security and climate stability have become all the more critical for the world’s top LNG importer countries like Japan.

On October 20, 2022, the Environmental Defense Fund and IGES will sponsor a high-level in-person conference in Tokyo on the opportunities associated with the oil and gas methane mitigation for Japan’s decarbonization. The event will bring together senior government officials, industry and business leaders, policy advisors and international organizations to discuss global methane momentum, technology solutions, business opportunities, and how Japan can take the leadership on GMP Energy Pathway.

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Event Details

Date
Thursday October 20, 2022, 9:30AM – 4:30PM
Venue

Toranomon Hills Forum, Tokyo

Co-Organisers
Languages
English / Japanese
(Simultaneous interpretation)

Presentation Materials

9:30 Opening Remarks Mark Brownstein, Senior Vice President, Energy Transition, EDF  
    Yasuo Takahashi, Executive Director, IGES  
9:40 Keynote Speech Dr. Aaron Forsberg, Economic Minister Counselor, U.S. Embassy  
    Tim Gould, Chief Economist, International Energy Agency  
10:15 Panel Discussion
Session I: Science and International Momentum on O&G Methane
How critical is METHANE to achieving climate targets in addition to CO2? What international efforts and collaborations are under way to reduce methane?
  Dr. Akihiko Ito, National Institute for Environmental Studies  
Dr. Yuriko Hayabuchi, Kyushu University  
Hiroshi Hashimoto, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Institute of Energy Economics, Japan  
Mark Brownstein, EDF  
Moderator: Mina Berkow, EDF  
11:15 Panel Discussion
Session II: Japan’s Methane Pledge & Decarbonization Policy
What opportunities does Japan have to play a leadership role on methane reductions internationally? How can the implementation of the GMP advance Japan’s decarbonization plans at home and in Southeast Asia?
  Dr. Xianbing Liu, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies PDF (734KB)
Koji Yamada, Ministry of the Environment, Japan  
Hiroshi Hashimoto, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Institute of Energy Economics, Japan  
Dr. Shiro Hori, Fukuoka University  
Moderator: Kunihiko Shimada, KS International Strategies,Inc  
12:15 Lunch Break
1:45 Panel Discussion
Session III: Industry and business experiences with methane mitigation along the oil and gas supply chain
What action can Japan’s oil & gas industry take today in light of Japan’s energy policy? What tools are available for Japan to impact methane emissions along the value chain? How do efforts to reduce methane dovetail with the country’s energy security concerns?
  Tim Bjerkelund, Rystad Energy  
Wataru Nojiri, INPEX CORPORATION  
Makoto Simouchi, JOGMEC  
Tomohide Muraoka, JGC Holdings  
Moderator: Mark Brownstein, EDF  
3:00 Closing Remarks
3:05 Adjourn