The Japan Carbon Frontier Organization (JCOAL) held the 34th Clean Coal Day International Symposium on September 4th and the Energy Security with Decarbonization Symposium 2025 on September 5th, commemorating the 5th September of Clean Coal Day. In these symposiums, numerous presentations were made by relevant agencies and companies from major coal-producing and consuming countries, such as the United States, India, China, Australia, Poland, Malaysia, and South Africa, along with various international organizations including the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Global CCS Institute (GCCSI), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the FutureCoal Global Alliance, the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), the VGBE Energy e.V. (VGBE), and others, as well as Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and experts.
JCOAL, which presented both symposiums, had been called “Japan Coal Frontier Organization” but changed its official name to “Japan Carbon Frontier Organization” in 2023. It was established through the reorganization and integration of government-affiliated organizations that had been set up to increase international coal supply and stabilize domestic coal supply and demand. Therefore, the JCOAL Statement which presents the outcomes of discussions emphasizes the view that continuous coal use will be necessary in the future.
However, there were some interesting trends in the presentations and remarks that were not apparent from the JCOAL Statement.
(1) There is a strong commitment to achieving a decarbonized society in emerging economies.
Presentations by countries and regions that produce coal, such as India, China, and ASEAN nations, which currently heavily rely on coal for power generation, highlighted the difficulty of transitioning away from coal-fired power. However, presenters repeatedly stated in their presentations and in response to questions that achieving a decarbonized society to halt climate change is fundamental and that these countries intend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by expanding renewable energy, even if it seems difficult.
(2) Japan’s deep-rooted reliance on coal
Statements and remarks from Japanese government officials, experts, and companies contrasted sharply with the commitment of emerging nations to achieving a decarbonized society. In their presentations and statements, they cited recent events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the beginning of Trump’s second term, and increased electricity demand for data centers due to the growth of AI, as reasons to justify continued coal use. For instance, a few experts repeatedly claimed that the Paris Agreement and the backcasting approach to the 1.5°C target were ineffective. Furthermore, justifications for continued coal use were prevalent even in presentations on corporate decarbonization technologies.
(3) Declining economic rationality of coal-related industries
Over the course of two days, companies and industry groups involved in coal mining and transportation, both domestically and internationally, gave various presentations. Most of the presentations were appeals for investment from the Japanese government and companies. With growing expectations that global coal demand will decline, companies are struggling to secure the necessary funds for business continuity and capital investment.
Summary
Global electricity demand is expected to maintain steady growth going forward, while the scale of renewable energy is also rapidly expanding worldwide. Certainly, some countries face challenges in expanding renewable energy. Nevertheless, attendees at the symposiums showed that nations around the world are steadily making efforts toward realizing a decarbonized society. On the other hand, presentations and statements of Japanese attendees seemed to merely acknowledge the difficulty in breaking away from coal dependence, and appeared to have half-abandoned efforts toward realizing a decarbonized society. It is hardly befitting of a developed nation to neglect climate change countermeasures while committing to a net-zero goal by 2050. There is an urgent need for more earnest efforts toward realizing a decarbonized society.
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