What sort of year was 2025 considering climate change and the coal exit?
Japan Beyond Coal (JBC) published about 30 news articles and 13 reports reflecting global trends in 2025. Now, JBC would like to highlight the top five most-read articles of the year.

5th

【News】 Long-term Decarbonization Power Source Auction: What is it, and how can it be fixed?　
The “Long-Term Decarbonization Power Source Auction (LTDA)” has been established to encourage new investment in “decarbonized sources.” However, in reality, it provides long-term financial support for power sources that hardly contribute to “decarbonization”—such as new LNG-fired power plants and safety measures for existing nuclear plants—while renewable energy, which should be prioritized as a decarbonized source, fails to win bids and receives no funding.
Under the review for the third auction in FY2025, further detrimental changes have been proposed. For extremely generous subsidies for costly measures to extend the lifespan of thermal power plants—such as hydrogen/ammonia co-firing and CCS (CO2 capture and storage)— are being considered. The governmental support includes “doubling the maximum bid price,” “allowing variable costs like fuel expenses to be included,” and “allowing the winning bid price to be adjusted (based on factors such as upward fluctuations in fixed costs) after the bid is won.”
The LTDA is shaping up to reflect the statements and demands of major power companies at the council. Future increases in public burdens are unavoidable, is this really acceptable?

4th

【Report】For the first time, global surface temperature exceeds 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
2024 was the first year the global average temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This article summarizes reports from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). These reports stated that a swift course change is necessary.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo commented, “It is important to emphasize that a single year of more than 1.5°C for a year does NOT mean that we have failed to meet Paris Agreement long-term temperature goals,” and he argued that even a slight rise in temperature should be taken seriously.

3rd

【News】 JERA’s Taketoyo Thermal Power Station resumes operation after explosion
JERA’s Taketoyo Thermal Power Station (Taketoyo City, Aichi Prefecture), one of Japan’s largest coal-fired power plants, had a fire accident in January 2024. To reduce CO2 emissions, the plant had been co-firing coal with 17% wood pellets. A fire caused by wood pellets triggered an explosion in the boiler building. After the accident, JERA announced that its operations would resume during peak demand periods starting January 2025, initially using only coal as fuel. And JERA stated that it will restart co-firing with wood pellets (8%) around the end of FY2026.
Even though residents protested the restart, JERA proceeded with it without sufficient consultation with the community. Is it really necessary to restart the Taketoyo Thermal Power Station? This article raises the questions.

2nd

【News】Tunnel planned to transport CO2 for Tokyo area CCS project
Have you heard that a plan called “Metropolitan Area CCS Project” is quietly advancing to construct a pipeline across the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture to transport CO2 emitted from factories and other sources? This CCS Project aims to transport CO2 emitted from industrial areas along Tokyo Bay— from companies such as Nippon Steel — across the peninsula via the pipeline and store it deep underground beneath the seabed on the Pacific side.
Starting in summer 2025, informational meetings for residents in the very limited areas where the pipeline will pass are being held sequentially. However, only minimal explanation is provided regarding the risks, with the repeated emphasis on how “safe” it is. Furthermore, the total cost of the project remains entirely undisclosed.
CCS projects are planned not only in the Tokyo metropolitan area but nationwide. JBC hopes many people will learn about these projects and voice their concerns to the operators in their local communities.

1st

【News】 Matsushima Thermal Power Station closures and the future of the GENESIS Matsushima Plan
JBC has been closely monitoring the status of the two units at the Matsushima Thermal Power Station (Matsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture) owned by J-POWER. Unit 1 was closed on May 1, 2025. Unit 2 is currently suspended, but J-POWER is planning to “up-cycle” this unit and restart it as the “GENESIS Matsushima” project.
What exactly is this plan about? How can J-POWER possibly restart coal-fired power plants, a primary driver of climate change, when they are globally required to phase out now? JBC explains the issues, taking into account factors like electricity demand.
The next step of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the GENESIS Matsushima Project is the “Draft Environmental Impact Statement,” which is expected to begin shortly, along with its public comment period. JBC hopes that many people will take an interest and raise their voices in opposition.

The information platform “ACT Matsushima” has been updated!
Any updated information about GENESIS Matsushima will be posted on this site.
▶ACT Matsushima：https://act-matsushima.jp/

Looking at the Top 5 articles, it seems that public interest is higher regarding the government and major power companies’ movements to maintain coal-fired power plants.
2025 was also the year the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark advisory opinion. The ICJ’s advisory opinion stated that “States parties to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions,” and that “Failure of a State to take appropriate action to protect the climate system from GHG emissions — including through fossil fuel production, fossil fuel consumption, the granting of fossil fuel exploration licences or the provision of fossil fuel subsidies — may constitute an internationally wrongful act which is attributable to that State.”
Based on this ICJ’s advisory opinion, climate litigation is expected to be active worldwide. Technological developments will help identify the impacts of climate change on specific businesses, and operators will face increased demands for further action.

What will happen in 2026? JBC will continue to report on movements of the Japanese government and businesses.