Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview:
Renewable Energy Council (REC) appears to be engaging positively on climate change policy in Japan. I In its top-line messaging, it acknowledges the need for ambitious action on climate change and the support the need for climate policy. They have also been actively advocating for the active discussion on carbon tax as well as are calling for more ambitious policy on renewable energy in Japan.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy:
REC appears to be highly positive on top-line messaging on climate policy. REC advocated for the introduction of renewable energy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 In its policy statement submitted to Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (METI) in December 2020. In December 2021, the association appears broadly supportive of the need for policy to respond to climate change, such as introducing carbon pricing, through its policy proposal submitted to METI. In the same proposal, REC also advocated for policymakers to raise their ambition in relation to the UNFCCC process.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations:
REC appears to be engaging actively on climate-related regulations in Japan.
REC voiced support for carbon pricing, including a carbon tax, by submitting a policy statement in December 2021 to METI. In July 2020, REC appeared to support more ambitious renewable energy policy in its policy proposal submitted to METI and MOE.
In December 2020, REC requested METI to take measures to expand the use of distributed energy while continuing to support energy conservation in the residential sector.
Positioning on Energy Transition: REC appears to have a very positive position on energy transition.
In October 2020, REC submitted a policy proposal to METI and MOE that supported setting an ambitious renewable energy target in the Sixth Energy Basic Plan and taking a clear position in renewable energy as a "main source of power." REC also advocated for the government to “take the initiative in getting involved” in increasing renewable energy in the energy mix in a July 2020 position statement to the two ministries,
In the same statement, the organization also expressed its support for hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources.
REC appeared to support the decarbonization of housing and the the electrification of transport in August 2019 and December 2020 policy statements to METI and MOE.
InfluenceMap collects and assesses evidence of corporate climate policy engagement on a weekly basis, depending on the availability of information from each specific data source (for more information see our methodology). While this analysis flows through to the company’s scores each week, the summary above is updated periodically. This summary was last updated in Q4 2022.