We have expanded the list of climate policies we assess company engagement with to incorporate land-use related policy, referring to legislative or regulatory measures to enhance and protect ecosystems and land where carbon is being stored. Assessments under this category are currently underweighted in terms of their contribution to the overall company metrics. This weighting will be progressively increased over the next 6 months.
We adjusted the terminology used to describe the queries running down the left-hand side of our scoring matrix and added additional explanatory text to the info-boxes. This has no impact on the scores and methodology. It has been done following user feedback to improve clarity.
Climate Lobbying Overview: Automobile Business Association of Japan (ABAJ) appears to have very limited engagement with climate related policies. It appears to have communicated broad support for Japan’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, however has opposed a gasoline and diesel fuel tax.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: ABAJ appears to have limited top-line messaging on climate change. On its website, accessed in September 2022, ABAJ’s chair, Uchiyamada, appeared to communicate broad support for efforts towards Japan’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. ABAJ has not indicated whether it supports the Paris Agreement.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: ABAJ has no transparent position on, or engagement with, climate-related regulations.
Positioning on Energy Transition: ABAJ appears to have very limited and negative engagement with climate-related regulation in Japan. In the Request for Tax Reform for FY2021 submitted to the government in October 2020, ABAJ communicated opposition towards gasoline and diesel fuel tax, arguing that it is becoming a burden for customers, is irrational and should be eliminated.