At COP26, China yielded nothing—continuing coal expansion through 2030 and delaying its net-zero target to 2060—while advanced nations voluntarily imposed strict 2050 pledges and yearly progress checks, risking future condemnation. Taishi Sugiyama argues Japan must move beyond a renewables-first mindset and return to nuclear energy, including restarts and new construction.

November 25, 2021
The following is from the Sankei Shimbun of November 22, an interview with Taishi Sugiyama, Research Director at the Canon Institute for Global Studies, titled “China Yielded Nothing and Won Completely.”
It is must-reading not only for the Japanese people but for people all over the world.
There are two key points about COP26.
First, China did not concede anything and achieved a complete victory.
While continuing to build coal-fired power plants through 2030, China set its decarbonization target for 2060, ten years later than the 2050 goal declared by advanced nations, and ultimately did not move an inch from its original position.
The second point is that advanced countries not only declared 2050 decarbonization at COP26, but also voluntarily agreed to have their progress checked every year.
This is like tightening their own nooses.
Advanced nations promised to reduce CO2 emissions and to provide massive financial aid to developing countries, but in many countries—especially the United States—it is highly unlikely that such commitments will be approved by their domestic legislatures.
They said progress would be reviewed at next year’s COP, but given the almost certain inconsistency between commitment and action, they will likely be fiercely condemned.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida managed to visit Glasgow briefly, but he did not demonstrate enough presence to stand out—or even to become a “problem child.”
He announced that Japan would contribute 6.5 trillion yen in public and private funds over the next five years to support climate measures in developing countries, but considering Japan’s economic situation, this should have been debated more thoroughly at home.
At COP26, discussions on coal-fired power were especially noted, but the final wording settled on “efforts toward phasedown.”
The British government and environmental groups went around proclaiming that “coal is ending,” but that is simply not true.
The Japanese government intends to maintain a certain share of coal-fired power, and nothing adopted at COP26 forces a change in that policy.
This is an important point.
The role of nuclear power is also crucial.
Although it was not a major topic at COP26, many countries—led by France and Eastern Europe—accept that nuclear energy is indispensable for genuine decarbonization.
Japan too should move forward with restarting nuclear plants, building new ones, and developing new technologies.
At present, global energy prices are soaring, and the problems of a renewable-energy-first decarbonization policy have already surfaced.
If we aim for realistic decarbonization, we must rethink the renewables-first approach and consider greater reliance on nuclear power.
(Interviewer: Shinichi Nasu)