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Japan passed a law on May 17 to establish a permit system for business operators, facilitating the implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology, which captures carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and stores it deep underground.
The newly enacted legislation in Japan aims to cultivate a conducive business environment for carbon capture and contribute to the country's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Approved and enacted after a majority vote in the House of Councilors plenary session, the law mandates the government to designate specific areas suitable for carbon dioxide storage and issue permits to selected businesses through a transparent selection process.
These permits grant businesses "prospective drilling rights" to assess geological suitability for CO2 storage and "storage rights" to store captured carbon dioxide.
Furthermore, the law holds business operators responsible for monitoring potential carbon leaks and requires them to provide compensation in case of accidents, regardless of intent or negligence.
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Exporting CO2 doesn't magically make it disappear
Tokyo's CCS plans involve establishing underground sites both domestically and abroad, raising ethical concerns about emissions responsibility shifting. Initial plans include five permanent domestic sites, one in Malaysia, and another in the Pacific at an undisclosed location.
Exporting carbon dioxide for storage abroad is viewed by some as ethically questionable, suggesting that the exporting nation is evading responsibility for its emissions rather than addressing them directly, according to Nikkei Asia.
This concern is particularly pertinent for Japan, as it involves transferring CO2 from a highly regulated advanced economy to emerging economies with less stringent controls.
Transferring liability from exporter to importer is inevitable in carbon storage projects, as they often require long-term governmental guarantees. Consequently, the importing country's government will bear the responsibility for managing the stored CO2.
Japan's assertion that CCS can effectively reduce emissions hinges on how well carbon storage risks are managed. While risks may be manageable within Japan, credibility internationally rests on the importing parties' assurance. Thus, it's in Japan's interest to retain responsibility for managing storage risks overseas, ensuring a high standard of liability for importing nations. Robust safeguards and adequate funding support are imperative for this endeavor.
During the plenary session on the same day, apart from the CCS bill, a proposal was made to create a subsidy system to offset the cost differences between hydrogen and natural gas, aiming to promote hydrogen as a next-generation energy source. The proposal also passed with a majority vote and was enacted into law.
