ASIA
In Asia, we’re fighting the buildout of gas infrastructure and working towards an end to all finance for fossil fuels.
OVERVIEW OF WORK
One of the greatest threats to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement is the buildout of gas infrastructure in Asia. As campaigners move from successful campaigns to stop coal buildout, Oil Change is working with partners across the region and internationally to increase awareness that gas is dirty, expensive and undermines development.
We are working with the Fossil Free Japan coalition to stop Japanese public finance for overseas gas, coal and oil projects and are also working to push the Asian Development Bank to stop financing fossil fuels.
LATEST PROGRAM POSTS
"At a time when we rapidly need to phase out fossil fuels, this year’s G7 host has pushed for the expansion of gas and LNG and technologies that would prolong the use of coal," said Susanne Wong, Asia Program Manager.
"Our communities and climate cannot afford more fossil fuels, nor more dangerous distractions like carbon capture, hydrogen, or ammonia — it’s long past time to end the era of fossil fuels," said Collin Rees.
This week sees two crucial energy meetings in Japan, a country which remains one of the most prominent financiers of fossil fuels.
It’s easy to lose touch with reality at the annual UN climate negotiations, also known as COP. The buzz and energy of tens of thousands of people at the UN’s annual conference focused on one of humanity’s greatest crises is overwhelming. And energizing.
Until you realize that you don’t all share the same intent.
Take Japan, for instance. Its sparkling white pavilion at COP is emblazoned with the slogan “Solutions to the Future.” With their technology prowess, it’s tempting to believe the rhetoric that they have the technologies to solve the climate crisis.
But then you shake off the buzz and
LATEST PROGRAM RESEARCH
Despite the urgent need to phase out fossil fuels, Japan is driving the expansion of liquified gas (LNG) and other fossil-based technologies like ammonia co-firing, worsening the climate crisis and harming communities and ecosystems.
*Updated February 2024* Oil Change International analysis shows that several major countries continue to pump $6.2 billion in public finance into international fossil fuel projects despite committing to end this support by the end of 2022.
This briefing, "Japan's Dirty Secret: World's top fossil fuel financier is fueling climate chaos and undermining energy security," reveals that Japan is the world’s largest public financier of fossil fuel projects, providing 10.6 billion USD per year between 2019 and 2021. Japan has been leading the drive to expand gas consumption in Asia and is the world’s leading financier of gas infrastructure globally, spending USD 6.7 billion on gas projects on average each year between 2019 and 2021.