India, Japan Partner for Electric Vehicles, battery storage, Biofuels, Green Hydrogen

Taking cooperation for  net zero carbon emissions to the next level, India and Japan have instituted a ‘Clean Energy Partnership’ (CEP) by incorporating electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, solar sector development, biofuels, green hydrogen and battery storages.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, was in India for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit earlier this week. After his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a statement on ‘India-Japan Clean Energy Partnership’ was issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The statement gives out the details of the areas of the cooperation as India and Japan target net zero carbon emission by 2070 and 2050 respectively.

The statement says, “India and Japan acknowledge the need to explore a variety of options to ensure a secure and stable supply of energy for achieving both goals of sustainable economic growth and addressing climate change. They share the view that there is no single pathway to achieve a low-carbon economy, but rather there are different paths for each country.”

The statement makes it clear that both India and Japan want to tap into low-carbon sunrise sectors. They will exploit new technologies and business models to reduce carbon emissions as they further bilateral cooperation in the area of clean and sustainable development. Japan has also announced plans to invest close to Yes 5 Trillion or $42 billion in India in the next 5 years as part of it’s broader trade relationship with the country.

The Japan – India Energy Dialogue that was established in 2007 will be expanded to include new segments like electric vehicles, storage systems, batteries, EV charging infrastructure, development of solar energy including solar PV cells, wind energy and clean coal technologies. As per the statement, the two countries will also work together on LNG, biofuels, strategic oil reserves, green hydrogen and ammonia.

The MEA adds, “Under this Partnership, both sides agree that cooperation may also be pursued in other areas including through collaboration between leading research institutions and private sector of both countries for practical steps in accordance with their respective energy transition plans.” Also, disposal, recycling and reclamation of useful material from batteries, solar panels, turbine blades and electronics; clean steel, and clean construction also forms a part of the expanded engagement as they are novel areas of growth and biggest business opportunities.

India and Japan will also further efforts to build global and resilient supply chains, cooperation should be established on a long-term basis not only in the manufacturing sector but also in Research & Development (R&D), transfer of technology, training and capacity building and low-cost long-term financing.