Organiser

• Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE)

Event Overview

Speaker

• Keigo Akimoto, Group Leader, Chief Researcher, Systems Analysis Group, Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) Presentation (PDF, 527KB)
• Raymond Kopp, Vice President, Senior Fellow, Resources for the Future (RFF)
• Brian Flannery, Senior Fellow, Resources for the Future (RFF)
• Adam Sieminski, President, The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC)
• Hiroyuki Tezuka, Chair, Global Environment Strategy Working Group, KEIDANREN
• Jun Arima, Professor, The University of Tokyo

Event Summary

• Prof. Kopp introduced this session.
• Keigo Akimoto presented RITE's analysis on comparison of each countries' emission reduction efforts in NDCs. He indicated that marginal abatement costs estimated by RITE are significantly different among countries and their total costs are much larger than that of the globally least cost measures which are difficult to achieve under social and political constraints. He also pointed the importance of coordination of NDCs through the review process, because negative impacts of the NDCs on GDP seen in several developed countries might cause carbon leakage.
• Adam Sieminski stressed the importance of low-carbon technology as a pragmatic approach for bridging the emissions gap in current NDCs, as well as an assessment of Saudi Arabia's NDC and its economic impact.
• Brian Flannery presented the importance and necessity of sustained investments on innovative technology for transformational changes. He also argued that transparency framework with involving various actors is crucial for enhancing comparability of effort.
• Hiroyuki Tezuka presented the importance of considering avoided emissions through Global Value Chain, as global warming and emissions from business activities are of globalized issues.
• Jun Arima presented that it is crucial not to undermine international competitiveness for technology innovation by globally uniform mitigation measures under different national policies.
• Questions and Answers
  One question was made to Mr. Akimoto on the use of multiple metrics for NDCs. His answer was countries should pay attention to several metrics for measuring their effort under a pledge and review system under the Paris Agreement. One question was made to Mr. Tezuka on the efficacy of using high strength steel in terms of emissions reduction. He answered that such steel can reduce emissions in nations with high-carbon electricity.
  One question was directed to Mr. Akimoto on assessment possibility of impacts of additional carbon prices or taxes. He answered that analysis on implicit carbon prices or carbon taxes, with considering return to the consumers or several policy measures are possible.
  Speakers and panelists discussed about a comparability of effort through transparency process, as well as about carbon prices or taxes from their experience. Mr. Flannery, Mr. Sieminski and Mr. Arima commented that various condition such as energy consumption pattern or policies differ among countries as well as metrics for measuring efforts, by which emission gaps and perception gaps are delivered. Mr. Arima added that balances should be taken between cost and benefit. Mr. Tezuka commented that policy should be focused on innovative clean technologies with affordable costs, and global scheme is necessary to avoid carbon leakage despite great challenge.

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