This episode is talking about “Long transition with uncertainties”.　IEEJ recently published its official annual global energy outlook for 2050. This is a forecast based outlook, not a back-cast based outlook such as the NZE scenario by IEA. What is most likely to happen based on a set of reasonable and well-grounded assumptions as portrayed by forecast outlooks may be quite different from what needs to happen to realize a pre-determined objective, such as carbon neutrality by 2050, as portrayed by back-cast outlooks.

This episode is talking about “The rare earths embargo of 2010 and its lessons”. There are strong interests in the need to enhance the resilience of the supply chains of critical minerals these days. This point was clearly emphasized in both the G7 and G20 Leaders’ Declaration. A high-level international conference on critical minerals to which many ministers participated has just been hosted by IEA, on September 28.

This episode is talking about “G20 New Delhi: Accomplishments and remaining issues”. The G20’s New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration was announced on September 10. In the absence of President Putin and President Xi, the international media, as expected, was quick to highlight the tension and divergent views over the Ukraine conflict. Consequently, the messages from the Declaration concerning energy/environment did not receive near the attention they deserved. With the participation of leaders from both the West and the Global South, the G20 can be considered as an international forum representative of the basic global direction.

This episode is talking about “G20: The voice of the Global South in energy policy”. The G20 Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting in Goa, India produced its Outcome Document and Chair’s Summary on July 22. The comparison between those documents and the content of the G7 Hiroshima Summit Communiqué that was released last May, deserves close attention. The discussion among energy think tanks from ASEAN, East Asia and India that took place in New Delhi just before the Ministers’ Meeting, was also of interest and very informative. That workshop was organized by the Energy Research Institute Network (ERIN), and co-organized by ERIA and TERI. In brief, the voice of the Global South was expressed in those two events far more clearly than during the G7 Summit.

This episode is talking about “Why are energy outlooks so different? It is the demand!”. There are as many long-term energy and emissions outlooks for the future as there are organizations that prepare them. The results could differ dramatically. When governments and companies rely on outlooks to support their policy and investment decisions, such wide variations in results raise concerns. Why are they so different? Mr. Terazawa provides an explanation on several points from energy outlooks.

This episode is talking about “8th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria”. The seminar included a special session, four Ministerial Sessions and six High-level Roundtables. Regarding the OPEC seminar, Dr. Koyama summarizes the important points, and briefly touches on the OPEC Award.

This episode is talking about “Japan’s Second Hydrogen Strategy”. Japan’s second hydrogen strategy was decided and announced on June 6th, 2023. The first strategy, formulated in December 2017 by the Japanese Government, was in fact the first strategy released in the world by any national government. Three roadmaps have been prepared to complement the first strategy. Similar strategies were later introduced by other countries. Considering the pioneering role of Japan’s first hydrogen strategy, this second one is also worthy of attention. Mr. Terazawa explores some of the details of Japan’s second hydrogen strategy.

This episode is talking about the following question, “Is Europe's Natural Gas Crisis over?”. Based on the exchange of opinions during his business trip to Europe last week, Dr. Koyama speaks issues related to the European gas crisis that shook the international energy market last year.

This episode is talking about “G7 Ministerial Communiqué”. The G7 Ministers of Climate, Energy and Environment met in Sapporo on April 15 & 16 and issued their communiqué on April 16. This communiqué provides one of the major building blocks for the G7 Leaders’ Meeting which will be held in Hiroshima on May 20 & 21. Mr. Terazawa highlights several points from the communique.

This episode is talking about “Energy Transition and the Importance of Industrial Policy”. Dr. Koyama will panoramically review Japanese, North American and European conditions regarding the topic looming as a key matter of concern to the world.