Results of Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) Decarbonization Forum (2025)

  This Forum aimed at sharing specific initiatives and technologies, and challenges concerning decarbonization of SIDS especially in the Pacific region, with the participation of Japanese remote islands and companies that take the lead in efforts for decarbonization, as part of the continuous efforts by the MOE Japan and IRENA since 2015.

Date:         
  February 20 and 21, 2025  

Organizers:
  Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan
  International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
  Green Climate Fund (GCF)

Collaborators:
  Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 
  Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)

 Venue:
  Tokyo, Japan (face-to-face and online, hybrid format)
 
Participants:
  Approximately 45 face-to-face participants (excluding the secretariat) and 30 online participants from MOE Japan, IRENA, GCF, JICA, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), governments from 10 SIDS countries, mainly from the Pacific region, international organizations, local governments and businesses in Japan, etc.

                                 
 

(1) Opening Session　
IGARASHI Kiyoshi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Environment of Japan, referring to the 10^th Pacific Islands Leaders' Meeting (PALM 10) held in July last year, expressed the need to promote stabilization of electricity supply and decarbonization in maritime transportation and other sectors to realize a resilient and decarbonized world, and the importance of engaging in sharing knowledge of various countries including Japan. Ms. Arieta Gonelevu Rakai, Head of Partnership, IRENA, and Mr. Henry Gonzalez, Chief Investment Officer of GCF, expressed significance of decarbonization for island states and their expectations for the outcome of this forum. In addition, H.E. Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia, Minister for Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment of Tuvalu, expressed the imminent situation of island countries affected by climate change and urged decarbonization at a global level. Japan NUS Co., Ltd. then reported on the ongoing decarbonization cooperation between Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and the Airai State, Republic of Palau, under the MOE Japan's City-to-City Collaboration Program.

(2) Session 1: Progress and Impact of SIDS Decarbonization Efforts
IRENA, SPREP, Tuvalu, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Republic of Palau, and Independent State of Papua New Guinea provided an overview of their decarbonization efforts, followed by presentations by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), GCF, JICA, JBIC, and Republic of Palau on their decarbonization-related programs, support tools, local human resource development for renewable energy introduction, and financial programs for SIDS.

(3) Session 2: Solutions for Decarbonization of SIDS
Republic of Fiji, Republic of Maldives, Solomon Islands, and Independent State of Papua New Guinea provided presentations on the progress of decarbonization in respective countries. Then, Okushiri Town in Hokkaido, Japan, introduced the “Sustainable Island Okushiri” project, a full menu of renewable energy including geothermal power generation. Obayashi Corporation talked about the green hydrogen production/transportation using geothermal power in New Zealand and its utilization for a hydrogen/diesel dual fuel generator in Republic of Fiji. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. introduced the iVSG system that contributes to grid stabilization for the large-scale introduction of renewable energy in island countries, and SeED Okinawa LLC of the Okinawa Electric Power Company, Incorporated Group explained the “Palau-Style Decarbonization Model” tailored to the actual circumstances in Palau.

(4) Session 3: Synergy/Nexus and Sustainability
Independent State of Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Maldives provided presentations on their energy and decarbonization goals and the current status. Toshiba Corporation presented a sharing service of electric appliances chargeable by renewable energy in un-electrified areas, and Chi-Na Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, introduced “The Island Model” by integrated autonomous distributed microgrids via digital grid technology, equipped with renewable energy, storage batteries, and microgrids. Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. introduced a micro-grid system using solar power, and storage batteries/hydrogen in Ishikari City, Hokkaido, Japan. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) introduced the importance of co-benefiting climate and clean air through activities by the “The Climate and Clean Air Coalition to reduce powerful but short-lived climate pollutants”.

(5) Session 4: Circular Economy and Decarbonization
Japan RPF Industry Association introduced the Utilization of Refuse Derived Paper and Plastics Densified Fuel (RPF). JICA introduced the Japanese Technical Cooperation Project for Promotion of Regional Initiative on Solid Waste Management (J-PRISM). SPREP introduced the Waste-to-Energy and circular economy initiative.

(6) Session 5: Others
In addition, participants, through group work, discussed challenges and necessary support for the introduction of technologies under the three themes of maximizing renewable energy deployment, carbon credit markets, and renewable energy and grid stabilization. At the end of the forum, NAMEKI Mimi, Director for International Cooperation for Transition to Decarbonization and Sustainable Infrastructure, MOE Japan, thanked the speakers and participants for their contributions to the forum and expressed her hope for Japan's continued cooperation in this area and for further climate action cooperation from all parties involved. The participants also toured a solar sharing facility, a chemical recycling plant for plastics, and a hydrogen-powered accommodation facility in Tokyo suburb.
 

・International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
An international agency aiming at prevalence and promotion of renewable energy, which was established in 2010. Japan has been elected as a council member since its establishment and has been supporting renewable energy deployment in developing countries. At present, it has 170 member states and regions and is headquartered in Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates.

・Green Climate Fund (GCF)
The international fund that supports the efforts for developing countries to implement GHG emission control, reduction and absorption (mitigation) and response (adaptation) to adverse effects by climate changes.



 

Results of Small Island Developing Sates (SIDS) Decarbonization Forum
(Press Release on April 1, 2024)
https://www.env.go.jp/en/press/press_02602.html