One-third of the agreements under AZEC are related to fossil fuel technologies. (Photo: Government of Japan)
The Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC), led by Japan, aims to unite ASEAN countries and Australia in driving the transition to zero emissions.
However, a study reveals that more than a third of the collaborations under AZEC involve fossil fuel technologies. The report suggests that these "false solutions" could make it harder for these countries to decarbonize, potentially increasing their dependence on fossil fuels at a higher cost.
Study tracks Japan’s AZEC clean projects
The report, published in October by the research organization Zero Carbon Analytics, tracks the progress of AZEC since its inception in 2023. A total of 158 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) have been signed, of which 56 involve fossil fuel technologies, accounting for over 35%. In contrast, only 11 agreements, or 7%, focus on wind and solar energy.
