To prevent Mitsubishi Corporation from being left behind in the race to zero emissions
Did you know?
Mitsubishi Corporation’s commitments include a 30% renewable energy ratio in power generation, decarbonization of coal by 2050, and the promotion of ammonia, carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), and hydrogen-related businesses. The company says they are committed to protecting the environment and addressing climate change issues, but these are far from those contained in the Paris Agreement, which seeks decarbonization of society by 2050.
A recent report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) (Net Zero by 2050) called for zero investment in new fossil fuel development after 2021 in order to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050. Not only coal but also gas may become “stranded assets” in the future.
Mitsubishi Corporation should not only accelerate its efforts to eliminate coal, but also withdraw from other new fossil fuel businesses.
Indigenous peoples are protesting in Canada
Mitsubishi Corporation is involved in the development of shale gas and the construction of a liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in British Columbia – LNG Canada project.
Indigenous peoples and local NGOs have voiced opposition to these developments and the development of gas pipelines, which threaten indigenous peoples’ lands and accelerate climate change. However, armed police are violently suppressing these protests.
Canadian citizens expressed outrage at the police crackdown.
Strikes in solidarity with indigenous peoples have spread across Canada
Photo: Michael Toledano
The United Nations is keeping a close eye on this project
The Coastal GasLink pipeline, which is being constructed to transport fracked gas to Mitsubishi Corporation’s LNGCanada project, is being constructed without the consent of indigenous peoples. Therefore, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is calling on the Canadian government to immediately halt the construction of the Coastal Gas Link pipeline project, the Trans-Mountain pipeline project as well as the Site C dam until they obtain their Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).
Mitsubishi Corporation also has its policy on indigenous peoples’ rights stating, “in the context of its overall commitment to respecting human rights, [Mitsubishi Corporation] pays special attention to upholding the rights of indigenous peoples, acknowledging their unique social and legal status under national and international laws, as well as their unique histories and cultural contributions throughout the world.”
Continuing this project would pose a reputation risk to the company.
Please speak with Mitsubishi Corporation
Please urge Mitsubishi Corporation to withdraw from the LNG Canada project and establish a stronger environmental policy.
Contact: Friends of the Earth Japan info@foejapan.org
三菱商事は環境保全や気候変動対策に取り組んでいますが、その内容は、発電事業における再生可能エネルギー比率30%、2050年までの脱石炭、アンモニアやCCUS・水素関連事業の推進など「2050年までの社会の脱炭素化」を求めるパリ協定からは程遠い内容です。国際エネルギー機関(IEA)が最近発表したレポート(「Net Zero by 2050」)では、2050年温室効果ガス排出ネットゼロのためには2021年以降新規の化石燃料開発への投資をゼロにすべきと示しました。今後石炭だけでなく、ガスも「座礁資産」化する恐れがあります。三菱商事は脱石炭の加速だけでなく、その他の新規化石燃料事業からも撤退すべき時に来ています。
先住民族の権利が侵されている事態に対し、国連人種差別撤廃委員会(Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination)は2019年12月13日付けで、「自由意思による、事前の、十分な情報に基づく同意(free, prior and informed consent)」が得られるまで、コースタル・ガスリンク・パイプライン事業、トランス・マウンテン・パイプライン事業、サイトCダムの建設を即時中止するようカナダ連邦政府に求める決議を発表しました。
カナダ連邦政府は「先住民族の権利に関する国際連合宣言(United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, UNDRIP)」を2016年に採択しており、BC州も同宣言を実施する決議を行っています。先住民族の土地への権利はカナダの最高裁で認められているにもかかわらず、その反対の声や平和的な抗議活動が武装した警官によって抑圧されているのが現状なのです。