With the results of the 2024 US presidential election on November 5th, Donald Trump will again take the presidency. As we witnessed during his previous term, the US federal government may take a step back from global climate leadership.
However, history has shown that even in the face of federal setbacks and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, significant progress on climate action has continued globally and within the US. During the first Trump administration, the US saw a 1.7 times greater decline in coal-fired power generation between 2017 and 2020 compared to the second Obama term, alongside significant growth in renewable energy capacity. This shift toward renewable energy is now primarily driven by economic factors and corporate decisions, and it is irreversible, regardless of who holds political power.
For Japan, this moment is a call to action. With costs for renewable energy falling rapidly, Japan must double down on collaboration with global pioneers in renewable energy—particularly businesses, cities, and states in the US that are driving the energy transformation. This is especially important as Japan seeks to meet its own decarbonization goals, stay competitive, and enhance energy security.
| “As the world faces an urgent climate crisis, Japan must recognize that slowing down its decarbonization efforts in response to political shifts would be a grave mistake. Not only does Japan have a responsibility to lead in addressing global climate change, but delaying progress could also undermine its long-term international competitiveness.”
— Teruyuki Ohno, Executive Director, Renewable Energy Institute
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As an independent think tank, Renewable Energy Institute is committed to supporting Japan’s transition to a decarbonized economy by developing clear strategies for 2035 and 2040, advocating for regulatory reforms to accelerate renewable energy deployment, and thereby contributing to decarbonization efforts in Japan and Asia.
