[G7広島サミット閉幕ーG7は気候危機と核の脅威から目をそらすな ] 22 May 2023

[ Japanese-to-English translation: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre ]

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As stated in the Communiqué adopted at the Ministerial Conference on Climate Change, Energy and Environment in April, the leaders' Communiqué also referred to the introduction of renewable energy and the accelerated phase-out of all fossil fuels for which no emission reduction measures have been taken. Meanwhile, in the name of getting rid of Russian fossil fuels, it approved public support for fossil gas, albeit on a temporary basis. No agreement was reached on the timing of the phase-out of coal-fired power generation.

Furthermore, the Environment Minister's Communiqué continued to include language on the discharge of contaminated water from the ALPS process into the sea, which many people, including local fishermen, oppose because it would lead to the diffusion of radioactive substances into the environment, and because the total amount of radioactive substances to be discharged is not yet known. We protest that it has been included again, despite the criticism of the results of the Environment Ministers' meeting.

[...] The role of nuclear energy is mentioned in the Communiqué text and in the Hiroshima Vision. The latter states that "G7 countries which opt for nuclear power, or related peaceful nuclear applications, recognize that the use of nuclear energy, science, and technology contributes to providing affordable low-carbon energy. " However, this is a major misstatement.

[...] The use of nuclear energy, from uranium mining, fuel production, operation, decommissioning and disposal of nuclear fuel, pollutes the environment with radioactive materials and causes human rights violations. Considering the risks and costs of nuclear power plants, such as problems, accidents, radioactive contamination and nuclear waste that needs to be stored for tens of thousands of years, it should not be a solution to climate change. In addition, the cost of renewable energy has fallen dramatically over the last decade, while the cost of nuclear power has continued to rise, making it now the most expensive power source.

The G7 meeting, including its chair, Japan, failed to face the climate crisis and nuclear threat head-on, but rather postponed a solution.

During the G7 Hiroshima Summit, some 50 protests were held in 22 countries around the world, including not only Japan but also the US, UK, Ukraine and the Global South, voicing opposition to Japan's fossil fuel support. Citizens in each country have shown a clear rejection of Japan's fossil fuel projects, which exacerbate climate change and destroy the local environment and people's livelihoods.

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