Kiko Network published the position paper "Synthetic methane is greenwashing: Increases public costs, is not consistent with 1.5°C target" in October 2024.
Japan is currently considering injecting synthetic methane into city gas (a type of natural gas that is supplied to homes in urban areas in Japan, its main component natural gas or methane) as a means of moving toward carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the reality is that synthetic methane should not be considered an effective technology to achieve carbon neutrality, and it does not merit the allocation of significant resources. Synthetic methane comes with the following issues.
- Problems with feedstock: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Problems with feedstock: Hydrogen (H2)
- Difficulties with CO2 re-capture during synthetic methane use
- High costs
- Long lead time to develop the technology
- Problems with energy security
If support is given to synthetic methane, major CO2 emitters may use “carbon recycling” as a pretext to neglect serious efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, with the result being the worsening of climate change. Promoting synthetic methane as being “decarbonized” or “carbon neutral” is equivalent to greenwashing.
What we really need are powerful actions to reduce emissions and a strong shift toward renewable energy. We call on all stakeholders to devote their resources, human resources, and efforts toward institutional improvements to this end.
Download PDF
【Position Paper】Synthetic methane is greenwashing: Increases public costs, is not consistent with 1.5°C target (October 2024)
