石炭火力輸出の支援停止へ　国際世論に配慮、方針転換―政府

　政府が、民間による石炭火力発電所の輸出に対する支援を全面停止する方向で検討を始めたことが２９日、分かった。途上国に日本の高効率な石炭火力を輸出すれば、二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）削減につながるとの考えから、政府はインフラ輸出の柱に位置付けてきた。しかし、地球温暖化対策を強く求める国際世論に配慮し、方針を転換する。
　政府はこれまで、石炭火力の輸出について政府系金融機関を通じて低利融資などを実施。国際的な批判により昨年７月、相手国が脱炭素化に取り組んでいる場合に限定するなど要件を厳格化した。今後は、新規案件はすべて支援を見送る方向で検討する。４月下旬に開かれる気候変動の首脳会議（サミット）での表明を目指す。（2021/03/29-17:30）

The Japanese government is now considering fully ending its support for private-sector exports of coal-fired thermal power plants, in response to strong international calls for measures to fight climate change, it was learned Monday.
   The government has supported such exports, including through low-interest lending via state-backed financial institutions, based on the position that exports to developing countries of highly efficient Japanese coal-fired plants are expected to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
   Amid international criticism, however, the government adopted stricter rules on its export support in July last year, including limiting support for cases in which recipient countries are making decarbonizing efforts.
   The government now aims to announce at a climate change summit in late April that Japan will not support new exports of coal-fired plants, informed sources said.
   Demand remains strong from developing countries for coal-fired plants, which allow stable power supplies at low cost while emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide.