Nobuo Tanaka

Nobuo Tanaka is Chairman of the steering committee of the Innovation for Cool Earth Forum (ICEF), which was established by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014. He was Chairman and President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation for 2015-2020. As Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) from 2007 to 2011, he initiated a collective release of oil stocks in June 2011. He also played a crucial and personal role in the strengthening of ties with major non-Member energy players, including China and India.

He began his career in 1973 in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and has served in a number of high-ranking positions, including Director-General of the Multilateral Trade System Department. He was deeply engaged in bilateral trade issues with the US as Minister for Industry, Trade and Energy at the Embassy of Japan, Washington DC. He has also served twice as Director for Science, Technology and Industry (DSTI) of the Paris-based international organization, OECD. As CEO of Tanaka Global Inc, he advises several Japanese and International companies.

He graduated from University of Tokyo and have MBA from Case Western Reserve University. He is currently a Distinguished Fellow at Center on Global Energy Policy, Collumbia University and Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ). He chairs Study Group on Next Generation Nuclear Energy Utilization at Canon Institute of Global Studies (CIGS).

Session Overview

Thursday, 6 November

11:00

Decarbonisation Conference Room A 11:00 - 11:40

Maximising nuclear's potential in today's energy industry

Nuclear energy is regaining global relevance as countries seek pragmatic, scalable, low-carbon solutions to deliver the energy the world needs in the most cost- and carbon-efficient way possible. With renewed investment in advanced fission, small modular reactors (SMRs), and early-stage fusion, nuclear is positioning itself as a dependable complement to renewables and a key enabler of energy security. SMRs are gaining momentum for their ability to deliver consistent baseload power and serve industrial energy needs. Fusion is also attracting significant funding from both public and private sources, fuelling long-term optimism despite commercial deployment being at least a decade away. Despite these milestones, advanced nuclear faces persistent challenges - from licensing complexity and financing hurdles to supply chain constraints and the need for reliable offtake agreements. As electricity demand continues to rise - driven by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) across all sectors and the electrification of heavy industry - nuclear technologies offer a resilient pathway to low-emission energy. Realising their full potential will require collaboration across regulators, energy providers, and industry leaders to accelerate market readiness and integration into a transforming energy system.

Attendee Insights:

Hear how operators, technology developers, and policymakers are navigating the resurgence of nuclear, exploring the role of SMRs and fusion in securing low-emission energy while addressing the regulatory, financial, and infrastructure barriers to scale.

Wednesday, 5 November

13:05

Hydrogen Conference Room A 13:05 - 13:45

Driving hydrogen forward: technology, standards and a level playing field

Hydrogen has the potential to become a cornerstone of the future low-carbon energy system, but achieving large-scale deployment requires more than just advanced production methods. Whether through high-efficiency electrolysers, carbon capture or nuclear - and methane-based pathways, breakthrough technologies can lower costs and carbon footprints – provided they operate within flexible, well-defined rules such as carbon pricing mechanisms and certification schemes. Consistent international standards, unbiased policy frameworks, alignment with emission reduction targets and traceability of embedded emissions will prove critical in accelerating market uptake. By combining diverse solutions under a technology-agnostic umbrella, the hydrogen sector can overcome challenges related to water usage, environmental impacts and cost, paving the way for scalability and commercialisation.

Attendee insights:

Explore how a flexible regulatory environment, robust certification processes, and emerging technologies can collectively transform hydrogen into a scalable, cost-effective and sustainable energy option.