Japan’s Actions towards theCreation of Low-Carbon Cities

July 27th, 2011Hikaru Kobayashi

Senior Counselor (Former Administrative Vice Minister), Ministry of the Environment;

Professor, Environmental Studies, Keio University at SFC

The third International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Pacific

GHG Emissions in Japan & Mid- & Long-Term Targets

22008 2020 20502010

2008+ 1.6% compared to base year

Kyoto Protocol commitment period (2008‐2012)

Kyoto Protocol targets‐6% compared with 1990

Development of impartial and effective international framework by all major countries and agreement on 

ambitious goals

Long‐term Target (2050)

1,261 million t

1,282 million t

2007

1,371 million t

20062005

1,186 million t

80％ reduction

Mid‐term Targets(Announced by Prime Minister on 9/2009) 

（‐25% compared with 1990)

Mid‐term Targets(Announced by Prime Minister on 9/2009) 

（‐25% compared with 1990)

Shape of GHG Emissions by Sector in 2020 and 2050

3

1990

2005

2007

2008（Preliminary estimates）

2020（Variable case※1）

2020（Static case※2 ）

2050

Manufacturing Household Business Transport Non‐energy

Energy conversion 1990±0%

▲25％

▲80％

482

456

127

174

164

237

217

257

68

79

202

155

252

374～（▲11％）※3

154～（+4%）

90～（▲48％）

133～（▲43%）

153～（▲35%）

42～（▲46%）

385～（▲8%）※3

158～（+7%）

81～（▲53%）

120～（▲48%）

158～（▲33%）

41～（▲47%）

172420 232 236 78 148

180468 242 246 83 152

(May include international contributions and carbon sinks)

※1: “All‐Sector Variable Macro‐Frame Case,” premised on a set price for carbon.※2: “Static Industrial Macro‐Frame Case,” where operation levels in the industrial sector are static.※3: Ratio of emission reduction levels compared with 2008※4: “Non‐Energy” are six types of greenhouse gases that are targeted in the Kyoto Protocol as non‐energy origin CO2 emissions. In 2020, an increase is expected along with the substitution of HFC which is targeted in the Kyoto Protocol for HCFC which is an ozone‐depleting substance.

(Unit: 1 million t‐CO2)

Reduction of CO2 Emissions through Synergistic Effects

4

2050 Emissions~ 80% reduction

Changes in energydemand

~55% improvement

Low‐carbon Energy~55% improvement

0.20.45   0.45   ≒×

Due to gradual increases in marginal abatement costs, in case that there is cooperation, the same amount of reductions, large reductions can be achieved in discounted cost and same cost where larger reduction.

A synergistic effect is expected due to CO2 reductions from cooperation

4

To achieve an 80% reduction in 2050 compared to 1990 levels,

by   Hikaru KOBAYASHI

Reduction pattern through supply‐demand cooperation

5

It is fundamental to account CO2 emissions in our own boundary, and to reduce the emission amount

Cooperation in the supply chain:Low‐sulfur light diesel oil and low‐consumption diesel vehicle, high tensile steel plate and low‐consumption vehicle, etc.

Cooperation in time management:Control supply‐demand through smart grid, staggered commuting, etc.

Spatial cooperation:    ⇒ Low Carbon CityUtilisation of waste heat from plants at offices, TOD, greening urban areas, etc.

by  Hikaru KOBAYASHI

Next Stage

- Guideline for the control of Greenhouse Gas for business operators

History of Japan’s Global Warming Countermeasures

6

International trends Japanese government’s policies 

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adoptedKyoto Protocol adopted

Kyoto Protocol entered into force

Bali Road Map

Copenhagen Accord

1992

1997 Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures enacted

- Fundamental policy of global warming countermeasures, commitment

- National/local governments’ Initiative Action Plans

‐ The stipulation is based on the premise that local governments employ policies that involve energy‐related measures‐ Linkage with city planning etc.

1998

2002

2005

2006

2008

2010

Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures revised- Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan stipulated

Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures revised- Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Reporting System introduced

Japanese Voluntary Emissions Trading Scheme started

Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures revised- Utilization of Kyoto Mechanisms

Act on Promotion of GlobalWarming Countermeasures revised- Local governments’ programs forthe control of Greenhouse Gas within their local areas

Offset Credit Scheme (J-VER) startedThe Bill of the Basic Act on Global WarmingCountermeasures submitted

2005

2007

2009

7

Ministries’ approaches towards low carbon city

■ Cabinet Secretariat~Dissemination of innovative approaches, comprehensive support

• Eco Model City• Future City, designated special zone

EXAMPLES of the Creation of Low Carbon Cities under Private and Public Cooperation

Kashiwanoha Campus City Project （City of Kashiwa, Mitsui Fudosan, the University of Tokyo etc.）

Yokohama Smart City Project （City of Yokohama, Toshiba, Tokyo Gas, TEPCO etc.）

Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town Project （Panasonic, City of Fujisawa etc.）

■Ministry of Environment~Formulation of basic policy for the promotion of low carbon city, support for model projects

• Submission of the Bill of the Basic Act on Global Warming Countermeasures to the Diet• Examination of mid & long Road map• Challenge 25 Local GHG Reduction Model Project

■ Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

~Promotion of decentralized independent, locally produced/ consumed, low‐carbon local development utilizing clean energy 

• “Decentralized Green Innovation” promotion project

■Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism~Coordination with urban planning, transportation, logistics policy

• Low Carbon City Development Guidance • Town Development Fund• Eco City Network project• Revitalization of local public transportation, regeneration project• Green logistics partnership promotion project

■Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry~Introduction of new energy in cities, energy efficiency promotion

• Future generation/ social system demonstration• Promotion of residential buildings and buildings’ high energy efficient system • Introduction and promotion of local new energy

Recent Improvement of Legal Frameworks for Local Communities

8

A)Defined that local governments can govern energy policiesB) Defined that CO2 reduction plan can be incorporated in the city planning and regional agricultural promotion planning and their implementation 

Revision of Law for the Promotion of Measures Global Warming (2008)Declare the use of urban policies to reduce CO2 emissions

Action Plan of Local Government

Required large and specially‐designated cities to set up CO2 reduction plan andimplement it

Promotion of usage of renewable energy, energy efficient measures, public transport, greenery management and resource efficiency

Local governments to implement energy management policies 

CO2 reduction policies to be incorporated in city planning and agricultural promotion planning 

Future City

【Overview】Future City Initiative  was  proposed in the Japanese government’s New Growth Strategy, with the aim of creating 

world‐leading best practices with future‐oriented technologies, mechanisms,  services and city planning , and disseminating them both at home and abroad. 

Relevant government ministries will extend full‐scale support through intensive budgetary boost and institutional reforms including regulatory reform and the introduction of Green Tax System.

Initiatives in the entire city will be promoted comprehensively as a package for export, which will enhance inter‐governmental partnership with Asian countries.

9

To embody the initiative,  suggestions from local governments as to supporting measures for Future Cities were invited from March to May, 2011.  Applications of proposals from candidate cities will be invited in the future.

Future City

etc.

Technology

Socio-economic system

Service

Business model

City planning

People

Material

Money

Regulatory/Institutional

reform

etc.

Improvement of  

quality of life

Intensive input

Dissemination 

and promotion 

of best practices

Best practices from home and abroad

MOEJ’s Approach (1) Examination of mid & long‐term road maps

10

適正な資源の管理

電気自動車へ

の変換

新駅設置、 運行本数増加、

サイクル/パーク＆ライド等

公共交通の利便性向上

太陽光発電の設置

バイオ燃料

ステーショ ン

バイオ燃料畑

自転車道の設置

自転車レーンの設置

LRTの設置

緑の街道

冷却塔の撤廃

廃熱利用

歩いて暮らせる街

公共施設の中心

市街地への移転

廃熱利用 屋上緑化

BRTの設置

屋根・ 屋上への

太陽光発電の設置

太陽光発電の設置

にぎわいのある

中心市街地

昔ながらの

コミ ュニティ の維持

廃線を利用した

BRTの設置

水と緑のネッ ト ワーク

Rooftop gardening

Waste heat utilization

BRT & LRT

PV

Network of greenery and waterBicycle lane

Biomass power generation 

EV

Park & ride

Walkablecommunity

Conservation of traditional

communities

Proper resource management

Establishing new train stations, increasing number of services,

introduction of cycle/park-and-ride facilities to enhance the convenience

of public transport systems

Solar power utilities

Biomass power stations

Establishment of bicycle lanes

Bio-fuel farms

Establishment of bicycle lanes

Switch to electric-powered cars

Solar power utilities

Utilisation of waste heat

Removal of cooling towers

Networks of water and greenery

Green streets

Installation of Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems

Vibrant central city and commercial

centers

Walkable urban districts

Rooftop solar power systems

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems

Transition to transit-oriented

city development

Utilisation of waste

heatGreening of

rooftop spaces

BRT systems utilising waste

heat

Active examination of GHG reduction approaches through city renovationActive examination of GHG reduction approaches through city renovation

MOEJ’s Approach (1) Challenge 25 Local GHG Reduction Model Project

11

(3) Utilization of biomass energy

‐ Cogeneration system using timber from forest‐thinning as fuel‐ Cogeneration system using methane gas generated from sewage sludge

Unused waste heat in urban areas is transported and utilized for air conditioning ‐Waste heat and hot water from waste incineration facilities, etc.→ Creating a leading‐edge 

cogeneration system

(2) Establishment of a low-carbon transportation system

‐ Fuel‐cell vehicle/Electric vehicle (buses)‐ No‐idle practice by domestic vessels

(3) Low-carbonization around major train stations

‐ Large‐scale solar power panels‐ Fuel cells, etc→Installing intensively in areas 

surrounding major train stations

(1) Utilization of unused heat in urban area

Regional development through the promotion of transportation systems with less CO2 emissions

Cutting CO2 by 25% in urban centers and spreading the approach to surrounding areas

Promoting low-carbon efforts through maximum utilization of unused resources in local areas

11

Local Green New Deal Funds: Local governments set up funds with subsidies from the national governments and utilize them for community-based environmentally-conscious city planning projects

Challenge 25 Local GHG Reduction Model Project： For the purpose of establishing mechanisms that allow people to utilize a variety of technologies by regional basis to achieve 25% reduction of GHGs, this project aims to intensively implement demonstration projects with leading approaches that serve as models with a view to disseminating them nationwide

MOEJ’s Approach (1) Eco‐Point System for housing and Eco‐Model House project

12

Project of Eco-Point System for housing:To those who have built eco-friendly houses or reformed existing houses into eco-friendly ones, points exchangeable with a variety of products are awarded. Since this project has been extremely popular and received more applications than expected, the purpose of the project, i.e. the spread of eco-friendly houses, has been achieved ahead of the schedule. Therefore, the point-awarding period is shortened and ends in July 2011.

Points are exchangeable with:‐ Energy‐saving/eco‐friendly products‐ Local products‐ Gift certificates /prepaid card ‐ Donation to environmental activities, etc.

Special tax treatment measures for Eco-friendly houses

Eco-Model House project

Double‐glazedglass

Floor: Glass wool 100mm

Outside wall: Glass wool 100mm

Ceiling: Glass wool 180mm

Opening (window): Double aluminum sash or aluminum sash + double glazed glass

Image of house fulfilling energy‐savingstandards (Detached wood house in Tokyo)

Eco-friendly School Renovation and environmental education projectsSubsidies are provided for the renovation of facilities  incorporating such measures as improved insulation, introduction of natural energy including solar power generation,  roof‐top greening, etc.Comfortable learning environment for students can be achieved while reducing CO2 emissions.

Establishment of 20 Regional Council for the Promotion of Eco House nationwide, construction of Eco‐Model Houses by local governments, support for promotional and awareness‐raising activities

Residence‐Air conditioning‐Lighting ‐Hot –water supply‐ Home electric appliances

Construction‐Transporting of materials‐Production of materials‐ Treatment of construction waste

Renovation‐Repair of a damaged part‐Change of a floor plans

Rebuilding‐Disposal of demolished house

Personal Idea: Future Policies for the Creation of a Low-Carbon City

13Figure: Hikaru Kobayashi

Overseas developmentCompilation of technology = 

expansion of successful practices

Capital return

Development of Area Wide Reforming  systems

Strengthening reduction obligations

Plat form for Consensus building 

and execution

Increasing participants 

(credit use, etc.)

Reduction obligation agencies= Reduction ESCO= Area management 

Certainty of economic returns through subsidy systems

Visualization of possibleamount of reduction by urban reform