Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) has been holding a series of webinars to introduce and discuss on domestic and international trend about climate change prior to the Japan Climate Action Summit 2023 planned to be held on Friday, October 6. The 3rd webinar will focus on actions required of Non-State Actors to align advocacy and policy with Net Zero in collaboration with the international campaign “Race To Zero” promoted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
To limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C and avoid a crisis caused by climate change, greenhouse gas emissions must be sharply reduced, reaching a 60% reduction by 2035 and net zero by 2050. In order to realize this major shift, not only voluntary efforts by individual companies and local governments, but also policies that support the positive transition are essential. In recent years, non-state actors, such as companies and local governments, have been called upon internationally to raise their voices for such policies.
In November 2022, the UN High‑Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities released a report with 10 recommendations on how non-state actors should declare net zero, including Recommendation 6 to “Aligning Lobbying and Advocacy” and Recommendation 10 to “Accelerating the Road to Regulation.”
In June of the same year, “Persuade” was added to the Race To Zero criteria as the 5th P, which requires Race To Zero members to actively call on their associations, governments, and others to take actions and introduce policies consistent with the realization of the 1.5°C target. A handbook of the “Persuade” was released this June.
In this JCI webinar, we will discuss international trends in advocacy for net-zero emissions, the current status of climate advocacy and lobbying by Japanese companies and introduce some examples of proactive efforts by non-state actors. We look forward to your participation.
Keynote: Aligning Advocacy & Policy with Net Zero recommended by UN High-Level Expert Group, Kahori Miyake, Co-Chair of Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership (JCLP) / Executive Manager of ESG Strategy and Solution Department, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank
Presentation: Race To Zero’s New Criteria: What is Persuade?, Tessa Vincent, Policy and Engagement Lead, Race To Zero
Current situation and case studies:
i) Current status of climate advocacy and lobbying in Japan, Monica Nagashima, Japan Country Manager, InfluenceMap
ii) Climate advocacy by company, Egle Gintautaite, Global Public Affairs Leader, Ingka Group
iii) JCI’s advocacy activities, Tomomi Hirakami, Liaison Coordinator, Renewable Energy Institute
Discussion / Q&A
Moderator: Ken Tanaka, Climate & Energy Group Officer, WWF Japan
