On July 6, 2026, the Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) celebrated its 8th anniversary. This article highlights JCI’s progress and achievements over the past year, as well as its plans for the future.

Key Achievements from the Past Year

1. 43 New Members Joined, Bringing Total Membership to 860

JCI, which began with 105 organizations on July 6, 2018, welcomed 43 new members over the past year, bringing its total membership to 860 organizations, including 595 companies, 39 local governments, and 226 other organizations. The new members include 36 companies, 20 of which are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, as well as one local government, one university, and five other organizations.

Among JCI’s corporate members, participation in initiatives such as RE100 and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) continues to grow. Of the 96 Japanese companies participating in RE100, 69 are JCI members. Among the 2,533 Japanese companies that have received SBT validation or committed to setting science-based targets within two years, 209 are JCI members.

JCI also welcomed international environmental NGOs working on a wide range of environmental issues, citizens’ groups promoting renewable energy, organizations supporting local community initiatives, as well as new local governments and universities, further strengthening its network of diverse actors driving climate action.

▶ List of 43 New Members (Joined between July 6, 2025, and June 30, 2026)
▶ Full Member List

JCI Messages and Proposals

2-1) Joint Statement with GCNJ (August 22, 2025)

JCI and the Global Compact Network Japan (GCNJ) issued a joint declaration expressing their shared commitment to working together to advance climate action and respect for human rights in an integrated manner. Together with GCNJ, JCI will continue to promote integrated corporate action that advances both climate action and respect for human rights.

https://japanclimate.org/news-topics/gcnj-jci-joint-declaration/ (Japanese only)

2-2) Japan Climate Action Summit 2025 Declaration (November 7, 2025)

JCI released the Japan Climate Action Summit 2025 Declaration, “Leading the Transition to a Decarbonized Society — We Will Never Stop —,” marking the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement and looking ahead to COP30. The declaration expresses the unwavering commitment of Japan’s non-state actors participating in JCI to decarbonization. A total of 340 organizations, including companies, local governments, universities, and NGOs, endorsed the declaration, and messages of support were received from leaders in Japan and abroad.

https://japanclimate.org/english/news-topics/jcas2025-declaration-release/

2-3) Report on Japan’s Second NDC (December 11, 2025)

JCI, in collaboration with the We Mean Business Coalition, published a report on Japan’s second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Although the Japanese government submitted its second NDC to the United Nations in February 2025, the report concludes that the emissions reduction target falls short of the global average emissions reduction required to achieve the 1.5°C goal. It also notes the absence of clear domestic targets for renewable energy deployment and the phase-out of coal-fired power consistent with international commitments. The report calls for stronger policies and a clearer roadmap while outlining concrete priorities to help Japan’s NDC not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also promote economic growth, strengthen industrial competitiveness, enhance energy security, and accelerate innovation.

https://japanclimate.org/english/news-topics/japan_second_ndc_wmbc-v01/

Events and Communications

To support and strengthen the efforts of JCI members and other Japanese non-state actors, JCI organized the following events and enhanced information sharing through a range of activities.

3-1) Public Events

◇ JCI × GCNJ Online Seminar: Climate Change and Human Rights (August 22, 2025)

https://japanclimate.org/news-topics/jci-gcnj-seminar01/ (Japanese only)

◇ Japan Launch Event – Seizing the Moment of Opportunity: Japanese Translation of the UN Technical Report (October 3, 2025)

https://japanclimate.org/english/news-topics/events/symposium_un_report/

◇ Japan Climate Action Summit 2025 (JCAS2025) (November 7, 2025)

https://japanclimate.org/english/news-topics/jcas2025/

◇ Sport × Sustainability: Sport Positive CEO Japan Visit Commemorative Event (January 27, 2026)

https://japanclimate.org/english/news-topics/sport-positive/

3-2) Members-Only Events

◇ Dialogue with Nathan Hultman (March 12, 2026)

https://japanclimate.org/english/news-topics/nathan-hultman/

◇ First Meeting of the Climate Change and Human Rights Working Group (May 28, 2026)

https://japanclimate.org/news-topics/climate_change_and_human_right/ (Japanese only)

3-3) Information Sharing and Outreach

◇ Updated Reference Information Page on Climate Change Measures (December 15, 2025 / February 17, 2026)

https://japanclimate.org/news-topics/climate-change-info/ (Japanese only)

◇ Launch of JCI’s Official LinkedIn Page (March 30, 2026)

https://japanclimate.org/english/news-topics/linkedin/

◇ Launch of the Members-Only Monthly Newsletter, Climate Change & Decarbonization News (Started June 2025; Japanese only)

Since June 2025, JCI has published a monthly newsletter covering the latest developments in domestic and international climate policy and decarbonization, together with leading case studies from companies and local governments, thereby strengthening information sharing with JCI members.

◇ JCI Member Survey (April 15 – May 15, 2026)

More than 300 responses were received, confirming strong demand for information sharing on climate-related policies and regulatory developments, stronger policy advocacy, and the sharing of member initiatives. JCI will use these findings to further enhance its future activities and communications.

What Lies Ahead

Amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and growing uncertainty across the international community, the challenges surrounding energy and the economy are becoming increasingly complex. At the same time, the impacts of climate change continue to intensify around the world, making it more urgent than ever to steadily advance the transition to a decarbonized society.

JCI will further strengthen collaboration with diverse actors in Japan and abroad, build greater momentum for climate action across society, and continue supporting the efforts of non-state actors. JCI will continue to play a leading role in accelerating Japan’s decarbonization and contributing to the achievement of the 1.5°C goal.

1. Japan Climate Action Summit 2026 (JCAS2026)

To further build momentum for decarbonization in Japan, JCI will host the Japan Climate Action Summit 2026 (JCAS2026) in a hybrid format (in-person and online) on Friday, October 2, 2026. Further details will be announced at a later date.

2. Participation in International Events

JCI plans to participate in the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026.

▶ List of 43 New Members (Joined between July 6, 2025 and June 30, 2026)

〇 Companies

〇 Local Governments, Universities & Organizations

Earth Ranger Global Environment Academy
Higashiosaka City
Non-Profit Policy-Consulting Earth Sherpa
Pacific Environment
Peoples Power Network
Watashi no Mirai
Yokohama College of Commerce