■Introduction
 On July 6, 2023, the Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) celebrated its 5th anniversary.
Looking back when JCI was established, there were some concerns about how this coalition would be perceived by the Japanese Non-State Actors (NSAs). However, not only did the number of members who joined from the beginning exceed expectations, but the number has continued to grow steadily ever since. It’s not just about increasing membership. JCI-organized events are participated by JCI members as well as many non-member attendees. In addition, the foundation was laid for the so-called “Ambition Loop”, in which the government and NSAs bring each other aiming higher, such is now customary as sending members’ joint messages to the Japanese government.
 Through these activities over the past five years, JCI has pioneered a new field of NSAs in Japan’s climate actions, and we are proud that JCI has shown an indispensable presence in Japan.
 The followings are report on the activities to date and the prospects for the coming year.

■ Trajectory of main activities over the past five years (each year’s activity results can be seen in the annual updates)　　　　　　　　　　　　

■ The Achievements in the past year
1. Joined by 77 new organizations, bringing the total to 779
 JCI started with 105 organizations on July 6, 2018, and 77 new organizations have joined in the past year, bringing the total to 779 organizations (595 companies, 38 local governments, and 146 others). New participating organizations consist of 72 companies, including 53 companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, one local government, and four other organizations.
 Among all JCI member companies, the number of companies working on RE100 and SBT is also increasing. Of the 80 Japanese companies participating in RE100, 67 are JCI members, and 160 of the 572 Japanese companies that have obtained the SBTi approved targets or have committed to setting a Science Based Target within 2 years are JCI members. In addition, 77 out of 183 organizations participating in Race to Zero from Japan are JCI members.

▶ Newly joined 77 members (July 6, 2022- June 30, 2023)
▶ List of all member organizations

2. Message from JCI to the world on the occasion of G7 in Japan
 Prior to the G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo, on April 12, 2023, JCI released a joint message titled “Overcoming Two Crises with Renewable Energy and Carbon Pricing”. This message, endorsed by 303 JCI members (225 companies, 16 local governments, 62 organizations and NGOs, etc.) called on the Japanese government to introduce effective measures to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy and implement regulatory reforms in order to realize the goal agreed upon by the G7 at last year’s summit to “achieving a fully or predominantly decarbonized electricity supply by 2035”. In the midst of the simultaneous climate and energy crises, this message was the first time that Japanese companies, local governments, and organizations had come together, individually and collectively, by name, to call for stronger climate change countermeasures, including the early introduction of practical carbon pricing. The message, which included a wide range of companies, local governments, and organizations, represents the collective determination of Japanese Non-State actors to take the initiative in reducing emissions and the strong will to strengthen policies to support these efforts in order to overcome the two crises. On the same day, a press conference was held in Sapporo and was covered by numerous media outlets both in Japan and overseas.

3. Urging the Japanese government
 In conjunction with the above announcement, on April 12, 2023, a letter from the Co-Representatives of JCI was sent to the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Minister of the Environment, along with the JCI message. In addition, JCI secretariat visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet Office, and the Ministry of the Environment to reiterate the significance and problem awareness of the JCI message and confirmed to continue the dialogue and cooperation in the future.

4. Strengthening efforts of Japanese NSAs: events
 JCI hosted following events as a place to share the global movement to overcome the climate crisis, the pioneering experiences of Japanese companies and local governments, and enhance the efforts of Non-State Actors.

◇JCI Webinar Series #3 “Challenges on Phaseout of Coal Power Generation: From Perspectives of the Policies in the UK and Japan”(July 8, 2022)
◇JCI Webinar: Race to Zero Participation Requirements Revised (August 25, 2022)
◇JCI Members Only Online Workshop (September 1, 2022)
◇Japan Climate Action Summit 2022 (October 14, 2022)
◇Event @ COP27 Japan Pavilion (November 14, 2022)
◇JCI Webinar: G7/GX Basic Policy (February 10, 2023)
◇Transition Plans: What, why, when and how?(March 28, 2023)

■ Upcoming activities
 As shown in the Synthesis Report of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, a 65% reduction in global CO2 emissions by 2035 is necessary to limit the increase in global average temperature to 1.5°C. To achieve this, the Japanese government must also raise its emission reduction target, strengthen reduction measures toward 2030, and accelerate reduction.
 To that end, JCI will continue to act to increase the momentum for Japan’s climate change countermeasures, accelerate concrete actions by all actors, and transform Japan’s reduction targets and climate policies into those that are consistent with the world’s 1.5° C target.

1. Events: Japan Climate Action Summit 2023 and webinar series
 Japan Climate Action Summit 2023 (JCAS2023) will be held both in-person at the venue and online on Friday, October 6ththis year, aiming to further improve the momentum for decarbonization in Japan. Details will be announced in due course.
 In addition, a series of webinars will be hosted before JCAS2023.

 Series #1 “Knowing Science: IPCC 6th Assessment Report Key Points of Synthesis Report and Targets/Latest Trends in Formulation of Transition Plan” (July 13)
 Series #2 “Understanding the Situation: Current Status and Challenges of Japan’s GX Policy” (August)
 Series #3 “Raise Your Voice: Race To Zero 5th P: Persuade” (September)

2. Participation in COP28 (November-December 2023)
 JCI will participate in COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 30 November 30 to 12 December 12 this year.

3. Advocacy activities that capture international trends
 While grasping global trends and demands by taking advantage of important events such as the UN Climate Ambition Summit and G20 Summit in September, and COP28 in November to December, JCI members will actively promote policy proposals and participate in dialogues with the government aiming to increase the effectiveness of Japanese policies.

■ Conclusion: Message from Co-Representatives

 We do not have to wait for the IPCC 6th Synthesis Report and the World Meteorological Organization to issue alarm bells: the worsening of climate change knows no bounds. There is a growing sense of crisis around the world that we have already entered a dangerous level. Against this backdrop, efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 are not only about saving the planet from the climate crisis, but also increasing countries, regions, industries, companies, individuals, and societies’ ability to survive in the 21st century.
 The Japanese government, which calls this social transformation the Green Transformation (GX), has passed the GX Promotion Act. While the size of the combined public and private investment of over 150 trillion yen planned in the GX policy shows its enthusiasm, the substance is not in line with the level and speed required globally and will not be ready in time for the climate crisis and the fierce GX competition that has already begun. If this is the case, it is up to the NSAs in Japan, especially JCI, to speak out and fill the gaps in Japan’s GX policy.
 Please recall JCI’s founding commitment was to “stand at the forefront of global challenges in order to realize the decarbonized society envisioned by the Paris Agreement.” The next 5 to 10 years will be critical in the fight against the climate crisis. With this determination in mind, let us work hard for Japan, the world, and future generations.

Takejiro Sueyoshi and Sergio Shigeo Kato, Co-Representatives of JCI

■ Newly joined 77 members during July 6, 2022 – June 30, 2023 (alphabetical order)

〇 Companies

〇Local government
Toshima City

〇 Others
Greenpeace Japan
Zeroemi
NPO NOUTOKAIGI
Japan Wind Power Association

PDF: 5th Anniversary of the Japan Climate Initiative: Achievements and Future Developments

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