<Release> The list of endorsers for the JCI’s Message

JCI’s Message to the World on the Occasion of the G7 Summit in Japan
Overcoming Two Crises with Renewable Energy and Carbon Pricing

12 April 2023

Accelerating Renewable Energy Deployment and Early Introduction of Effective Carbon Pricing

Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) today released the message, “Overcoming Two Crises with Renewable Energy and Carbon Pricing” (Annex 1). The message is endorsed by 303 organizations (225 companies, 16 local governments, 62 organizations and NGOs, etc.) (Annex 2).

The G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo, to be held on April 15 and 16 prior to the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May this year, will be an important meeting in terms that it will determine the outlines of strategies for the G7 countries to confront the climate and energy crises that are simultaneously advancing. At that moment, the Japanese government has decided on the “Basic Policy for the Realization of GX”, and intends to implement the energy policies based on the GX basic policy.

Seizing this important opportunity, this message urges the Japanese government to introduce effective measures and implement regulatory reforms to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy in order to realize the goal of “achieving a fully or predominantly decarbonized electricity supply by 2035,” which the G7 countries agreed to at summit last year. The message also calls for the introduction of a carbon pricing system that will see tangible outcomes earlier than currently planned.

303 organizations endorsed the message including many large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises supporting local communities, local governments, consumer groups, and religious organizations

In the midst of the climate and energy crises simultaneously, this is the first time that Japanese companies, local governments, and organizations have come together to call for stronger action on climate change, including the earlier introduction of an effective carbon pricing system, under the banner of their individual organization names.

The message was endorsed by leading Japanese corporations in a wide range of fields, including 118, Tokyo Stock Exchange prime listed companies, IT, materials, machinery, steel, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, transportation, food, retail, housing and construction, civil engineering, urban development, and finance and insurance. Also, the Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership and Network of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs for a Sustainable Business and Energy Future that are corporate groups actively promoting climate action are among the endorsing members.

Among local governments, 4 prefectures – Kanagawa, Shiga, Kyoto, Tokushima -, and 12 cities and districts -Sapporo, Setagaya, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Odawara, Hamamatsu, Omihachiman, Kyoto, Osaka, Sakai, Toyonaka and Matsuyama – have endorsed the message. In addition, consumer organizations such as the Japan Consumers’ Co-operative Union, which has approximately 30 million members nationwide, the Soka Gakkai, universities and research institutes, NGO/NPOs, youth organizations, and others have supported the message, which truly represent the diversity of JCI members.

The message, which was endorsed by a wide range of businesses, 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 dual crises.

The Sixth Synthesis Report of the IPCC, released on March 20, indicates that in order to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C, the world greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 60% by 2035, compared to 2019 levels. In order to be at the forefront of the world’s efforts to meet this scientific challenge, Japan Climate Initiative calls on the Japanese government to supply the vast majority of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2035, and to introduce highly effective carbon pricing system earlier than planned to ensure that the 2030 emission reduction target is achieved and further raised to the next level.

Release PDF
Annex1: JCI message PDF
Annex2: List of endorsing organizations PDF
Comments from the endorsing members

Annex1: JCI message

JCI’s Message to the World on the Occasion of the G7 Summit in Japan

Overcoming Two Crises with Renewable Energy and Carbon Pricing

The world is now facing two crises: the climate crisis and the energy crisis. We, Japanese non-state actors including companies, local governments, NGOs, and others participating in the Japan Climate Initiative, call on the Japanese government to reduce dependence on fossil fuels such as coal and overcome the two crises by accelerating the deployment of renewable energy and introducing effective carbon pricing as soon as possible. We will also take the lead in taking action.

Supply the vast majority of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2035
At the G7 Summit in May last year, the G7 nations set a common goal of achieving a fully or predominantly decarbonized electricity supply by 2035. While Japan’s current Basic Energy Plan aims for 36-38% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030, four G7 countries (Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy) already derive more of their electricity from renewable energy sources than Japan’s 2030 target calls for. In addition to these four countries, renewable energy is expected to account for most of the electricity supply in the U.S. by 2035.

We call on the Japanese government to not only achieve the current 2030 target, but also to introduce effective measures and implement regulatory reforms to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy, such as accelerating the development of both bottom-fixed and floating offshore wind farms and making the installation of solar power generation mandatory for new buildings, so that the vast majority of electricity will come from renewable energy sources by 2035.

As the two crises progress, the shift from soaring fossil fuel costs to low-cost renewable energy has become an even more rational choice, and the use of PPA is seeing rapid growth in Japan. JCI members will continue to develop and use renewable energy that is new& additional, and sustainable, making the best use of these methods including PPA.

Early introduction of effective carbon pricing
The International Energy Agency reported that carbon prices in developed countries should be USD 130/tCO2 in 2030 to achieve net zero in 2050. The Japanese government has indicated in its “Basic Policy for the Realization of GX” that it intends to introduce carbon pricing, but the carbon levy will not be introduced until FY2028, and the emissions trading system will remain voluntary for the next 10 years. Also, the carbon price level that can be estimated based as a result of this policy will be only one-tenth of the IEA’s recommendation.

We call on the Japanese Government to introduce a carbon pricing system that will see tangible outcomes earlier than currently planned to ensure that Japan’s 2030 emission reduction target is met and further enhanced, and that Japanese companies’ sincere efforts to decarbonize are duly recognized internationally as decarbonization becomes the rule for global business transactions, including the introduction of carbon border adjustment measures.

Standing at the forefront of the global challenge to achieve the 1.5℃ goal
We believe that Japan should and can play a greater role in the global effort to overcome the climate crisis. We at JCI are committed to pioneering emission reductions and deepening collaboration among non-state actors in Japan and abroad to serve as a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world.

Japan Climate Initiative (JCI), April, 2023

Annex2: List of Endorsing Organizations

List of endorsing organizations (alphabetical order)　
(Total 303: including 225 companies, 16 local governments and 62 organizations/NGOs)

Companies (Total 225)

Local governments (Total 16)

NGOs and other stakeholders (Total 62)

Comments from the endorsing members (in alphabetical order)

Katsuhiro Akimoto, Mayor of Sapporo
In February 2020, the City of Sapporo declared its goal of becoming a zero-carbon city, setting a high target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 59% as compared to 2013 levels by the year 2030, exceeding the government’s reduction target. We are working on thorough energy-saving measures and the expansion of renewable energy.
Taking the opportunity of the G7 Ministers’ Meeting on Climate, Energy and Environment in Sapporo, we will raise citizens’ and businesses’ awareness of the environment and further accelerate our efforts to realize a sustainable society.

Kazunori Maruyama, President & Representative Director, DSM Japan
There is no 1.5 °C future without rapid energy transformation. DSM is delivering our part for this target through our 2030 Science Based GHG Targets and by reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050 latest. We have already shown great progress by reducing our GHG emissions from our operations by 35% in absolute terms since 2016. Purchasing renewable electricity is key part of this journey. We are aiming to purchase 100% from renewable sources by 2030, being already at 78% globally and 60% in DSM Japan, with constant efforts to accelerate our -and the global- journey by investing in new& additional sources. However, we need all countries, with G7 leading the way in accelerating the deployment of renewable energy through regulatory reforms.
DSM also strongly supports carbon pricing as effective key instrument for the transition. DSM joins in calling Japanese Government to introduce a carbon pricing system that will see tangible outcomes earlier than currently planned – we are already prepared for this applying an internal carbon price of 100€/ton CO2e to steer our decision-making.

Mikako Suzuki, Corporate Officer in charge of ESG and Risk Management, ESG Strategy Division, RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
Ricoh has historically set ambitious scienced-based targets.  We are currently aiming to achieve renewable electricity ratio at 50% and reduce GHG Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 63% in 2030 from the level of 2015. The latest IPCC report indicates urgent needs for us to further strengthen and accelerate our initiatives to avoid the climate crisis.  We expect strong leadership of G7 on this important matter.

▶Video Message

Muneaki Tokunari, Director CFO, NIKON CORPORATION
The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of modern time. To overcome it, all non-state actors, including businesses and local governments, and national governments need to work together to combat climate change. For example, in order to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy, it is essential not only for companies to make efforts, but also for the national government to support them through effective policies.
Tackling the climate crisis will lead to sustainable growth for both Japanese society and the companies themselves. Nikon will continue to work with other non-state actors and the national government to realize the decarbonized society.

Sandra Wu, Wen-Hsiu, Chairperson and CEO, Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
At Kokusai Kogyo we have set ourselves the mission to pass on a healthy planet and society to future generations. We are focusing our resources on taking action toward zero greenhouse gas emissions in our operations and providing decarbonizing technology services to local governments and businesses. In order to keep the world below 1.5°C, all of us stakeholders need to accelerate our efforts. I hope that the G7 will unite to achieve results that result in practical and effective action, such as making net zero action a mandatory requirement for public procurement vendors.

▶Video Message