Zero Carbon City International Forum

Day 1: 9th March 2022 20:00-22:10 (EST) / 10:00-12:10 (JST), Day 2: 10th March 7:00-9:15 (EST) / 21:00-23:15 (JST)

Subnational governments are increasingly becoming the leading actors in decarbonization. Subnational governments have an important role to play in pursuing the net-zero target, raising ambitions at local level and strengthening urban resilience.

The impacts of climate change are now evident all over the world, and immediate climate actions are necessary to address this urgent global challenge. The 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Glasgow, UK, adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact, which calls for countries to accelerate their reduction efforts to keep the global average temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact recognize the important role of non-state actors in climate actions, including local and regional governments.

Now subnational governments are playing an increasingly important role in setting out and implementing the framework of local climate actions to achieve the goal of net zero emissions. Enhanced cooperation between subnational and national governments will be crucial in helping countries achieve ambitious 2030 goals and net-zero emissions no later than 2050. As the end of January 2022, 1115 cities and regions have registered themselves in the Race to Zero, a global campaign of non-state actors.

In Japan, as of 31 January 2022, 534 local and regional governments announced their intention to pursue a net-zero emissions target by 2050, which accounts for about 89% of the total population. The Japanese government developed the Regional Decarbonization Roadmap in cooperation with subregional governments in June 2021, setting out priority measures and actions to achieve zero carbon such as the creation of at least 100 "leading decarbonized regions" by fiscal 2030. At the global level, more subnational governments will increase their ambition in addressing climate change and set a goal of net zero at least by 2050.

The net-zero emission target requires bold measures to transform our social systems. While this will not be an easy task, it will give us opportunities to build back better from the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic.

The objective of this forum is to;

1. Share leading subnational climate policies and actions.
2. Encourage city-to-city collaboration for expanding the “Decarbonization Domino Effect” by sharing lessons and opportunities.
3. Discuss how multi-level governance can facilitate local and national climate actions.

Event Details

Date

Day 1: 9th March 2022 20:00-22:10 (EST) / 10:00-12:10 (JST), Day 2: 10th March 7:00-9:15 (EST) / 21:00-23:15 (JST)

Venue

Online (YouTube live streaming will be provided)

Organisers

Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ)

Office of Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, United States of America

Collaborators

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability

Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)

Languages

Japanese / English

(Simultaneous interpretation)

Programme

Day 1: 9th March 2022

Time: 20:00-22:10(EST)

20:00	Opening Remarks	YAMAGUCHI Tsuyoshi, Minister of the Environment, Japan
20:00	Opening Remarks	Representative from US
20:10	Framing Session	Role of Subnational Government
20:20	Session 1: Net Zero Transition: how cities are moving towards zero carbon Local climate action is critical to achieve the zero carbon emission target by 2050, and it is important to encourage more subregional governments to raise ambitions and ensure proactive policy planning and implementation. This session aims to share commitments and lessons of leaders of subnational governments towards the zero-carbon goal.
21:00	Break
21:05	Session 2: Working Together for Zero Carbon Society – national-subnational and city-to-city cooperation Cooperation of actors is key to achieving zero carbon goals. Local and regional governments got together at COP26 to emphasize that cooperation between national and subnational governments is essential to pursue the 1.5 degree C target. Such multilevel cooperation includes policy alignment of national and local climate policies as well as appropriate national support to local and regional governments. At COP26, it was reported that mutual learning through city-to-city collaboration could be a key driver to raise ambitions and accelerate actions. This session will provide snapshots of national governments’ actions to facilitate cooperation with and support actions of subnational governments and city-to-city cooperation towards zero carbon society.
22:05	Closing Remarks
22:10	Closure of the day 1

Day 2: 10th March 2022

Time: 7:00-9:15 (EST)

7:00

Opening Remarks

7:10

Parallel Session 1: City-to-City Collaboration: accelerating the decarbonization domino

The Ministry of the Environment, Japan has been promoting city-to-city collaboration since 2013, aiming to contribute zero/low-carbon development of cities in developing countries by providing know-how, technologies, products, and systems that Japanese local governments have been accumulating while tackling environment and climate issues. Such collaboration has been contributing to increased ambitions and climate policies/actions of partner cities. This session introduces the benefits and outcomes of city-to-city collaboration towards zero-carbon target.

Parallel Session 2: Zero Carbon Challenges: trends and initiatives to promote transition in key areas

This session shares trends and challenges of city actions including in the building and transportation sectors from the perspective of international or research organizations. Information will be shared on various support programs.

8:00

Break

8:05

Parallel Session 3: Pursuing Resilient Cities

COP26 highlighted the importance of action on climate adaptation. When tackling climate change, it is vital to consider nature and equity issues. This session shares local actions on climate adaptation and how collaboration between national and local governments as well as among cities can facilitate ways to strengthen adaptation actions at the local level.

Parallel Session 4: Parallel Session: Zero Carbon Urban Development (zero carbon town development)

To realize zero carbon community, climate concerns should be included in urban planning. This session introduces some concrete actions taken by subregional governments and local stakeholders to make cities/regions zero-carbon, including zero-carbon town initiatives and policies to accelerate the renovation wave.

8:55	Break
9:00	Closing Plenary	(review of the forum from Rapporteurs)
9:10	Closing remarks
9:15	Closure of the forum