Climate Change Program
About Us
JACSES was established in 1993, after the Earth Summit (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992), to promote understanding and action on International conventions of environment and sustainable development. In 1995, we published ‘The International Situation on Climate Change,’ highlighting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), domestic/international policy trends, and evaluation by NGOs.
In 1997, on the occasion of the Third Conference of the Parties (COP3) of the UNFCCC in Kyoto, we promoted information sharing and policy briefs about ‘Environmental Taxes’ and ‘CDM/Kyoto Mechanisms.’ These are essential topics for reducing CO2 emissions in Japan and supporting overseas reductions. Regarding environmental taxes, the “tax for global warming countermeasures (exceptional measures of petroleum and coal tax to counter global warming)” was implemented in October 2012, and efforts for CDM and Kyoto Mechanisms have progressed, contributing to Japan’s achievement of its Kyoto Protocol first commitment period target by 2012.
However, these efforts alone are not sufficient to prevent the damage caused by climate change. Recognizing the urgency of advocacy and awareness-raising, particularly on policies overlooked in international negotiations and climate change policies, we launched the activity to promote further adaptation measures. This aims to advance the reduction of all greenhouse gasses and adaptation measures, including vulnerable populations.
Amid the frequent damage that is thought to be caused by climate change in recent years, during 2021 and 2022, the Japanese government has announced a 2050 net zero greenhouse gas emissions target/carbon neutrality and the national target of a 46% reduction in CO2 emissions in fiscal 2030 compared to fiscal 2013. Yet, even before the 2050 target is achieved, the damage caused by climate change will continue to occur. In order to prevent the damage, it is essential to promote “reduction of greenhouse gasses other than CO2,” “cooperation in reducing greenhouse gasses in developing countries, which will continue to increase,” and “strengthening adaptation measures, including for poor and vulnerable groups.” in addition to building a domestic decarbonized society.
Efforts by NGOs to advocate and raise public awareness of climate change have hugely relied on grants from Western foundations, and Japanese foundations and citizen contributions have been little. Their support tends to be used for domestic CO2 emission reductions. Your support will enable us to promote further activities related to climate change. Please refer to the JACSES annual report for specific results in recent years.
This Climate Change Program is also looking for interns.
For more information, please click here.
Climate Change Program
Program Leader
Risa Endo
What We Do
- Strengthening climate change policies of government and international organizations
We conduct research and make policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the policies of the Japanese government, development agencies, and private financial institutions to prevent further damage from natural disasters such as typhoons and forest fires.
- Policy Brief: Global Climate Change Response and Proposals for Japan’s Contribution
- Statements
- Report of Recommendations
- Participation in Conferences
- Raising public awareness about climate change countermeasures
We regularly provide information and facilitate policy dialogues as a basis for facilitating the effective implementation of our research findings and policy recommendations to mitigate climate change impact
- Events
- Articles and Lectures
- Videos
- Newsletter
- Books
Risa Endo, and Jiro Adachi
