GEA International Conference 2022
27-28 October 2022

What is GEA?
The origins of GEA can be traced back to the International Eminent Persons’ Meeting onFinancing Global Environment and Development in Tokyo, Japan, held one year before
the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), thefirst international Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In response to a request from
UNCED Secretary-General Maurice STRONG, former Prime Minister TAKESHITA
Noboru played a major role in organising the event, bringing together former UnitedStates President Jimmy CARTER and other figures shaping international opinion. GEAis an NGO founded by former Prime Minister TAKESHITA, with membership fromJapanese leaders, supra-party Diet members, business leaders and academics. GEA
regularly holds international conferences, inviting participation from those at the world’s
top research institutes and international organisations, as well as influential figures who
shape international opinion, to bring to light the critical situation of the global
environment and disseminate the adopted recommendations to the rest of the world.

Chair’s Summary
The Global Environmental Action (GEA) International Conference 2022: “Challengesand Opportunities for Sustainable Societies: Climate Change, Energy and Food Security”
was convened in Tokyo on 27 and 28 October 2022.
This conference was organised by GEA, co-convened by the Government of Japan(Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Ministry of theEnvironment) and co-sponsored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The aim of theconference was to further advance the international discussion on the resolution of various
issues in the fields of climate change, energy, and food security, and to disseminate to therest of the world key recommendations on the technological, social and economic
innovations necessary for realising a sustainable society.
1. Opening Ceremony
In attendance of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, the conference began with an
opening speech by GEA Chairman YAMAGUCHI Shunichi, an address by His Majesty
the Emperor, and a guest speech by Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio. This was followed
by a keynote speech by Hans J. SCHELLNHUBER, Emeritus Director at Potsdam
Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) a video message by Fatih BIROL, Executive
Director at the International Energy Agency (IEA), a special lecture by KOIKE Yuriko,Governor of Tokyo, and a video message from Alok SHARMA, President of the 26th
Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26).
The Chair of the GEA International Conference 2022 was TAKEMOTO Kazuhiko,
Visiting Professor at the UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNUIAS) and Project Professor at the University of Tokyo.
1

GEA International Conference 2022
27-28 October 2022

Opening Speech
GEA Chairman YAMAGUCHI Shunichi began his opening speech by expressing hisgratitude for being able for convening this year’s conference. Noting the recent news ofextreme weather events, such as large typhoons and torrential rains in Japan and aroundthe world, he stressed the responsibility of the entire global society to reduce CO2
emissions to address the global environmental crisis that is climate change, and secure abright future for the next generation. He also expressed his hope that experts acting on
the global frontlines and GEA members would engage in active discussion and that
insights from these discussions could contribute to the international discourse, such as theUNFCCC COP27 to be held in Egypt next month.
His Majesty the Emperor’s Address
In His address, His Majesty the Emperor expressed that paving the way for conserving
the global environment from climate change and other threats is a challenge for which wemust take immediate action. His Majesty also stated that this conference is an invaluable
opportunity to gather global wisdom and foster cooperation between people fromdifferent countries and backgrounds to move forward towards creating a sustainable
society. His Majesty highlighted that 2022 is an important year that marks the beginningof the implementation of the Paris Agreement, with practical rules concluded at COP26
last year, and the start of discussions next month to develop a legally binding instrumenton plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. As the world needs to makeprogress on initiatives to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other suchgoals, how every individual should act to achieve the future we want is called intoquestion. Then, His Majesty expressed hope to convene active discussions anddisseminate key messages to the rest of the world, as well as making further progress onspecific measures toward realising a sustainable society, so that we may realise a future
where people—we, our children, and grandchildren—and all living beings can enjoy thegifts of the global environment for a long time.
The Guest Speech by Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio
Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio emphasised that, with more frequent natural disasters
and extreme weather events, climate change is an urgent issue common to all humanbeings, and that effective action from all countries is essential to achieve the goals of theParis Agreement. He stated that, while the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has changed thesituation surrounding energy security, it is still necessary to achieve net-zero by 2050,ensuring a stable energy supply. He stated that the Green Transformation (GX) is the key
enabler for this, and the climate issue is rather an engine of growth to transform thestructures of energy, industry, people’s livelihoods, and the community. He expressedhope for leading decarbonisation and growth in the world through global strategies, suchas the “Asian Zero Emission Community.” Additionally, he stated that biodiversity
conservation and measures against marine plastic litter are as important as climate action.
To illustrate, he also mentioned the new plastic waste recycling and promotion law, which
took effect in April this year, and the recently published roadmap towards “30 by 30,” agoal to conserve at least 30% of ecosystems on land and in the ocean by 2030. He stressedthat it is essential for Japan, as the host of the G7 Summit next year, to lead the2

GEA International Conference 2022
27-28 October 2022

international community by confronting complex and intertwined global issues. To
conclude, he expressed his high expectations for fruitful and active discussions on therealisation of a sustainable society, focusing on climate change, energy, and food security
at the conference.
Keynote Speech by Prof. Hans J. SCHELLNHUBER
Hans J. SCHELLNHUBER, Emeritus Director at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact
Research (PIK), stated that, for many populations living in environments vulnerable toclimate change, in addition to the decrease in food production due to the conflict inUkraine, resource depletion is an especially alarming issue. He delivered his speech on
the “Planetary Boundaries” concept and some new initiatives in the EU, summarised asfollows:
⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

⚫

The first assessment (2009) on planetary boundaries demonstrated that three of thenine planetary boundaries (climate, biodiversity, and the nitrogen cycle) have beenbreached. The latest assessment (2022; unpublished) shows that that six limits had
been breached, with the integrity of the biosphere at exceptionally high risk.
Despite the high ambitions of the Paris Agreement, climate action has so far been
insufficient. Even a 1.5ºC average temperature increase from pre-industrial levels
could cause massive and irreversible climatic changes at multiple locations aroundthe globe. Furthermore, as pointed out in his article, anthropogenic climate change
could lead to the threat of civilization’s extinction, propelling him call on the IPCC
to produce a special report on this issue. Unless there is a fundamental change in thenational policies on climate change, a temperature rise well beyond 2°C is expected;
thus, it is important to reduce CO2 emissions and strengthen nature as a carbon sink.
The EU, with its “European Green Deal,” aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 55%by 2030 and become the world ’ s first carbon-neutral continent. Decoupling
economic growth and emissions from fossil fuels is well within reach. It is clear fromthe example in Germany, where gross domestic product increased by 48% between
1990 and 2020, while emissions decreased by 41%.
Nature-based solutions (NbS) are effective for the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Reforestation of the one billion hectares of degraded area worldwide is one possible
measure. Others may involve using wooden materials produced under sustainable
forest management in urban buildings. As a means to store carbon for the next 100years, cycling the production and use of wood could contribute to a massive reduction,including of past emissions.
The newly launched EU initiative “New European Bauhaus” aims to address issues
such as climate change by co-creating sustainable, beautiful, and innovative lifestyles
and spaces. They have held meetings on using organic resources toward architecture
for a new era.

Finally, he expressed his hope for retimbering the city and buildings in line with NbS inJapan, a country where 70% of land is forest. He cited historical wooden buildings suchas the Horyuji Temple and recent innovation by a Japanese architect BAN Shigeru.
Video Message by Dr. Fatih BIROL
3GEA International Conference 2022
27-28 October 2022

In his video message, Fatih BIROL, Executive Director of the International Energy
Agency (IEA), stated that the recent energy crisis had affected almost every part of theworld, especially Europe as the epicentre, due to the region’s high dependence on Russia
for oil, natural gas and uranium. Additionally, soaring energy prices have also had
tremendous impacts in developing countries, predominantly those in Africa. He
mentioned that many governments are taking various policy measures to address theenergy crisis and accelerate the transition to clean energy. Some governments, such as theUS, Japan, Europe, China and India, have invested vast amounts of money in accelerating
the spread of clean and renewable energies, hydrogen and nuclear power, and electricvehicles. He expressed his hopes that the energy crisis motivates efforts toward progressin the fields of energy security, climate change countermeasures and industrial policy, andserve as the turning point in the energy policy history toward a future with better, safer,and cleaner energy.
Special Lecture by Ms. KOIKE Yuriko
KOIKE Yuriko, Governor of Tokyo, opened her keynote speech mentioning thechallenges associated with extreme weather due to climate change and the effects of theenergy crisis around the world. To tackle such challenges, the Tokyo MetropolitanGovernment, with a population of 14 million, has been working on decarbonisation andenergy security and has been implementing various initiatives to realise a green andresilient global city. She introduced the new Tokyo Environmental Master Plan and therecently developed roadmap, which aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The HTTTokyo initiative encourages zero emission buildings through installation of solar panels
on residential homes which cover a large part of power consumption. She added thatTokyo became the very first city in Japan to promote the mandatory installation of solar
power generation equipment in new houses, targeting house builders. The initiative also
includes the broader use of ZEVs to reduce emissions in the transport sector, thedevelopment of green hydrogen technology as a means of renewable energy, and thepromotion of green finance. Tokyo is also aiming to lead city-to-city collaboration, callingfor climate action through its “TIME TO ACT” movement and “G-Nets” (Global City
Network for Sustainability). She concluded her speech with the catchy concept of “SusHi
Tech Tokyo” (Sustainable High City-Tech. Tokyo), and commented on the willingness ofTokyo to promote a variety of ideas and technologies to overcome challenges faced bycities, and convey its ideas to the rest of the world.
Video Message by Mr. Alok SHARMA
Alok SHARMA, President of the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (COP26), began by emphasising that the UK Presidency
has been working towards the implementation of the Glasgow Climate Pact. He expressedthat he has been pushing for greater progress in public and private finance, calling on4GEA International Conference 2022
27-28 October 2022

multilateral development banks and garnering support for the Just Energy Transition
Partnerships, despite formidable challenges such as the war in Ukraine. He said that,while the chronic threat of climate change has worsened, as shown in extreme weather
events in Japan and the UK, more countries are realising that their energy systems should
not be dependent on fossil fuels. He then reiterated the UK’s climate commitments,
including reducing emissions by 68% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and expanding
renewable energy to generate 100% clean power by 2035, mentioning the role thatJapanese investments have played to facilitate this renewable energy transition. He
expressed hopes for the leadership of the Japanese G7 Presidency in 2023 to make further
progress on electric vehicle deployment, coal phase-out and industrial decarbonisation,
citing Japan’s emission reduction targets and elimination of overseas fossil fuel financing.
Finally, he stressed the need to demonstrate continued commitment to climate at COP27
in Egypt, building on the work of the Glasgow Climate Pact, enhancing energy security
and reducing energy costs, to ultimately keep 1.5 degrees alive.
2. Thematic Sessions① Decarbonisation and Energy Security
 Recent developments on climate change in Japan and global settings
 Geopolitical implications for climate security and energy transition
 International trends on offshore wind power and implications for Japan The role of finance in moving toward carbon neutrality
 Simultaneous resolution of climate change and other relevant issues throughmaximising synergies② Climate Change Adaptation and Water
 Scientific findings and projections on climate change and increased disaster risk
 Effective and efficient enhancement and promotion of weather disastercountermeasures that take climate change into consideration
 International cooperation on weather disaster preparedness in the era of climatechange③ Establishing Sustainable Societies: Bringing Biodiversity and Food Security into View
 The decisive decade for a sustainable future
 “Food system” as a nexus challenge Overcoming negative consequences of food systems
 The role of business, finance, local governments and research institutions④ Circular Economy and Countermeasures for Marine Plastic Litter Opportunities of a circular economy Mapping and monitoring the plastic pollution crisis
 Accelerating the shift to a circular economy for plastics
 Fostering international cooperation to overcome the transboundary plastic crisis

5

GEA International Conference 2022
27-28 October 2022

3. Wrap-Up Session and Acknowledgements
Under the facilitation of the Chair of the GEA International Conference 2022, eachsession chair reported on the critical points of their respective thematic session, and all
GEA members and session speakers further deepened their discussion. A report on thediscussions at the conference will be published on the official conference website in due
course (Please Read the QR code on the back cover for the session summaries.). In his
closing remarks, the Chair stressed the importance of returning to GEA’s starting pointand delivering opinions to policymakers worldwide. Then, he stated that he would
promptly compile the results of the discussions and deliver them to international forums,
such as the UNFCCC COP 27 to be held in Egypt next month. Finally, he expressed hisgratitude for the timely and active discussions in each session, as well as appreciation tothe GEA Executive Committee members and the GEA Secretariat for their efforts inorganising the conference, to the speakers and participants from Japan and abroad who
spoke on-site or online, and to all those involved in the smooth convening of theconference.
28 October 2022
GEA International Conference 2022 Chair
TAKEMOTO Kazuhiko

Read the QR code for the outcomes of the conference.

6