October 5, 2017
ICEF 2017 Statement from the Steering Committee
1. Introduction
The Innovation for Cool Earth Forum (ICEF) was established in 2014 through theinitiative of Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan. The fourth annual ICEF washeld on October 4-5, 2017 in Tokyo. More than 1,000 experts from government, thebusiness sector and academia representing about 80 countries and regions
attended and discussed a variety of topics in plenary and concurrent sessions. The
Steering Committee of the ICEF is pleased to announce the following statement.
2. Ultimate necessity of net zero CO2 emissions
We emphasize that innovation and its diffusion for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions is becoming increasingly important considering current and future
unpredictability of a political will directed toward climate change mitigation.
Consequently, significant progress in reducing GHG emissions will require a coalitionof willing national and local governments, the private sector as well as all people.
We reaffirm the absolute necessity of the goal to achieve at least global net zero
anthropogenic CO2 emissions over the long term in order to stabilize global
temperature levels, including holding the increase in the global averagetemperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels as adopted under theParis Agreement at COP21. “Net zero” means that while most areas should seek
zero emission, some areas could be permitted positive emission only in case theyshould be offset by negative emissions. In order to achieve this goal, CO2 emissions
must peak as soon as possible. The global community should pursue this goal
together with other goals described in SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), suchas poverty alleviation, economic growth and energy access, as articulated in the UN
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
3. Importance of technology innovation
Technological innovation is crucial not only to achieve our goals but also to allow us
to enhance our goal to be more ambitious while ensuring multiple benefits for theeconomy. Innovation can contribute to job creation and economic development.
With this in mind, all countries should endeavor to achieve the goal of net zero
emissions in the following ways: first, through reducing energy demand bydeploying new technologies such as the Internet of Things; second, throughexpanding use of zero emission technologies such as renewables and nuclear

power; third, by accelerating the diffusion of advanced low carbon products andpromoting the use of infrastructure utilizing low carbon technologies; and fourth, by
supporting financial and social innovation as well as international cooperation. In
view of the enormous demand for energy in developing countries, it is important fordeveloped countries to promote worldwide dissemination of the technologies
mentioned above.
4. Promotion of social innovation
Use of the Internet of Things, the Artificial Intelligence and the Big Data affects
energy systems as well as social behavior. Emerging new technologies are expected
to be widely used in the future to reduce energy use and to reform social systems.
At ICEF 2017, emerging technologies and the need for social system innovation
which may have significant effects on society and human behavior were discussed
in sessions such as “Social System Innovation in the Energy Sector” and “Managing
Energy Demand and Supply.” ICEF 2017 also included a session on the role ofdiversity in promoting innovative approaches to deal with climate change, such as
empowerment of youth and women.
5. Role of the industrial sector
The industrial sector is key for innovation and its diffusion. We should recognize thatthe role of the industrial sector in reducing CO2 emissions is not limited toproduction processes but also includes transboundary diffusion of eco-products. It
is therefore important to accelerate industrial sector actions which contribute to
reducing CO2 emissions and to also announce their contributions to encourage
stakeholders’ supports such as investments by the financial sector.
6. Strategy to accelerate innovation in a holistic system
Due to significant efforts by both the private and public sectors, innovation in theenergy sector is accelerating along with rapid diffusion of many market-readytechnologies such as wind and solar power. To further accelerate dissemination ofthese technologies, a systems approach, especially with regard to appropriate
market design, is necessary in order to mobilize finance, technology transfer andinternational cooperation. In addition to research and development activities,
human resource development and investment are also required. It should beemphasized that a large-scale transformation of the energy sector will also
contributetopromoting

sustainable

development,

includingcreationof

employment opportunities and other multiple benefits for Sustainable Development
Goals.