“Tokyo Climate Change Strategy”
Masa Ohara
Director for Environmental Policy Division
Bureau of Environment, TMG
Tokyo announced "Tokyo climate change measures policy" on the 1st June of 2007. This
indicates a clear position on climate change measures in Tokyo for the next 10 years as well asa shift in the policy outlook.
In addition to the policy explained by this announcement, Tokyo has targeted 25% CO2
reduction by 2020 (as compared to 2000) by means of substantially new policies. These policies
consist of four mechanisms of intervention (as outlined in pages 4 and 5 of aforementioned
document). First, "the formulation of a mechanism for maximum CO2 reduction using
Japanese environmental engineering innovations". Second, "clarifying the role andresponsibility of every large, medium and small enterprise and households to reduce CO2 byappropriate means". Third, "treating the first 3〜4 years as "the kick-off period to convert tolow carbon society" and implementing strategically intensive measures for the same". Fourth,"making necessary and drastic investments by utilizing private funds, global warming measurepromotion funds and taxes, etc.".
To contrast the main policies with the relations between these basic mechanisms ofinterventions and explain clearly, I indicate the policy package in which these four mechanisms
are combined (figure on page 20). This policy package is a series of specific types of policies
integrated according to the following logic. More than one policies that are simple and do nothave mutual side effects on each other are combined. At first the potential of environmental
engineering is utilized, after which appropriate actions by each enterprise and household areexpected according to its role and responsibility. Then the implementation plan of intensive
measures is drawn up and expected to begin in the first 3-4 years. Finally, adequate funds areraised to meet the requirement of the households and small and medium-sized industries
which have weak funding ability.
The first mechanism, "Obligation to reduce emissions," makes all large-scale businessestablishments which are required to reduce CO2 the stakeholders. This mechanism requires
them to establish the level of reduction target as per the top runner method and execute it.
This method sets new reduction target for an organization based on its reduction results
achieved in the past five year. Therefore, for the business establishments which have alreadyundertaken stringent measures, easier CO2 emission reduction obligation is imposed. On theother hand, for the business establishments whose measures have been insufficient so far,obligation of severe CO2 emission reduction is imposed.

The second mechanism, "Emission Trading System," allows business establishments to buy
amounts of reduction from others which can reduce more than their reduction obligation (itpremises the principle that an organization is responsible for the execution of its own emission
reduction). It also allows buying the emission reduction amount of the small-to-medium-sizedbusiness establishments which have no emission reduction obligation.
The third mechanism, "Program of encouragement and support for the installation ofenergy-saving facilities at small businesses and households," demands that Tokyo must aid bymeans of technology and funds to promote aggressive CO2 emission reduction by small andmedium enterprises and households whose measures are behind the schedule. This is required
because there may not be adequate technological knowledge or access to funds in these sectors.
The amount of reduction here is connected with the second mechanism and is also used forsupport of the reduction measures in large-scale business establishments.
Finally the fourth mechanism, "Energy conservation tax incentives, etc," provides the means
to secure funds for implementation of the third mechanism. Specifically, investments fromprivate funds are suggested and the flow of funds necessary to implement the reduction
measures by each stakeholder is estimated. This is facilitated by Tokyo's promise that longterm secure funds will be invested in energy conservation businesses.
The policy package explained above is a characteristic example. By combining all the policies
which have been already announced and inserted in handouts, and putting them into effect,
Tokyo can be transformed to a low carbon society.
Tokyo would like to host the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2016 following the London Olympics in2012. And we’re aiming to make the people from all over the world who will gather for theOlympic Games realize the validity of the mechanisms suitable for achieving a low carbon
society city. Moreover, after these two Olympic Games, we hope that we would like to reorient
the consciousness in the world towards the recognition that "to discharge CO2" is different
from "to become abundant".
It will be done in the whole world after witnessing successful examples in London and Tokyo,
and in this way, the reformation to low carbon society would spread all over the world. So thisOlympic movement would play a big role in human history.