Becoming a net-zero emissions city through transformative changes in lifestyle,work-style and urban infrastructure
Kyoto is one of the world’s most unique historical cities: one that has developed over themillennia without disruption to its urban function and culture. Although a large city with a population
over one million, forests cover three-fourths of the municipal area. Surrounded by these blessingsfrom the earth, Kyoto has cultivated its culture in co-existence with nature striving towards a city thatplaces no burden on the natural environment.
It is also the city that set the stage for the dawn of the Kyoto Protocol, the first international
convention in human history on climate change and the newest challenge shared by the human race.
Through the cooperation of a diverse set of stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and civic
groups, Kyoto has promoted breakthrough initiatives with a sense of pride and mission as thebirthplace of the Kyoto Protocol.
As a result of these actions, greenhouse gas emissions have peaked out, and global warming
countermeasures are being further promoted with a focus on the “Road to Zero Project”, a strategy
that aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
In December 2017, we took a look back on the 20 years since the breakthrough of the Kyoto
Protocol on the international scene and renewed our determination to promote climate change
measures through city-to-city collaboration with the announcement of the “Kyoto Declaration for
Cultivating a Culture of Sustainable Cities” in collaboration with cities around the world, including
Paris: the stage for the Paris Agreement.
We will join the Talanoa dialogues from our stance as a local government, so that we can strive toachieve even higher reduction targets by overcoming various conflicts of interest and friction between
nations, as we move towards the achievement of the “2°C target” and the “net-zero greenhouse gas
emissions,” as outlined in the Paris Agreement, marking a tremendous leap forward from the Kyoto
Protocol.
1

History of Global Warming Measures in Kyoto City
The “Third Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (COP3)” was held in December 1997, where the Kyoto Protocol, the firstinternational agreement on global warming countermeasures in human history, was adopted. Kyoto
City has promoted various advanced initiatives in cooperation with a multitude of diverse stakeholders,maintaining a sense of pride and vocation as the birthplace of this Protocol.

Kyoto City developments related to global warming countermeasures
1997

COP3 held, “Program of Global Warming Countermeasures” formulated

2004
2009
2010

First code ever in Japan exclusively“Code of Global Warming Countermeasures” enacted
focusing on global warming
countermeasures
Selected as an Eco-model city by the Japanese government
New decision to aim for the creation of a low-carbon society that reduces GHG emissions byat least 80%, and comprehensive revision of the “Code of Global Warming Countermeasures”

2011

Formulated a new version of the “Program of Global Warming Countermeasures” as anaction plan for achieving the reduction targets set forth in the comprehensively revised code
Formulation of energy strategies
Establishment of the “Shimatsu no Kokoro Code (Kyoto Waste Reduction and Appropriate

2013
2015

1

2016
2017

Disposal Code)” that aims to reduce the amount of waste by half
Selected as one of the “100 Resilient Cities” by the Rockefeller Foundation
Revision of plans (shaping adaptation measures, the “Road to Zero Project”, current plans)

2019

Organization of the “Kyoto Conference on the Global Environment 2017 (KYOTO+20)” tocommemorate the 20th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol
Organization of the 49th General Session of the IPCC

2 Where are we?
(1)Reduction Targets
The following three reduction targets have been set for greenhouse gas emissions in the “Kyoto
City Global Warming Countermeasure Code”, Japan’s first code dedicated to measures to counter theissue of global warming.
(1) Reduction of at least 80%(2) 25% below those levels by 2020
(3) 40% below those levels by 2030

from the levels in 1990

(2) Features of Global Warming Countermeasures in Kyoto City
Kyoto City promotes action that unifies all parties, such as civic society and the private sector, byconsidering global warming countermeasures to be an issue that applies both to ourselves and thosearound us, not simply as a problem that should be solved by others. This spirit can be foundthroughout all areas, such as the promotion of energy conservation under the slogan, “DO YOU
KYOTO?”, which means “Are you doing something good for the environment?”, the expanded
application of renewable energy through solar power generation projects with investment fromresidents, reduction of waste under the pillars of “promoting the 2Rs” and “mandatory separation”,
and the "Pedestrian first" strategy that prioritizes people and public transport.
Following the adoption of the "Resolution on the Shift to Energy Policies with Reduced
Dependency on Nuclear Power and the Wider Spread of Renewable Energy" at the Kyoto City
Assembly in March 2012, Kyoto City has been working on promoting thorough energy conservation,
dramatically expanding the introduction of renewable energy, and promoting environment- andenergy-related projects while encouraging innovation.
【Promotion of Energy Conservation】<Municipal Energy Consumption>
Peak Year（FY 1997）

104,201 TJ

Most Recent Year (FY 2016）27.2％ reduction！

<Leading Initiatives>○ Eco-Friendly Districts
In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from theresidential sector, school districts that play a central role incommunity activities are working to changeover toenvironmentally-friendly lifestyles and improve community potential
275,833 TJ

with the involvement of the entire community.
Currently, all 222 school districts in the city have become Eco-School Districts and are carrying out
various eco-activities. Each district conducts such activities with a bit of unique ingenuity, such as
promoting energy conservation using communities to resemble “energy management systems” and“free flea markets” where used articles are traded free of charge.
○ Children Eco-Life Challenge
Using the “Children Eco-Life Challenge Workbook,”
environmental education is offered to children in the upper grades at
all Kyoto municipal elementary schools to help them deeply consider
their lifestyles and practice global warming countermeasures from achild’s perspective. This initiative is spreading both throughout Japanand abroad and is also being implemented at all elementary schools
in the Iskandar Development Region of Malaysia. Kyoto City is
supporting and collaborating with Iskandar in the implementation of this project.
【Expanded Introduction of Renewable Energy】<The amount of power generated from photovoltaic power generation systems in Kyoto City>
Energy Strategy Base Year (FY 2010)

Most Recent Year (FY 2016)

13,600 kW

99,000 kW

Increased by 7.3 times！
Increasedby 7.3times！

<Leading Initiatives>○ Citizen's Joint Power Station System
Photovoltaic power generation facilities are being installed by renting out the roofs of city-owned
facilities with funds procured from residents and businesses themselves in a system where allresidents can be directly involved in the spread of renewable energy.
○ Production of Biodiesel Fuel
Since the launch of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, food waste oil collected in communities has been
converted into biodiesel fuel for use by garbage collection trucks and city buses.
Currently, about one million liters of biodiesel fuel are produced each year and are used to power
136 garbage trucks and 104 city buses.
【Promotion of Environment- and Energy-related projects and Encouraging Innovation】○ Cellulose Nanofiber (CNF) Project
The Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture and Kyoto University are
3jointly promoting initiatives on cellulose nanofibers (CNF), which is attracting attention as a newplant-derived material. This includes the development of the “Kyoto Process”, a manufacturingmethod that produces resin with increased strength using CNF at low costs.
○ Support for Entry of Local Kyoto Businesses into the Green Innovation Market
Support is offered to companies in Kyoto wishing to enter the market in order to develop as
leading industries which can respond to the modern needs of today’s society. This support is madepossible through the application of an “All-Kyoto” system involving Kyoto City along with Kyoto
Prefecture and its corresponding industrial systems, which uses development and commercializationof business models that can contribute to eco- and energy-related industries.
○ Kyoto Green Chemical Network
In order to promote environment- and energy-related industries in Kyoto, the city has establishedgreen technologies focusing on research and development through the collaboration of industries,
academia, government, and civic society in the field of chemical technology, one of Kyoto’s strengths.
It supports the creation of new business based on these achievements.
【Waste Reduction】<Amount of Waste>
Most Recent Year (FY 2017)

Peak Year (FY 2000)

820,000ton

50％reduction！！

410,000ton

Through this waste reduction, Kyoto was able to additionally reduce the number of waste incineration
plants from five to three as well as mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by 45% and annual costs by¥15.4 billion respectively.
<Leading Initiatives>○ Waste Composition Analysis
For nearly 40 years since fiscal 1980, Kyoto has been studying thecomposition of waste in cooperation with Kyoto University, utilizing thecity’s strength as a “City of Universities and Students”. The results ofsurveys are used in planning and developing proposals for waste
reduction measures and raising the awareness of residents andbusinesses.
○ Formulation of the “New Kyoto City Plan for Reducing Waste by Half”
In addition to its major targets for reducing the volume of waste to less than half (FY 2020:
390,000 tons) from the peak year (FY 2000: 820,000 tons), Kyoto City is the first municipality in thenation to set numerical targets to reduce food loss and drive forward initiatives under two pillars:
separation and recycling and the promotion of the 2 Rs, reduce and reuse.
○ Gion Festival Zero-Waste Project
Since 2014, reusable dishes have been introduced in stalls at the Gion Festival, which is registered4

as an Intangible Cultural Heritage with UNESCO. With the collection of dishes and separation of waste,
Kyoto City has achieved waste reduction of 25% compared to the amount of waste generated before
the implementation of this project.
○ Incorporation of Biomass Polyethylene into Garbage Bags
Kyoto is the first code-designated city in the nation to work on reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and improving the environmental awareness of all residents by incorporating biomass
polyethylene produced from the non-edible parts of sugar cane into all chargeable household waste
bags.
【Promotion of “Pedestrian-Friendly City Kyoto” 】<Proportion of People Visiting Kyoto by Car>
Most Recent Year (2017)

Base Year (1994)

41.7 %<Automobile Allotment Rate>

8.7 %Reduced to 1/5！

Most Recent Year (FY 2017)

Base Year (FY 2000)

28.3 %

Reduced to 4/5！！

22.6 %<Leading Initiatives>○ Sidewalk Expansion Project on Shijo Street
On Shijo Street, the main street in Kyoto City, space has
been secured where everyone can safely, securely andcomfortably walk by way of initiatives such as reducing thenumber of vehicle lanes from four to two and, at maximum,
doubling the width of sidewalks. As a result, the number ofpedestrians per day has increased by about 10% and thevolume of traffic has decreased by about 40%.
(3) Developments in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As of FY 2010, we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 15% from the level in 1990.
However, the CO2 emission factor for electricity, which accounts for more than half of greenhouse gas
emissions, rose due to a significant increase in the use of thermal power since the Great East Japan
Earthquake in March 2011. This has resulted in a sharp increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
However, due to initiatives in energy power saving by residents and businesses, total energy
consumption is 27.2% lower than figures at peak times (FY 1997) and 22.1% lower than the base year
(FY 1990). Greenhouse gas emissions have decreased 3.9% from the base year (FY 1990) and in recent
years, has been on a downward trend due to additional energy and power saving efforts.
<Greenhouse Gas Emissions>Base Year (FY 1990)

7.83 million tons

Most Recent Year (FY 2016)

3.9% reduction！！！ 7.52 million tons

5General Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the Municipality
Rapid Increase due to Reduction in the Great East
Japan Earthquake’s CO2 Emission Coefficients

Base Year

Target Year

Municipal Energy Consumption

Steady reduction following COP3

Peak Year

TargetYear

3 “Where do we want to go?” and “How do we get there?”(1) Kyoto City on the “Road to Zero Project”
Kyoto is aiming to achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets set forth in the code, such as thefollowing: (1) reduction over the long term by at least 80% from levels in 1990 and (2) 40% below
those levels by 2030, and is the first local government in Japan to formulate the “Road to Zero Project”,
a strategy stipulating the net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. In the future, Kyoto will pursue its plans
and continue its progress towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by transforming lifestyles,
work-styles and urban infrastructure.

Project Ⅲ

Long-term
futureMeasures with sights set
on the long term future

Net-Zero
Greenhouse
Gas Emissions

Measures with sights set on the
mid-term future

Present

Project Ⅱ
Project Ⅰ
Measures for steady implementation inorder to achieve FY2020 reduction targets

6

Paris Agreement Targets
Anthropogenic emissions –Net-zero・Nurturing Eco-friendliness・Transforming Lifestyles and Social Systems
・Innovation

(2) To “Cultivate a Culture of Sustainable Cities” in Collaboration with Cities and Local Governments
Around the WorldIn December 2017, Kyoto City organized the “Kyoto Conference on the Global Environment 2017
(KYOTO+20)” to commemorate the 20 years since the birth of the Kyoto Protocol, where the “Kyoto
Declaration for Cultivating a Culture of Sustainable Cities” was announced, illustrating the obligationsof cities–including Paris–that are a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions. In the coming
years, we will take concrete measures towards decarbonization in Kyoto based on the philosophy of
the Kyoto Protocol. These measures include coexistence with nature, transition to values and lifestyles
through the reconstruction of daily life and culture, finding balance between reducing environmental
impacts and convenience through the development of advanced urban transportation systems, anddeveloping leaders who can create innovation while building sustainable societies which include
scientific technologies and urban management that can contribute to decarbonization. In addition, we
will disseminate this information globally and lead the promotion of global warming countermeasuresthrough city-to-city collaboration, including sharing of policies and success stories in cities around theworld.

“Road to Zero Project”
ProjectⅠ
Measures for steady implementation in order to achieve FY2020 reduction targets.
○Steadily implement measures listed in the current Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures
ProjectⅡ
Measures to pursue in the present with sights set on the mid-term future.
○Environmental education and public awareness in order to learn about global environmental issues
such as global warming, to more deeply understand the rich natural environment, history and cultureof Kyoto City, and to think about these problems as something that applies both to ourselves and to
those around us○Creation and promotion of superior, environmentally-friendly products and services as well as
environment- and energy-related industries.
ProjectⅢ
Measures aimed at a societal shift away from the use of fossil fuels with sights set on the long term
future.
○Measures to be immediately considered in order to create a sustainable society, integrating both the
supply and demand of energy and the aspects of material-cycle and natural symbiosis societies by
fundamentally changing the way we live and work.
○Research and development on energy conservation and energy creation technologies that are
essential for these changes

7

As indicated by the “Road to Zero Project”, Kyoto City is leading the world in building acarbon-neutral, sustainable city by establishing support systems, transforming lifestyles, work styles,
and urban infrastructure, as well as encouraging technological development.

8

Kyoto Declaration
for Cultivating a Culture of Sustainable Cities

1. The significance of the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement
The Kyoto Protocol is a momentous accord in the history of humankind, established for the purposeof passing on a healthy and productive global environment to future generations. Adopted in
December 1997, it represents the cornerstone of a post-Cold War, new world order full of hope,that addresses global security and peaceful prosperity through multilateral cooperation. Citizens
played a significant role in fostering momentum toward this international agreement, and Kyoto’s
unique urban environment and local culture that have coexisted with nature for more than 1,000
years contributed to the consensus building.
In December 2015, the Kyoto Protocol made a significant leap forward to the Paris Agreement,
making climate change a matter for people all over the world and committing nations to achievecarbon neutrality in the second half of this century.
To encourage the adoption of the Paris Agreement, leaders of cities and regions around the globe
gathered at Paris City Hall and pledged to strengthen their climate actions alongside with nations,which led to the unanimous endorsement of the Paris City Hall Declaration.
2. The state of cities around the world
Cities today account for only 2% of the planet’s land area, but are home to about half the world’s
population. They account for 60-80% of global energy consumption and three quarters of carbon
emissions. With further urbanization, projections indicate that people living in urban areas willaccount for two thirds of the world’s population by 2050.
As can be seen in the ever-growing megacities in Asia, for instance, where environmental pollution,
traffic problems, poverty and disparity are often considered more urgent issues than global
warming, cities face different policy issues depending on characteristics such as their size and stageof economic development. Therefore, priorities given to global warming can vary from city to city.
However, urban activity is a major cause of global warming, and cities are suffering enormously
from its consequences, such as sea level rise and frequent disasters caused by extreme weather.
Furthermore, in today’s world where signs of national particularism can be observed and can posechallenges in cooperation among states, collaboration between cities is becoming ever more
important.

93. Our commitment towards a culture of sustainable cities
Taking into account the Paris Agreement and the Paris City Hall Declaration, we believe that cities
play an important role in cultivating a culture of sustainable cities that is in balance with theenvironment to achieve carbon neutrality in the second half of this century. To achieve this, werecognize that cities need to realize the “Vision for cities of the world in 2050” by strengthening
cooperation with one another and performing their fullest potential. We believe that in today’s
world, it is our duty to make this commitment.
To this end, we believe that rather than merely leaving it to nations and market principles, cities,
which are directly involved in the lives of its citizens and governed by their proactive participation,
have the vital role of leading the way by appropriately delivering authority and financial resources.
We recognize that it is essential that cities strengthen city-to-city collaboration and also build
mechanisms capable of resolving various problems, through the sharing of goals and thedissemination of policies, best practice and know-how.
Vision for cities of the world in 2050


Coexistence with nature is realized, acknowledging its function as a source of lifeand carbon sink.

Change in people’s values and lifestyle is advanced, by revisiting the culture ofdaily life that admires the mindful and wise use of goods based on the spirit of“mottainai” (regretting wastefulness) and “shimatsu” (being frugal; making fulluse of things).

Leaders for building a sustainable society are nurtured through promotion ofenvironmental education and learning. The leaders are able to perceive various
problems as their own and act proactively.

Strategies for adapting to the impacts of climate change are in place, in parallelwith technological innovation for decarbonization.



Resource-efficient and circular economy is realized, for example by utilizing urban
mines, recovering useful metals and other resources contained in waste.

Energy autonomy of cities is realized, through the promotion of energy savingsand the use of renewable energy.

Urban mobility with low environmental impact is achieved through advancementof urban transport systems.



Peaceful resolution of social problems, such as poverty and disparity, is welladvanced, through efforts to shift to a sustainable society.

We declare that we will implement efforts according to our respective positions and encourage
cities around the world to join us in cultivating a culture of sustainable cities that is in balance withthe local and global environment.
December 10, 2017
City of Kyoto
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN)ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Japan Office
Kyoto Environmental Activities Association (KEAA)
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