Foreword

The Great East Japan Earthquake and the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
occurred last year have stimulated national debate about the safety of nuclear power, and we are about
to reach a major turning point in terms of the swift resolution of the electricity shortage in Japan and a
new medium- to long-term energy policy. In particular, with a view to achieving a new best energy mix,
the Energy and Environment Council has been conducting various deliberations concerning the shareof output for which nuclear power accounts and the level of measures in relation to renewable energy
and energy conservation, and the Innovative Strategy for Energy and the Environment was formulated
in September this year. The outlook presented by Japan to the rest of the world in regard to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions is also grim. Amid this situation, the initiatives to reduce emissions ofgreenhouse gases that the Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC) has conducted to date can besaid to be increasingly important.
At the same time, administrative reforms in which nothing is sacred are being carried out in Osaka
City as part of Mayor Hashimoto’s ‘great reset’. With reforms of extra-governmental organisations
also part of this endeavour, rigorous reviews are being carried out and GEC is no exception to this.
Having been established to demonstrate a commitment to the international community when the UNEPInternational Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) was first invited to Osaka, GEC leased facilities
and provided support for the activities of the IETC on behalf of the Osaka municipal government, but asa result of the revised approach adopted by Osaka City of late, the municipality has embarked on a policyof providing direct support. One can say that GEC truly is facing its greatest test to date. Having said
which, it is not the case that all operations are subject to direct support, so given GEC’s achievements
and experience in supporting IETC to date, we are aiming to further strengthen the collaboration
between Osaka City and GEC, establishing a system in which we can implement effective support basedon a clear division of roles that makes good use of the unique attributes of both parties. The details
will be settled in due course, but in the meantime, GEC must move forward with improvements in its
management environment, which is becoming increasingly demanding, and each and every member ofstaff must think about the situation seriously and demonstrate complete solidarity in their actions.
It is amid such major changes in both Osaka City and Japan as a whole that GEC has reached themilestone of the 20th anniversary of its establishment. Accordingly, it is necessary for us to go backto our starting point at the time of our establishment, and to demonstrate at the most fundamental
level how GEC can contribute to global environmental conservation and improving the environment indeveloping countries, as well as showing what advantages its initiatives can generate for the citizens andcompanies of the Osaka City area. We would like to demonstrate GEC’s contribution to society throughsuch specific projects as reducing emissions in developing countries, providing environmental training
for developing countries, and promoting the overseas deployment of the water and environmental
technologies of companies in the Osaka area.
There is a mountain of challenges to be tackled. Accordingly, all of us at GEC - staff and executives
alike - intend to work together and do our utmost to overcome these difficulties, so we would greatly
appreciate your continued support and understanding for GEC’s future activities.
October 2012

MIYAHARA, Hideo
President
Global Environment Centre Foundation

GEC 2011

1

Support for UNEP/IETC’s Activities and Other International Cooperation Activities

Supporting UNEP/IETC’s Activities on Waste Management

ESTs
Environmentally Sound
Technologies, as definedin Agenda 21, should
protect the environment,
are less contaminative,use various resources in amore sustainable manner,recycle more of their wastes
and products and handle
residual waste in a more
acceptable manner than thetechnologies for which they
were substitutes.
Regional Workshop on
WEEE/E-waste Management
on Take-Back System
The workshop’s presentationmaterials are available on
IETC’s website.

Organising WEEE/E-waste Management Workshop on Take-Back System
IETC is engaged in the management of WEEE/E-waste
as one of the priority fields for its activities on waste
management; to date, it has held workshops, compiled
manuals, and implemented a pilot project in relation
to this topic. At the workshop held in Osaka in July
2010, participants from developing countries expressedconsiderable interest in the development of policy
frameworks for the WEEE/E-waste take-back systemand funding mechanisms for sustaining such a system.

WEEE/E-waste Management on Take-Back
System Workshop

Accordingly, IETC drafted a manual on the WEEE/
E-waste take-back system and held a workshop to
discuss this draft manual in Osaka on 13-15 July 2011, in
collaboration with GEC.
On 13 and 14 July, training using the draft manualwas provided for government officals from sevencountries in Asia and Africa, and a dialogue session

Informal Sector
People involved in collecting
and disposing of waste
products outside the public
service sector.

took place with electronic device manufacturers andParticipants in the workshop

researchers who were participating as observers. In the discussion, opinions were exchanged
concerning such matters as the fact that there are various options in terms of WEEE/E-waste
collection methods and operators, the question of at what point in the product life-cycle thecost of collecting and disposing of it should be imposed and on whom, the question of who
should bear responsibility for the collection and disposal of imported second-hand goods, andwhat approach should be taken to the relationship with the informal sector*, which is heavily
involved in the collection and disposal of WEEE/E-waste in developing countries. In relation
to WEEE/E-waste management and collection, participants acknowledged that it was difficult
to apply a single country’s systems and processes to another country without modification,agreeing that it is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the systems
and processes used in various countries, and introduce systems and processes tailored to thesociety in each individual country.
On 15 July, with additional participation by experts from Japanese home appliancemanufacturers, trading companies, universities, research institutes and internationalorganisations, an introduction was provided to a diverse range of initiatives on the collection
and recycling of WEEE/E-waste.
In response to the discussions during the workshop, as well as revising the draft manual on
WEEE/E-waste take-back system, IETC is considering to implement a take-back system pilot
project and to hold a workshop on the participation of and collaboration with the private sector
in relation to WEEE/E-waste management.

Support for Seminar on ‘Management of Debris Created by the Tohoku Tsunami’International Experience Sharing
At the request of the Japanese government, to mark the passing of a year since the Great
East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011, UNEP dispatched a mission by international
experts between 27 February and 1 March 2012, in order to share international experienceand knowledge on the management of disaster debris with officials from local governmentsin the disaster-afflicted areas. The team of international experts visited disaster-afflicted areasin Tohoku where, as well as meeting officials from local governments, they visited facilities forstorage and recycling of debris, and shared experience and knowledge with those involved indealing with the debris.
2

GEC 2011

With the objective of enabling experts with abundant
experience in dealing with disaster debris in various partsof the world and those involved in disaster prevention
and waste management in Japan to share knowledge
and experience concerning the management of disasterdebris, IETC took the opportunity of this visit to Japan byinternational experts on management of disaster debris
to hold the Seminar on ‘Management of Debris Createdby the Tohoku Tsunami’ International Experience Sharing

Seminar on ‘Management of Debris Createdby the Tohoku Tsunami’in Osaka on 6 March, and GEC provided organisational support for this. Approximately 50
participants from international organisations with offices in Japan, local governemnts, research
institutes and the private sector attended the seminar, at which the international experts
dispatched by UNEP presented key findings of their visit to Tohoku and exchanged opinionswith the other participants.
UNEP is planning to leverage the information shared, such as responses to the Great East
Japan Earthquake by Japanese authorities and communities, as well as experiences and lessons
from the disaster, in order to enable other countries to improve preparedness and post-disastermanagement for dealing with waste and debris generated by natural disasters in the future.

Promoting & Applying the Eco-Town* Concept in the Asia-Pacific Region
Since 2004, IETC has been implementing initiatives
focused on promoting and applying the eco-town
concept in the Asia-Pacific region, with the objective of
encouraging sustainable industrial development, as wellas promoting the 3Rs and integrated waste management
in developing countries where economy is rapidly
developing. As part of its support for IETC, GEC has been
engaged in activities such as disseminating to developing

Penang Eco-Town Workshop

countries information on recycling technologies andsystems in Japanese eco-towns, and since FY2009, it
has been implementing the Eco-Town Environmental
Technology Database Development Project for Building
Resource Recycling-oriented Societies in Developing
Countries, which is funded by the Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Environment Fund.
In FY2009, recycling technology needs surveys were

Bandung Eco-Town Workshop

conducted in Penang, Malaysia and Bandung, Indonesia, the pilot cities of IETC’s project, andin FY2010, surveys were carried out among companies and local governments in Japanese
eco-towns with recycling technologies that met those needs. In FY2011, based on the resultsof those surveys, the Eco-town Environmental Technology Database was compiled andpublished as new content in NETT21, the GEC Environmental Technology Database. As well as
information on recycling technologies, the newly-compiled database contained information on

Eco-Town
In Japan, the term ‘ecotown’ refers to regions
approved by the Ministry of
Economy, Trade & Industry(METI) and the Ministry of
the Environment (MOE)
where local governments
are undertaking projects
that leverage the region’s
attributes to reduce waste
and promote recycling, andthat utilize local industry
clusters to foster green
industries. Overseas,
however, ‘eco-town’ isused in a broader context
to denote regions seeking
to achieve environmentallyfriendly socio-economic
development.
Eco-town Environmental
Technology Database
Plesae refer to NETT21 on
GEC website.
Penang Eco-town
Workshop and theBandung Eco-town
Workshop
The workshop’s presentationmaterials are available on
GEC & IETC’s website.

recycling promotion initiatives by private companies and local governments, Japanese laws on
the promotion of recycling, and support systems of local government to promote recycling.

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F[dWd]In addition, taking the opportunity of the database compilation, GEC held eco-town

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workshops in Penang on 7 December and in Bandung on 9 December 2011, with the objectiveH^c\VedgZof facilitating the sharing of information and experiences of governments, the private sector
and NGOs, in order to assist in the development and implementation of eco-towns in Malaysia
and Indonesia.

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8WdZkd]GEC 2011

3

Support for UNEP/IETC’s Activities and Other International Cooperation Activities

The Penang Eco-town Workshop was organised by GEC, the Penang State Government,
the Penang Island Municipal Council, the Seberang Perai Municipal Council, and the Penang
Institute, with IETC as the co-organiser. 140 participants from local governments, the private
sector, communities, NGOs and educational institutions attended in the workshop, whichfeatured presentations on the activities and initiatives of various stakeholders, aimed atpromoting recycling and developing a resource recycling-oriented society. The Japaneseparticipants introduced initiatives being undertaken by Kawasaki City, JETRO, Panasonic
Environmental Systems & Engineering Co., Ltd., Canon Inc., and Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and local
participants expressed considerable interest in these.
At the Bandung Eco-town Workshop, which was organised by GEC and the Bandung City
Government and attracted 30 participants from local governments, NGOs and educational
institutions, information was shared on the progress of initiatives following the Eco-town
Workshop held by GEC on 21 September 2010, with a primary focus on local activities topromote recycling and the environmental education.
Participation in the 8th Asia-Pacific Eco-Business ForumGEC participated in the 8th Asia-Pacific Eco-Business
Forum, which was held at the Institute of Industrial
Promotion Kawasaki in Kawasaki City on 8 and 9
February 2012. As well as sharing information about
overseas examples of eco-town initiatives, this forum
included sessions concerning such matters as smart
cities, issues relating to the green economy toward
Rio+20, the overseas promotion of venous industry, and

8th Asia-Pacific Eco-Business Forumlegislation and technology needs related to water pollution in Asia. In addition to introducing
the Eco-town Environmental Technology Database that was compiled and published thisyear, GEC gave a presentation on examples of collaborative mechanisms involving local
governements, the private sector, academia and local residents in Japanese eco-towns, as well
as review and suggestion to the dissemination of information on Japanese eco-towns. Fiveparticipants from Penang, Malaysia and four from Bandung, Indonesia attended the forum andgave presentations on initiatives by local governments, NGOs and private companies aimed
at promoting the development of eco-towns in their respective cities, as well as exchanging
information and interacting with other participants.
Promoting the Dissemination of Information on ESTs
With the objective of promoting the application and transfer of environmental technologies
in developing countries, GEC developed the Database on ‘New Environmental Technology
Transfer in the 21st Century’ (NETT21) in 1996 and disseminates information via the GEC
website. In FY2011, as well as publishing new content in the form of information on waste
recycling technologies adopted in eco-towns in Japan, the initiatives of the private sector andlocal governments for promoting waste recycling in Japan, and laws and support systems
for promoting waste recycling in Japan, funded by the Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Environment Fund,GEC also added new information on technologies for resource/energy recovery from sewage
sludge, which were developed and evaluated under the Sewerage Technology Development
Project Committee attached to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Moreover, the existing content is being progressively updated. Via the GEC website, we
receive many enquiries from overseas on Japanese environmental technologies, and we are
striving to disseminate information on Japanese environmental technologies by responding tothese.
4

GEC 2011

The Number of Data Listings for Each Topic:• Air Pollution Control Technology in Japan: 133• Waste Management Technology in Japan: 41• Water Pollution Control Technology in Japan: 76• On-Site Green Technique (OGT) in Japan: 83• Air Pollution Continuous Monitoring Technology in Japan: 83• Water Pollution Continuous Monitoring Technology in Japan: 53• Cleaner Production Technology in Japan: 235• Waste Recycling Technologies and Recycling Promotion Initiatives in Eco-towns inJapan: 38• Technologies for Resource/Energy Recovery from Sewage Sludge: 7• Energy-Saving Technology at Business-Related Buildings: 69• Soil and Groundwater Contamination Survey and Countermeasure Technologies: 37• Japanese Advanced Environmental Equipment (provided by JSIM): 621
Total: 1,476 data listings as of 1 May 2012

NETT21

Surveys on Waste Management
In order to support the activities of IETC in the field of waste management, GEC has carriedout surveys on waste and climate change, and WEEE/E-waste (surveys outsourced to Ursin
Co., Ltd.). The survey results were provided to IETC.
[Content of the Survey on Waste and Climate Change]• Formulation of draft guidelines for the introduction of Waste to Energy (recovery of energy
from waste through the incineration of waste or RDF*)• Overview of semi-aerobic landfill and summary of the effects for reduction of greenhousegas emissions• Compiling and summarising examples of greenhouse gas reduction through 2R (reduce andreuse) activities and waste-related CDM projects both within Japan and overseas

RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel)
Solid fuel created fromcombustible refuse, such as
kitchen refuse and plastic
waste[Content of the Survey on WEEE/E-waste]• Compiling and summarising information on WEEE/E-waste collection and recycling in Japan,etc.

International Cooperation in Developing Countries
Project on Support for Building a Community-Based Recycle-Oriented System in Viet

Ha Long Bay Location

Nam’s Ha Long Bay Area

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Ha Long Bay is situated in the northwest of the Gulf

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of Tonkin to the north of Viet Nam. One of the world’s
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most visually stunning locations, it was designated as a
UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 but measures are

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now required to address the recent increase in pollution.
The ‘Project on Support for Building a CommunityBased Recycle-Oriented System in Viet Nam’s Ha Long
Bay Area’ is a JICA grass-roots technical cooperation

Ha Long Bay

project being implemented by GEC in collaboration with Osaka Prefecture University for 3
years from October 2009 to September 2012. The project’s activities aim to reduce the loadof emissions into Ha Long Bay from floating communities and tour boats, and are carriedout with the cooperation of local counterparts Ha Long Bay Management Department, theWomen’s Union and the Youth Union.

A floating community in HaLong BayGEC 2011

5

Support for UNEP/IETC’s Activities and Other International Cooperation Activities

FY2011 Activities

Environmental education
textbook (for primary school
students)

6

GEC 2011

Main Activities

Content

Mangrove planting

Mangrove planting was carried out in August 2011
with participation by local residents, among others,in order to promote exchange between members of
the younger generation from Japan and Vietnam,
as well as to increase awareness on environmental
protection at Ha Long Bay. A total of 76 people
took part - 16 participants from Japan, including a
GEC staff member, and lecturers and students fromPlanting mangroves
Osaka Prefecture University and Sakai High School,
and 60 from Vietnam, including members of the Youth Union, local university students, andelementary school students from floating communities and their parents - and planted 5,000
mangrove seedlings on islands in Ha Long Bay. The planting activities were carried out using
environmental donations provided to GEC under the home appliance and housing eco-points
systems.

Waste Reduction

As well as constructing a compost yard in one floating
community, to enable organic wastes to be turned
into compost, demonstrations of transporting waste
generated by the floating communities to the mainland
were carried out, such as transporting coal briquetteash to a cement plant. Moreover, in order to ensurethat waste separation becomes firmly established,
waste sorting bins were distributed to the households
A compost yard built at a floatingof one floating community and a seminar was held forcommunity
local residents. At the same time, an environmental
seminar was held for the operators of tour boats, with a view to promoting the on-shore preprocessing of the food to be cooked on board the boats, in order to reduce the volume ofkitchen refuse and wastewater generated by such boats.

Reduction of pollutant
load in wastewater

As a result of training community leaders andimplementing seminars for local residents, in order topromote a reduction in the quantity of detergent use
by using acrylic scrubbing pads to wash the dishes
and encourage appropriate use of laundry detergent,
activities to deal with wastewater from floating
communities began to be carried out at all four
such communities. Moreover, GEC held a residents
Demonstration of the use of
exchange event on environmental protection among
acrylic scrubbing pads during
the four floating communities, with the objective ofa seminar for local residents
ensuring that the activities become firmly establishedthroughout the floating communities, by promoting interaction between the residents ineach floating community and exchanging and sharing information concerning activities topopularise the activities.

Environmental education

In order to ensure that environmental education
continues to be carried out at floating primary schools,
with a view to increasing environmental awarenessamong the residents of the floating communities, anenvironmental education textbook was compiled forprimary school children with a companion volume
for their teachers, concerning the importanceof environmental protection, simple methods ofModel lesson at a floating primarymeasuring water quality, and wastewater measuresschoolthat they can implement themselves, and carried out
model lessons at all four floating primary schools, as well as holding briefing sessions forthe teachers. The environmental education textbook* has been approved by the Quang Ninh
Provincial Department of Education as an official textbook.

Main Activities

Content

Environmental leadershiptraining

Between 31 October and 11 November 2011, theEnvironmental Leadership Training course was held
in Osaka and Shiga, with the objective of promoting
locally organised environmental activities. A total offour participants were invited from the counterpart
organisations involved in the projects in Ha Long Bay,namely the Ha Long Bay Management Department,
the Women’s Union and the Youth Union. Through the
Education & Training of
programme of lectures and site visits, the participants
environmental activity leaderslearnt about environmental protection initiatives(Japan)undertaken by Japanese local authorities and privatecompanies, as well as examples of environmental activities undertaken with participation of
local residents, or on the basis of collaboration and partnership among local governments,
private companies and residents.
Osaka Water &Environment Solutions
Association
The Osaka Water &Seminar on Integrated Solid Waste Management in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:
Activities to Support the 3Rs
Following the conclusion in July 2011 of the agreement
entitled ‘Key Areas in Cooperation Between the People’s
Committee of Ho Chi Minh City (the Socialist Republicof Vietnam) and the Osaka City Government (Japan)’,in response to a request from the Osaka municipal
government, GEC provides support for the building ofcooperative relationships between the two cities in thefield of waste and the 3Rs, while seeking collaboration

Waste management seminarwith relevant organisations, such as the Osaka Water & Environment Solutions Association(OWESA)*.
In FY2011, as well as conducting a field survey in November 2011, GEC held the Seminar on
Integrated Solid Waste Management in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) on 16 February 2012 in HCMC.
(Co-hosted with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) of HCMC andOWESA. Cooperation was also received from the Osaka municipal government and IETC.)
In addition to discussions about future approaches to cooperation between Osaka City and
HCMC in the field of waste and the 3Rs, this seminar featured presentations by Osaka-based
companies providing introductions to intermediate processing technologies that could contributeto resolving the issue of waste in HCMC. Moreover, the seminar resulted in the direction ofcooperation in the field of waste and the 3Rs proposed by Osaka City (i. support for the formulationof policy on waste management and the 3Rs by HCMC; ii. cultivation of personnel dealing with
waste management and the 3Rs in the HCMC municipal government; and iii. dispatch of a group
to conduct a basic survey concerning waste and 3Rs technology) being compiled as the
Co-Chairs’ Summary, which was signed by the Osaka City Environment Bureau and DONRE.
On 17 February 2012, a tour of waste disposal facilities (landfill site, compost facility, andmedical waste disposal facility) was conducted for Osaka-based companies, to enable them toacquire a more profound understanding of the current status of waste disposal in HCMC, aswell as exchanging opinions and information with engineers at local waste disposal plants.
In response to the Co-Chairs’ Summary, GEC will continue to collaborate with bodies
including Osaka City, Osaka-based environmental plant manufacturers, and DONRE in HCMC,
in order to resolve the problem of waste in HCMC and support efforts to promote the 3Rs,
as well as contributing to the overseas transfer of waste management technologies from the
Osaka and Kansai areas.

Environment Solutions
Association (OWESA)(Secretariat: Urban
Infrastructure Technology
Centre Foundation), whose
membership consistsof relevant bureaus andeconomic organisations,
was established in Osaka
City in April 2011, in order
to contribute to regional
revitalisation by supporting
the overseas expansion of
Osaka- and Kansai-based
companies and to theresolution of overseas waterand environmental problems
through public-private
partnerships. OWESA’s main
activities are focused on(i) the overseas promotionof water and environmental
technology; (ii) support
for the formation andcommercialisation ofoverseas deployment
projects for water andenvironmental technology;
and (iii) support for theoutsourcing of projects
based on public-private
partnerships.
As one of the groups
involved, GEC is cooperatingin the overseas expansion of
Osaka- and Kansai-based
companies in the field of waste
in particular, while making useof its achievements to date in
the field of international
environmental cooperationand its network of connections
with international organisations
such as UNEP.

GEC 2011

7

Surveys Concerning Global Environmental Problems

Contribution to Measures for the Mitigation of Climate Change

United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC)
Also called the Climate
Change Framework
Convention. The ultimate
objective of this Convention
is to achieve the stabilisationof greenhouse gas
concentrations in theatmosphere at a level thatwould prevent dangerous
anthropogenic interferencewith the climate system.
It imposes various obligations
on the contracting parties,
such as the compilation ofgreenhouse gas emission
and absorption inventories
and the formulation andimplementation of national
plans for global warming
countermeasures.
CDM (Clean Development
Mechanism)
When a developed
country (investor country)
provides funds andtechnical assistance for the
implementation of a project
which leads to a reduction ingreenhouse gas emissions ina developing country (hostcountry), credits (CER) are
issued for the amount of
reduced emissions.
A developed country canthen use these credits toachieve its own emission
reduction target.
JI (Joint Implementation)
Joint Implementation is asystem whereby developed
nations cooperate toimplement projects to reducegreenhouse gases, with one
developed nation (the hostnation) issuing credits called
Emission Reduction Units(ERUs) after converting acorresponding amount of
Assigned Amount Units(AAUs), and the otherdeveloped nation (investor
nation) able to use those
ERUs to achieve their own
emission reduction targets.

In the late 1980s, a number of countries began international negotiations aimed at dealing withthe problem of global warming, which requires a response on a global scale. Many countries
participated in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)*,
which was drawn up at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development(Earth Summit) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992, and the Kyoto Protocol, which stipulated
GHG reduction targets for developed countries, was adopted at the Third Conference ofParties to the UNFCCC (COP3), which took place in Kyoto in 1997. Moreover, the Kyoto
Protocol also prescribed flexibility mechanisms, called the Kyoto Mechanisms, as mechanisms
for supporting the achievement of those reduction targets by developed countries. These
Kyoto Mechanisms consist of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)*, which involves
cooperation between developed and developing countries, Joint Implementation (JI)*, which
involves cooperation among developed countries, and the trading of emission quotas andcarbon credits among developed countries (international emissions trading).
The Kyoto Protocol stipulates the reduction targets to be achieved during the firstcommitment period (2008-2012), and discussions began in 2005 concerning such mattersas the reduction targets for the period from 2013. Against the background of a lack ofparticipation in the Kyoto Protocol by the USA, which was the world’s largest emitter of GHGs
at the time, and an increase in GHG emissions from China, India and Brazil, the contracting
parties began deliberations concerning long-term cooperative actions. However, due to
conflicts between the interests of the various countries involved in negotiations, the specificinternational regime to be implemented from 2013 has not yet been clearly determined. In thisprocess, Japan has announced that it shall not be obliged to implement reductions during thesecond commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, and is arguing in favor of the constructionof a new international framework to replace the Kyoto Protocol, under which obligations would
be imposed fairly on all major emitting countries.
With regard to negotiations concerning the future framework for 2013 and beyond, at
COP17/CMP7* in 2011, the so-called ‘Durban Package’ was adopted, which contained thedecision that the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol would begin in 2013, as
well as the decision to begin negotiations concerning a new legal framework to enter into
force in 2020 and adopt this at COP by 2015, so developments in future negotiations will be
the focus of attention.
Since FY1999, GEC has been commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment to conduct
the CDM/JI Feasibility Study Programme, which involves conducting feasibility studies ofprojects undertaken based on the CDM and JI flexibility mechanisms (Kyoto Mechanisms)prescribed in the Kyoto Protocol. As the secretariat for these CDM/JI Feasibility Studies, GEC
has endeavoured to expand the range of businesses within Japan that are participating in theuse of market mechanisms relating to global warming countermeasures, by disseminating
information that contributes to the discovery of promising CDM/JI projects and information
concerning complex CDM/JI systems, procedures and regulations, and conducting information
dissemination and educational activities within Japan, as well as managing the progress of
CDM/JI Feasibility Studies (FS) conducted by private sector operators, among others.
However, in the project-based CDM/JI system, there have been many cases in which largescale projects (projects that involve large reductions in GHG emissions) were exhausted in theearly stages, and it is not possible to ensure the profitability of private sector investment withcomparatively small-scale projects. Moreover, particularly in the case of CDM, projects are
implemented in developing countries which have no GHG reduction targets, and the system
requires that the difference between the likely emissions situation in the absence of thisproject (the baseline) and the volume of emissions after implementing the project be used asa credit to enable developed countries to achieve their reduction targets; accordingly, project
operators are required to prove that this reduction would not have taken place without CDM

8

GEC 2011

(in other words, if there had been no additional benefit resulting from the GHG reduction credit(certified emission reduction, or CER) due to CDM). This approach is based on the conceptof ‘additionality’, in which credits are only given for reduction effects that are ‘additional’ tothose that would have been achieved in the absence of CDM. Those implementing CDM
projects are required to prove this additionality and the system incorporates a process thatinvolves multiple checks of the appropriateness thereof, which is an obstacle to CDM project
implementation.
These Kyoto Mechanisms, which make it possible to create credits and resell them to theplaces that need them, are meant to be incentives to attract private sector investment, butthere are many cases in which, in addition to the fact that the process takes a long time to

COP (Conference of theParties to the UNFCCC)
The supreme decisionmaking body of the UNFCCC.
Held annually.
CMP (Conference of theParties serving as themeeting of the Parties tothe Kyoto Protocol)
The supreme decisionmaking body of the Kyoto
Protocol. Held annually.

reach the project implementation stage, the aforementioned proof of additionality became aburden or the methodology for proving additionality was not approved, so the project ended
up not being implemented. Furthermore, as these are private-sector-led projects, the project
owners in the host country (a developing country) are required to curb the initial investment
and, as a consequence, items such as Japanese-made technology and equipment, which
perform well but are expensive, are rarely used.
The Japanese government has argued that Japan is contributing to worldwide GHG
reductions with its advanced technological capacity, but that because there are many things thatcannot be implemented as CDM, it is not receiving credits, so it is not being appraised properlyon the international stage. Accordingly, it has advocated the construction of a new mechanismthat would enable Japan’s contribution to the world to be evaluated properly. This was formally
proposed to the UNFCCC in the form of the ‘Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism (BOCM)’.
In response, among the CDM/JI Feasibility Studies (project commissioned by the Ministry of
the Environment) in FY2010, GEC conducted three ‘New Mechanism Feasibility Studies’ on a
trial basis, as specific case studies to contribute to the construction of the BOCM system. The
number of studies carried out increased to 29 in FY2011.

New Mechanism Feasibility Studies
In FY2011, having been commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment, GEC put out apublic call for New Mechanism Feasibility Studies (FS), selected them, managed their progress,
and published their results. It was anticipated that these New Mechanism FS would detail theoutcomes of studies that would contribute to the design of the institutional arrangements for
the Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism (BOCM) proposed by the Japanese government.
On 28 April 2011, GEC began publicly soliciting proposals for studies, and had received
77 proposals by the time of the deadline for submissions on 26 May. After GEC subsequently
carried out document- and interview-based screening, followed by a review by a support
committee consisting of experts in the flexibility mechanisms, 29 proposals were selected andadopted, and FS were carried out from 15 July by the applicant organisations.
List of 2011 New Flexible Mechanism Feasibility Studies*
Project Category

Title of Feability Studies

Countries

Waste Management

New Mechanism FS for Waste Management Activities

ThailandNew Mechanism FS for Energy Application of Wastes and Wastewater
Originated in Processing of Agricultural Products

Indonesia

New Mechanism FS for Energy Generation by Waste Management Activities,
through Anaerobic Digestion as Model Technology

Malaysia

Biomass Utilisation

New Mechanism FS for Development of Castor Seed Industry Cluster

Sri Lanka

Transportation

New Mechanism FS for Development of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Network

ThailandNew Mechanism FS for Urban Transport Management

Lao PDR

New Mechanism FS for Development of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Systems

Indonesia,
Viet Nam2011 New Flexible
Mechanism Feasibility
StudiesPlease refer to the GEC
website for further details on
the study reports

GEC 2011

9

Surveys Concerning Global Environmental Problems

List of 2011 New Flexible Mechanism Feasibility Studies*
Project Category

Title of Feability Studies

Countries

Renewable Energy

New Mechanism FS for Renewable Energy Development by Wind Power
Generation in Low Wind Speed Conditions

ThailandNew Mechanism FS for Development of Best Grid Electricity Mix Focusing on
Renewable Energy Sources

Sri Lanka

New Mechanism Feasibility Study for Renewable Energy Development Focusing
on Geothermal Power Generation

Colombia

New Mechanism FS for Energy Saving by Reducing Water Consumptions through
Diffusion of Water-Saving Toilet Systems to Households

China

New Mechanism FS for Energy Efficiency Improvement by Introducing Energy
Management and Control Systems at Factories

China

New Mechanism FS for Multiple Application of Energy Efficiency Improvement
Measures at Coal Thermal Power Plants

Mongolia

New Mechanism FS for Energy Saving at Buildings by Utilising Geothermal Heat
Pump and Other Technologies

Mongolia

New Mechanism FS for Promotion of Energy Efficiency Improvement throughInstitutional Development of Building and Energy Management Systems (BEMS)
with Certificated Carbon Credits

ThailandNew Mechanism FS for Energy Savings by Utilising LED Lights at Office Buildings

India

New Mechanism FS for Energy Efficiency Improvement by Introducing
High-Performance Industrial Furnaces to Aluminium Industry

India

Energy Efficiency
Improvement

New Mechanism FS for Promotion of Energy Efficiency Improvement at
Households through Introduction of Low-CO2 Houses and Diffusion of

MexicoEnergy-Efficient Appliances
New Mechanism FS for Integrated Energy Efficiency Activities at Beer/Beverage
Factories Using Specific Energy Consumption Methods
REDD+
Reduicing emissions fromdeforestation and forest
degradation, and the role ofconservation, sustainable
management of forests,
and enhancement of forest
carbon stocks.

REDD+*

OthersExample of deforestation inIndonesia

South Africa

New Mechanism FS for REDD+

Indonesia

New Mechanism FS for REDD+ and Bio-Fuel Production and Utilisation

Indonesia

New Mechanism FS for Avoidance of Peat Aerobic Degradation by Peatland
Rewetting and Rice Husk-based Power Generation Associated with Rice
Production Increase

Indonesia

New Mechanism FS for REDD+

Cambodia

New Mechanism FS for REDD+ through Revegetation at Denuded Lands andWoody Biomass-based Power Generation

Viet Nam

New Mechanism FS for REDD+

Brazil

New Mechanism FS for REDD+ through Revegetation at Derelict Commercial
Forested Lands and Fuelisation of Woody Biomass Chips for Cement Plants

AngolaNew Mechanism FS for Electric Generation based on Low-Level Coal Mine
Methane and Integrated Energy Efficiency Improvement

China

New Mechanism FS for CO2 Reduction through Utilising Off-Peak Power from
Storage Batteries and Introducing Electric Vehicles
New Mechanism FS for CO2 Abatement through Utilisation of Blast Furnace
Slags as Blending Material for Cement

Thailand
Vietnam

The survey items in the New Mechanism FS included the setting of the reference scenario,
monitoring methods, GHG emissions and the reductions, measurement, reporting andverification (MRV) system for GHG reductions, ensuring environmental integrity, andcontribution to sustainable development in host countries.
The reference scenario is similar to the baseline scenario in CDM, but whereas in CDM
the baseline scenario for a CDM project activity is the scenario that reasonably represents
GHG emissions that would occur in the absence of the proposed project activity, a broader
interpretation can be permitted in the reference scenario in the BOCM. GEC sought study
outcomes to ascertain how the reference scenario should be determined, and how to reflect
the policies and situation in host countries and individual circumstances when doing so.
Moreover, the BOCM did not have established institutional arrangements at the time, so simple
methods for monitoring the parameters required in quantitative evaluation of the emissions
resulting from the projects and activities targeted by the study were also an important focus
10

GEC 2011

of the studies. In the FSs, it is not possible to carry out actual measurements in relation to
proposals that are not yet operational, but the studies were required to show provisional
calculations based on various preconditions and assumptions in a hypothetical situation.
Moreover, in the FSs, the question of how the GHG reduction effect would be measured, how
the results of those measurements would be reported, and how the reported reduction effectwould be verified by a third-party organisation – that is to say, how measurement, reportingand verification would be carried out – was another crucial survey item.

First Consultative Meetingwith the Republic ofIndonesia (Tokyo)

In order to support the implementation of studies by FS entities, taskforces consisting ofexperts in specific technical fields were established under the auspices of GEC, and support
was provided by such means as creating teams for specific fields (waste management,
transport, energy conservation, and REDD+), which held meetings with the organisations
implementing the studies in order to give advice from an expert standpoint regarding suchmatters as study implementation methods.
Moreover, the BOCM depends on bilateral discussions between Japan and the host country,

First Consultative Meetingwith the Kingdom of Thailand(Bangkok)

so GEC held Host Country Consultative meetings in Indonesia, Thailand and Mongolia, withthe objective of promoting understanding of the BOCM among the governments of hostcountries, as well as sharing information concerning the specific content of the projects
envisaged to be implemented via this mechanism. Two Host Country Consultative meetings
were held for each country; in the cases of Indonesia and Mongolia, one meeting was held
locally and participants were invited to Japan (Tokyo) for the other, but the meetings for
Thailand were both held locally. FS entities implementing FS in the country also participatedFirst Consultative Meetingwith Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar)in the Host Country Consultative meeting, providing an introduction to the content of thestudies and their progress status, as well as the results thereof, thereby deepening mutual
understanding and encouraging the building of cooperative relationships between FS entities
and the governments of the host countries.
The FS were completed on 4 March 2012 and FS entities submitted their FS reports. These
FS reports provide a detailed summary of the outcomes of the studies and in light of the factthat one of the objectives of the New Mechanism Feasibility Studies is to build up a stock ofknowledge and experience, not only in Japanese but also in English editions of the reports
were published on the GEC website, in order to disseminate information both within Japanand overseas, thereby conducting outreach focused on cultivating the BOCM.

CDM/JI Feasibility Studies
In the same way as the aforementioned New Mechanism FS, having been commissionedby the Ministry of the Environment, GEC put out a public call for CDM/JI Feasibility Studies(FS), selected them, managed their progress, and published their results. Although these
CDM/JI FS were to focus on studies of projects to be implemented on the basis of CDM and
JI, which were prescribed in the Kyoto Protocol and the institutional arrangements for which
had already been established, when GEC issued a public call for submissions, emphasis wasplaced on the resolution of issues concerning CDM/JI and contributing to further institutional
development in this regard. More specifically, the following types of proposal were solicited: (i)proposals involving the development of new methodologies or the revision of methodologies;(ii) proposals involving the development of standardised baselines; (iii) proposals that would
contribute to remedying the regional distribution of CDM projects; and (iv) proposals that
corresponded to the Programme of Activities (PoA) category of CDM/JI. Of these, (i), (ii) and (iii)
focus on CDM projects alone.
In conjunction with the New Mechanism FS, GEC carried out the public call for submissions
and selection process for CDM/JI FS. On 28 April 2011, GEC began publicly soliciting
proposals for studies from private sector operators within Japan, and had received 12
GEC 2011

11

Surveys Concerning Global Environmental Problems

proposals by the time of the deadline for submissions on 26 May. After GEC subsequently
carried out document- and interview-based screening, followed by a review by a committee
consisting of experts with a profound knowledge of flexibility mechanisms including CDM/JI(the same as the support committee for the New Mechanism FS), the successful proposals
were selected and adopted shown in the list below, and FS were carried out from 15 July by
the applicant organisations. The studies adopted all focused on CDM projects.
2011 CDM/JI Feasibility
StudiesPlease refer to the GEC
website for further details on
the study reports

List of 2011 CDM/JI Feasibility Studies*
Project Category

Title of Feability Studies

Countries

1. New CDM Methodology Development
Energy Efficiency

CDM FS for Energy Efficiency Project through Installing High Efficiency Air
Conditioners, with New CDM Methodology Development

Vietman

2. Development of Standardised Baseline
Biomass Utilisation

CDM FS for Biomass-based Power Generation Project, with Development ofStandardised Baseline of Off-Grid Electricity Generation

Cambodia

3. Remedy of geographical inequalities

Example of a householdbiogas digester in
Bangladesh

Renewable Energy

CDM FS for Wind Power Generation for Hambantota International Convention Centre

Waste Management

CDM PoA FS for Household Biogas Digester Promotion Programme

Bangladesh

CDM PoA FS for Energy Utilisation of Broiler Chicken Manure

Kazakhstan

Sri Lanka

4. Programme of Activities (PoA) category of CDM/JI
Transportation

CDM PoA FS for Fuel Efficiency Improvement through Introduction of Digital
Tachograph to Cargo Trucks

Malaysia

More specifically, in relation to the CDM/JI FS, as described above, feasibility studies werecarried out by the bodies that had submitted the proposals, in relation to the following typesof proposal: (i) proposals involving the development of new methodologies or the revision ofCargo transport vehicles in
Malaysia

methodologies; (ii) proposals involving the development of standardised baselines; (iii) proposals
that would contribute to remedying the regional distribution of CDM projects; and (iv) proposals
that corresponded to the Programme of Activities (PoA) category of CDM/JI. In addition, the FS
in category (i) involved a study aimed at developing new methodologies and submitting themto the CDM Executive Board, while the FS in category (ii) involved a study that would develop
standardised baselines that could be proposed to the designated national authority (DNA) ineach relevant host country. Of the three FS adopted in category (iii), two were related to PoA,
one of which involved a study of the process involved in undergoing the validation review
required to apply for registration of a project (including visits to the area concerned).
In the case of (i) new methodology development, as the application of methodologies
approved by the CDM Executive Board is required in CDM, it is necessary to develop new
methodologies that are applicable to actual projects and include techniques that are suited toproject implementation in cases in which there is no extant approved methodology, or where
only some of the conditions for application correspond, even if they appear applicable, orwhere those conditions are applicable in theory, but not suited to being implemented in regard
to actual projects. Developing new methodologies would enable projects that had not come tofruition under CDM to become eligible as CDM projects, thereby securing additional benefits
resulting from credits based on certified emission reductions (CER) and making it possible toimplement such projects. This would broaden the scope of projects eligible for consideration
as CDM and enable more projects to be implemented in a wider range of fields.
With regard to the standardised baselines referred to in category (ii), it is envisaged thatthe standardised baselines developed and approved for application at CMP6 will be applied
universally to host countries (or groups thereof). The CDM project baselines are defined as
the scenario that reasonably represents GHG emissions that would occur in the absenceof the CDM project activity, and are very important as they form the starting point whencalculating the emission reduction effect of CDM projects. In order to identify these scenarios,
it is necessary to verify various data and information after gathering and collating it, so the12

GEC 2011

scenarios are basically set for each project, with their appropriateness – including the grounds
for the scenario that has been set – being judged during the process of screening by the
CDM Executive Board when the validation review or application for registration takes place.
However, in the case of countries such as least-developed countries (LDC), even if endeavours
are made actually to develop CDM projects, a great deal of time, effort and money is required
before the baseline scenario can be identified, due to such issues as lack of availability of
data, which can result in projects not being implemented, and this is one of the reasons why
CDM projects are not implemented in countries such as LDC. A resolution concerning thedevelopment of standardised baselines was passed at CMP, in the hope that they would
solve this problem. It can be expected that, by stipulating a universal baseline scenario for aparticular host country, standardised baselines would simplify matters that hitherto had to be
set for each project and, consequently, would contribute to reducing transaction costs, thereby
increasing the possibility that more CDM projects would be implemented.
The term ‘regional distribution’ used in relation to (iii) refers to the problem that CDM
projects are concentrated in so-called emerging nations, with China, India and Brazil
accounting for approximately 75% of all registered projects. Increasing CDM projects in LDC
and African nations has been discussed as an issue relating to CDM since CMP2, which
took place in Nairobi, Kenya, but this has not led to any marked improvements. In terms ofcontributing to the resolution of this issue, improvements in institutional terms, such as thedevelopment of standardised baselines in category (ii), are important, as are efforts to support
project development in countries where few CDM projects have actually been registered.
Based on this perspective, FS will be conducted in regard to proposals from countries withfewer than ten registered CDM projects, which will contribute to the implementation ofprojects that will lead to such regional distribution being remedied.
A Programme of Activities (PoA), as referred to in category (iv), is a series of flows to which
a number of projects are added as part of a programme that qualifies as a single large CDM/JI
project. As it is necessary for each and every microscale project to pass a validation review
and to identify baseline scenarios in order to do so, it has been quite difficult to implement
such projects, due to issues such as the profitability of such projects. However, as a means ofovercoming this, under the PoA (Programme of Activities) framework that has been approved
as part of CDM/JI, if a large programme successfully clears the validation review process,projects can then be progressively added to this programme (with no upper limit on thenumber of projects that can be added), as long as they do not contravene the standards for

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7^dbVhhJi^a^oVi^dc
GZcZlVWaZ:cZg\nDi]ZghGEC 2011

13

Surveys Concerning Global Environmental Problems

addition to the programme. Nevertheless, the number of proposals for PoA has not grownas much as had initially been anticipated, and many of the microscale proposals are closelyintertwined with the lives of local citizens, so an increase in the number of PoA would bedesirable. Consequently, it is anticipated that developing and implementing PoA proposals
and increasing the number of projects added to such programmes will ensure a greater GHG
emission reduction effect.
The CDM/JI FS were also completed on 4 March 2012 and the FS entities submitted their
FS reports. These FS reports provide a detailed summary of the outcomes of the studies and inlight of the fact that one of the objectives of this endeavour is to build up a stock of knowledge
and experience, not only in Japanese but also in English editions of the reports were publishedon the GEC website, in order to disseminate information both within Japan and overseas.
Moreover, an application for approval for one new methodology was submitted to the CDM
Executive Board, and one standardised baseline was proposed to the designated national
authority (DNA) of a host country.

Information Dissemination and Educational Activities Concerning Climate Change Measures
In order to conduct wide-ranging information dissemination and educational activities, such as climatechange measures and discussions at international conferences about these, including the content
and outcomes of New Mechanism FS and CDM/JI FS, GEC gathers information at international
conferences, organises symposiums and events, and disseminates information via its website.
• Gathering information at international conferences and other events
GEC participated in the UNFCCC 34th Sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB34, 6-17 June
2011, in Bonn, Germany), the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17, 28 November - 10 December
2011, in Durban, South Africa), and the meetings of the Ad Hoc Working Groups (AWGs) heldin Panama in October 2011, and gathered the latest information about matters including trends
in international negotiations concerning measures to alleviate climate change in relation to theflexibility mechanisms, among other topics.
• Organising the Global Warming Countermeasures Symposium 2011 ‘Exploring the
Feasibility of New Mechanisms in Developing Countries’
In partnership with the Ministry of the Environment,
GEC held the Global Warming Countermeasures
Symposium 2011, in order to widely disseminate thelatest information about measures to counter global
warming and new mechanisms for doing so. The
symposium was held at the Sabo Hall Annex (Tokyo)
on 21 September 2011 and at the Osaka Museum ofHistory on 22 September. Attracting 195 participants

At the Tokyo venue

to the Tokyo venue and 72 to the Osaka venue, this symposium featured presentations aboutsuch matters as trends in international negotiations concerning new mechanisms and Japan’s
proposal for one such mechanism, as well as activities to promote the dissemination of
information in the regard and support for the construction of institutional arrangements
through the implementation of feasibility studies. In addition, a report was given on the resultsof the FY2010 New Mechanism FS and CDM/JI FS.
• Organising the New Mechanism Feasibility Studies Symposium 2012 ‘Toward theConstruction of the Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism (BOCM)’
In partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, GEC held the New Mechanism
14

GEC 2011

Feasibility Studies Symposium 2012 at the Iino Hall
(Tokyo) on 27 February 2012, in order to report on theoutcomes of the FY2011 New Mechanism FS, as wellas widely disseminating the latest information about
negotiations and decisions at COP17 concerning new
mechanisms. The symposium attracted approximately
200 participants. As well as providing an introduction
to the results of and latest trends in international
negotiations concerning such matters as new

New Mechanism Feasibility Study
Symposium 2012mechanisms and CDM/JI, in order to achieve qualitative and quantitative improvements
in future feasibility studies, this symposium featured presentations about proposals for
improvements to feasibility studies carried out by the Ministry of the Environment, in lightof the lessons learnt from progress management of feasibility studies carried out during thecurrent fiscal year.
• Organising official side events at UNFCCC sessions
At SB34, in partnership with the Ministry of theEnvironment and the Overseas Environmental
Cooperation Centre, Japan (OECC), GEC organised an
official side event on the sixth day of the meeting (11June), entitled ‘First Findings of New Mechanisms FS –based on Lao-Japan Cooperation in Transport Sector’.
This side event featured an explanation of the New
Mechanism Feasibility Study programme implemented in

SB34 Side Event (Bonn, Germany)

FY2010 and the three FS carried out under its auspices.
One of these – the Feasibility Study on NAMA* in theTransport Sector of Laos – was taken up in greater detail,in order to explore in greater depth the results of thesurvey and the path to future commercialisation, witha presentation by representatives of the governmentof Laos concerning their country’s climate change
countermeasures and initiatives aimed at achieving

COP17 Side Event (Durban, South Africa)

sustainable urban transport, and a report on the outcomes of the study by Mitsubishi UFJ
Morgan Stanley Securities Co., Ltd., which conducted the FS in question. Moreover, there
were also introductions to initiatives by the Ministry of the Environment focused on new
mechanisms and the OECC’s New Mechanism Information Platform.
Furthermore, at COP17, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, the OECC,
the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Keio University, GEC held an official
side event on the second day of the conference (29 November). More than 70 people,
including government representatives and experts from each country, participated in this side
event, which was the scene of lively discussions. GEC provided an introduction to promisingfindings from the results of the FY2011 New Mechanism FS, while the presentation by

NAMA (Nationally
Appropriate Mitigation
Actions by developing
countries
Climate change mitigation
actions implemented in
response to the individual
circumstances ofdeveloping nations. The
term was first referred toin the COP13 Bali Action
Plan. Developing nations
requested submission of alist of NAMAs in the COP15
Copenhagen Accord, andcreation of the NAMA
Registry was incorporated
into COP16 Cancun. This
registry contains NAMAs
for which support is sought
in order to facilitate theirfunding.

Climate Experts Ltd. highlighted the specific example of the New Mechanism Feasibility
Study for Integrated Energy Efficiency Activities at Beer/Beverage Factories Using Specific
Energy Consumption Methods in South Africa, in which the company had participated,
examining the issues considered therein and the envisaged outcomes of the study.
Moreover, there were introductions that focused not only on mitigation, but also adaptation,
as well as Japanese support for the development of inventories in developing countries andprograms undertaken by institutions of higher education focusing on the problem of climatechange.
GEC 2011

15

Surveys Concerning Global Environmental Problems• Disseminating information at UNFCCC sessions
GEC put together an English-language booklet entitled Japan’s Initiative toward Establishmentof New Mechanisms: Lessons Learnt from Case Studies 2010, which provides an overview
of the results of the three New Mechanism FS conducted in FY2010, with the objective ofdistributing it during SB34, including at the side event that it was organising.
Moreover, at COP17, GEC endeavoured to promote the widespread international
dissemination of information through such initiatives as exhibiting an official booth jointly with
IGES and displaying posters introducing the FY2011 New Mechanism FS and CDM/JI FS,
as well as putting together a booklet providing an overview of the proposals for studies, anddistributing this along with the booklet compiled for distribution at SB34.
• Other information dissemination and educational activities
At the 2nd Asia Forum on Carbon Update, which was held on 15-17 February 2012 in
Bandung, Indonesia, GEC organised a parallel session entitled “Carbon Market Update
Mechanism”, in partnership with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
and Indonesia’s National Council on Climate Change (DNPI). This parallel session featured an
introduction by IGES to capacity development programmes relating to the market mechanisms
and an overview of the domestic emissions trading system in Indonesia, as well as a report by
GEC on the results of New Mechanism FS focused on proposals in Indonesia.
Furthermore, as well as compiling the information gathered at international conferences(UNFCCC sessions, etc.) and introducing the results of its analysis, GEC also uses its website
to publish the outcomes of events that it has held, the results of FS, and various related
publications, thereby promoting the widespread dissemination of information.

Duties as the Secretariat of the Osaka CDM Network
GEC serves as the secretariat of the Osaka CDM
Network (O-CDM), members of which include private
sector companies. The Osaka CDM Network is a
network that was established jointly in February 2004
by GEC, the OISCA Kansai Branch and the Osaka Urban
Industry Promotion Centre, in order to encourage
active participation in CDM projects by Osaka-based
companies, and conducts activities with the objective of

Osaka Carbon Conference 2011

offering a forum for the provision of information and exchange of opinions through workshops,
as well as for practical activities. In 2008, it launched the Osaka Carbon Offset Concierge(OCONOMI) initiative to popularise carbon offset, which involves using the emission reduction
effect achieved in one location (i.e. the credits, etc. generated from this) to offset emissionsof greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2 that inevitably arise from daily life and economic
activities; since then, it has been implementing measures to achieve a low-carbon society.
In FY2011, as the secretariat of O-CDM, GEC managed the following activities.
• Holding study groups for members concerning the new mechanism (BOCM)• Holding the Osaka Carbon Conference 2011 to report on the results of COP17• Compiling a draft anthology of carbon offset case studies• Disseminating information and responding to enquiries via the website
Moreover, membership was restricted to groups until FY2010, but GEC has implemented
various initiatives to make the running of O-CDM smoother and enhance its activities, suchas revising the organisation’s regulations to make it possible to accept individual members as
well, and establishing two types of membership category: ‘full membership’, for groups, and‘associate membership’, for individuals.
16

GEC 2011

Training of Environmental Technology

Human Resource Development in Developing Countries

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Group Training Project
Having been commissioned by JICA, GEC held the following 5 training courses for engineersand government officials from developing countries. In addition, it continued to hold the JapanMexico Training Programme for the Strategic Global Partnership (formerly known as the JapanMexico Exchange Programme): Total Environmental Contamination Control course, a training
programme which was launched in FY2010 and involves students and young engineers,among others, from Japan and Mexico participating in training courses in the counterpart
country; two trainees participated in this course in FY2011.
The participants in each course presented a ‘Country Report*’ at the start of each course toshare awareness of their nations' respective environmental issues, and an ‘Action Plan*’ at theend of the training specifying their intended objectives upon repatriation.
GEC will continue to provide training while coordinating with affiliates in order to respondto changing needs in courses that are in high demand in developing nations. We will also
strengthen our partnerships with research & affiliate organizations to cater to the strong
demand from developing nations for new environmental training.
Training
periodNationality ofparticipants

Main course
contents

Japan-Mexico Training Programme for the Strategic Global Partnership: Total Environmental
Contamination Control*
6 May–
9 December
2011

2 participantsfrom Mexico

PurposeTo develop the participants’ capacity in the field of comprehensive environmental
contamination control by providing a board range of relevant expertise andexperience through participation in multiple JICA group training
Cooperating bodies• Osaka City University• Osaka City Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences• Osaka Bay Regional Offshore Environmental Improvement Centre (Phenix)• Osaka City Port and Harbor Bureau, etc.
Lectures• Environmental policy frameworks • Urban solid waste management• Countermeasures against automobile pollution • Waste water treatment frommining industires • Urban heat environment measures, etc
Facility tours• Seashore Sanitary Landfill Site • Osaka City University Botanical Garden• Minamata Disease Municipal Museum, etc.

Mega-City Environmental Policy & Environmental Management System*
13 June–29 July2011

6 participantsfromIndia (1),Indonesia (2),Kosovo (1),Mexico (2)PurposeTo master pragmatic and practical methodologies, such as the framing of environmental
policies, techniques of the environmental assessment, guiding corporation policies,
Environmental Management Systems and methods of enlightening citizens.
Cooperating bodies• Osaka City Environment Bureau • Kyoto City • United Nations Centre for
Regional Development • United Nations University • Senri Kinran University• Kwansei Gakuin University • Namazue Higashi Elementary School• Kubota Corporation • Rematec Corpotation, etc.
Lectures• Environmental administration in Osaka, Japan• Environmental Management System • Environmental impact assessment• Environmental policy and socioeconomic systems• Countermeasures of climate change, etc.
Facility tours• Incineration plant • Recycling and sorting centre • Landfill site
• Sewage treatment plant • Biodiesel fuel plant from waste edible oil• Environmental education activities at a primary school• Waste recycling facility utilizing subcritical water, etc.

Country Report
A report prepared by eachparticipant describing theenvironmental administration
system, environmental
situation and other related
issues in his/her country.
These Country Reports arepresented at the start of the
training course to minimize
the gap in issue awarenessbetween trainees andinstructors.
Action Plan
A plan prepared by each of
the trainees to improve theenvironment in their own
country based on knowledge
acquired during the training.
Trainees present their Action
Plan and receive advice fromaudience (mainly from course
instructors and advisers) on
how to improve its feasibility.
Japan-Mexico Training
Programme for theStrategic Global Partnership:
Total Environmental
Contamination Control

Practical exercise at a
research instituteMega-City Environmental
Policy & Environmental
Management System

Visit to Sewage treatment
plant

GEC 2011

17

Training of Environmental Technology

Training
periodUrban Solid Waste
Management by Local
Government

Nationality ofparticipants

Urban Solid Waste Management by Local Government*
22 August–
19 October2011

7 participants
fromColombia (1),Cuba (2),Fiji (1),Makedonia (1),Uruguay (2)Field trip to landfill site inNorth port

Countermeasure against
Automobile Pollution in
Urban Area

Tour of a mine wastewaterdisposal facility (formerly the
Matsuo mine)

PurposeTo develop leaders and core people who can play a major role in making solid waste
treatment plans and in implementing treatment businesses in their countries.
Cooperating bodies• Osaka City Environment Bureau • Fukuoka University and other universities• National Institute for Environmental Studies • Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd. etc.
Lectures• Outline of waste treatment • Sanitary landfill technology• Industrial waste treatment planning etc.
Practical training/ Facility tours• l Participation in volunteer beautification activities • Recycling facility• Waste incineration plant • Industrial waste treatment facility, etc.

Countermeasure against Automobile Pollution in Urban Area*
3 October–
18 November
2011

13 participantsfrom Egypt (3),Lao P.D.R. (2),Mongolia (3),Pakistan (1),Philippines (1),Sri Lanka (3)Practical exercise in ecodriving at JAF

Waste Effluent Pollution
Control Caused by Mining
and Manufacturing
Industries for Central andSouth America

Main course
contents

PurposeTo formulate & implement automobile pollution prevention plans etc. in target
countries to resolve air pollution problems caused by city-based vehicles from thedual perspectives of environmental countermeasure technologies & urban transport
policies.
Cooperating bodies• Osaka City University • Osaka City Environment Bureau• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport • Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)• Japan Vehicle Inspection Association • Suuri-Keikaku Co., Ltd. etc.
Lectures• Urban transport & the environment • Measures to deal with motor vehicle traffic• Examples of co-benefit CDM in the transport sector • Drivers’ education (practical
exercise in eco-driving), etc.
Facility tours• Traffic control centre • Example of road planning through regional cooperation• Case study of a traffic demand management (TDM), etc.

Waste Effluent Pollution Control Caused by Mining and Manufacturing Industries for Central
and South America*
16 November–
16 December
2011

22 participants,
fromArgentina (6),
Bolivia (2),Colombia (3),
Costa Rica (3),Cuba (3),Peru (3),Venezuela (2),PurposeTo draw up effective solutions and policies to mitigate environmental destruction
and pollution in relevant countries, caused by hazardous substances contained in
effluent from mining and manufacturing industries.
Cooperating bodies• Osaka City Environment Bureau • Osaka City Public Works Bureau• National Institute for Minamata Disease • Yagi Bioecology Centre of Nantan City
• International Institute for Mining Technology • Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
• Kanden Geo-Re Inc, etc.
Lectures• Pollution control for hazardous materials • Soil contamination control measures• Industrial wastewater control • Mine safety laws, etc.
Facility tours• Hishikari mine • Examples of soil contamination measures• Treatment facility for wastewater containing heavy metals, etc.

GEC Networking Project for Former Training Course Participants
In an effort to follow up on former JICA participants and ascertain the needs of developing
nations, GEC established the ‘GEC Network’ for former training course participants in 1998,
publishes the ‘GEC PLAZA’ newsletter and ‘Connect the World’ e-mail newsletter, andconducts follow-up seminars* to consolidate the network through the exchange of information.
In FY2011, GEC staff visited Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, where atmospheric pollution has
become a serious problem in recent years, to hold a follow-up seminar. In order to support thehome country activities of former JICA participants of Countermeasure against Automobile
18

GEC 2011

Pollution in Urban Area training course, which GEC
implemented for three years from FY2009 to FY2011,
GEC staff visited Mongolia between 4 to 10 March 2012,
with the support of JICA, and held a local seminar, as
well as seeing the current status of atmospheric pollution
and the progress of measures to deal with this. The
seminar, which was held on 6 March in Ulaanbaatar, wasattended by approximately 50 people. The lecturers from

Follow-up seminar

Japan strove to disseminate their knowledge to the participants, and provide an introduction to
the Capacity Development Project for Air Pollution Control in Ulaanbaatar City, a JICA technicalsupport project currently being implemented in Ulaanbaatar, as well as giving presentations
on topics such as ‘Case Studies of Air Pollution in Osaka City’ and ‘Environmental Standards
and Assessments of the Health Impacts of Air Pollution’. Former JICA participants provided an
introduction to examples of various air pollution control measures that the city of Ulaanbaatar
is working on at present. Moreover, on 7 and 8 March, GEC staff visited the Ulaanbaatar City
Traffic Control Centre, an air quality monitoring station, as well as the traditional Mongolian
dwellings called ‘ger’, whose numbers are increasing in the city centre annually; throughFollow-up Seminar
Held in countries where
Network membership is high,the theme of each seminar isintended to reflect the specificneeds of that country. Theseseminars were previously
known as ‘One Day Seminars’
until 2008.
• Thailand & Philippines(March 1999)• Malaysia & Viet Nam(January 2000)• Indonesia (February 2001)• Egypt (March 2002)• Thailand (March 2005)• Cuba (March 2007)• Philippines (March 2008)• Indonesia (March 2009)• Peru (February 2010)• Viet Nam (March 2011)• Mongolia (March 2012)

this visit, GEC staff were able to gain a proper understanding of the current state of local air
pollution control measures, such as seeing the current situation in regard to the ger stoves thatare believed to be one of the main causes of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, as well as verifying
the technology required to deal with this.
Network Member Distribution Diagram (As of March 2011):jgdeZ6gZV^cXajY^c\C>HXdjcig^Zh/(+<:8
B^YYaZ:Vhi6gZV/-&

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8Vg^WWZVc6gZV/&,.

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6gZV/,&6h^V6gZV/*(%Dissemination of Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Operating the ‘Internal Environmental Auditor Training Course’
GEC established the ‘Internal Environmental Auditor Training Course’ for environmental
auditors in the private and public sectors. The course lectures provide essential information
on creating and operating environmental management systems (EMS). In 2011, 12 people
participated the course.
GEC 2011

19

PR and Educational Activities

PR Activities

In FY2011, with the cooperation of associated parties, such as IETC and Osaka City, GEC held
symposiums to provide citizens with a more profound understanding of climate change, in
addition to conducting PR activities to promote public understanding of the reasons for the
existence of GEC and IETC, as well as the content of their projects.
Date

Name of Event

Content

Remarks

25–27 May
2011

Small & Medium Enterprise Fair
Venue: Intex Osaka

Display of panels about GEC(Exhibited in the Osaka city Water &Environment Solutions Association booth)Exhibition

4–19 June
2011

Osaka City Environment Monthevent ‘Environmental Exhibition’Venue: Eco Museum of Osaka

Display of panels about GEC/ IETC

Exhibition

11 & 12 June
2011

Eco Festival Day 2011
Venue: Tsurumi Park (Osaka)

An introduction to the activities of GEC/IETC, environment quiz

Exhibition

5–7 July
2011

Water Expo 2011
Venue: Singapore

Display of panels and distribution ofpamphlets about NETT21(Exhibited in the Osaka city Water &Exhibition

Environment Solutions Association booth)20

GEC 2011

8 July2011

Water quality analysis with JICA
overseas trainees and primaryschool pupils
Venue: Osaka Municipal Namazue
Higashi Primary School

Promoting international understanding
and interest in water-related environmental
problems through interaction between
primary school pupils from Osaka City and
JICA overseas trainees

Environmental
education

11 September
2011

Tsurumi Ward Festival
Venue: Tsurumi Park (Osaka)

An introduction to the activities of
GEC/IETC

Exhibition

1 & 2 October
2011

Global Festa Japan 2011
Venue: Hibiya Park (Tokyo)

An introduction to the activities of
GEC/IETC

Exhibition

8 October
2011

ECO Festival ‘Garage Sale in
OSAKA TOWN’
Venue: Osaka Castle ParkAn introduction to the activities of
GEC/IETC

Exhibition

23 October
2011

Biodiversity Symposium
Venue: Osaka Museum of Natural
History

An introduction to the activities of
GEC/IETC

Joint

29 & 30 October Eco Art Festa Osaka 2011
Venue: Tempozan Harbour Village
2011(Osaka)An introduction to the activities of
GEC/IETC

Joint

4 February
2012

One World Festival
Talk Salon: ‘Get to know UNEP!
Learn about international
environmental cooperation!’
Venue: International House Osaka

Introduction to UNEP, IETC and GEC• The relationship between our water
footprint and daily life
• The current status of the waste problem
in developing countries• Activities in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Salon
Joint

4 & 5 February
2012

One World Festival
Venue: International House Osaka

An introduction to the activities of
GEC/IETC

Joint

27 February
2011

New Mechanism Feasibility
Studies Symposium 2012
‘Toward the Construction of the
Bilateral Offset Credit Mechanism(BOCM)’
Venue: Tokyo Iino Hall

• Provision of the latest information about
international negotiations concerning new
mechanisms, including the BOCM
• Presentation of the future direction of the
BOCM FS• Report on the results of the FY2011 New
Mechanism Feasibility Studies(176 participants)

SymposiumOthers

Publications List

Publications in 2011
Publication Name

Content

FormatSize/pages/
date of publication

Japan’s Initiative toward
Establishment of New
Mechanisms: Lessons Learnt
from Case Studies 2010

Overview of the results of the three feasibility
studies on the new mechanisms carried out in
FY2010 (booklet for distribution on the day of theSB24 side event)

BookletPDF

A4/22 pages
June 20111●

Waste Recycling Technologies
Adopted in Eco-towns inJapanBooklet concerning waste recycling technologies
adopted in Japanese eco-towns, compiled as partof the FY2011 project to build the Eco-town
Environmental Technology Database

PDF

A4/52 pages
March 2012

Initiatives of Local
Governments for Promoting
Waste Recycling andEco-town Programs in Japan

Booklet concerning initiatives undertaken by
Japanese local governments to promote waste
recycling, compiled as part of the FY2011 project
to build the Eco-town Environmental Technology
Database

PDF

A4/48 pages
March 2012

Laws and Support Systems
for Promoting Waste
Recycling in Japan

Booklet concerning Japanese laws and systems topromote waste recycling, compiled as part of
the FY2011 project to build the Eco-town
Environmental Technology Database

PDF

A4/52 pages
March 2012Hãy giữ gìnVịnh Hạ Long xinh đẹp

Environmental education textbook for primaryschool students at floating primary schools,
compiled as part of the FY2011 Grass Roots
Technical Assistance Project to Improve theEnvironment at Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

BookletPDF

B5/16 pages
December 2011
(Vietnameseedition)Guidelines for teachers for using the environmental
education textbook for primary school students
at floating primary schools, compiled as part of
the FY2011 Grass Roots Technical Assistance
Project to Improve the Environment at Ha Long
Bay, Vietnam

BookletPDF

B5/36 pages
December 2011
(Vietnameseedition)2●

Booklet detailing the importance of mangroves,types of mangroves in Ha Long Bay, and theplanting methods used, compiled as part of the
FY2011 Grass Roots Technical Assistance Project to
Improve the Environment at Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

BookletPDF

Publication nameContents

FormatSize/pages/
date of publication

GEC Newsletter No.30

An introduction to the activities of GEC

BookletPDF

A4/8 pages
4
October 2011 ●GEC Newsletter No.31

An introduction to the activities of GEC

BookletPDF

A4/8 pages
March 2012

Global Environment Centre
Foundation Annual Report2010 (English version)

Report on project of GEC for fiscal year 2010

BookletPDF

A4/20 pages
September 2011

(Protect Beautiful Ha LongBay)Hãy giữ gìnVịnh Hạ Long xinh đẹp- Tài liệu giảng dạy chohọc sinh tiểu hoọc(Dùng cho giáo viên)(Protect Beautiful Ha Long
Bay - Primary School Teaching
Materials (for Teachers))Trồng Rừng Ngập Mặn
Cho Hạ Long Thêm Xanh /Mangrove Planting for theGreen of Ha Long Bay

1
●

2
●

3
●

B5/40 pages
March 2012
(Vietnamese &English edition)
3
●

4
●

Periodicals in 2011

5
●
5
●

6
●

6
●

GEC 2011

21

Overview of the Global Environment Centre Foundation

Background of the Establishment

Establishment of the UNEP/DTIE/International Environmental Technology Centre
Beginning in the 1960s, Osaka City experienced a series of acute socio-environmental
issues on the back of rapid industrialization, such as air, noise and water pollution and land
subsidence. The city succeeded in substantially mitigating these problems, however, throughthe combined efforts of government and industry. Seeking to leverage these experiences forthe benefit of others, the Osaka City Government actively cooperated with developing nations
to help resolve their environmental problems, such as the formulation of a master plan toaddress air pollution in Shanghai, China.
In 1990, the International Garden and Greenery Exposition was held in Osaka based on thetheme of ‘harmonious coexistence between nature and mankind’. In anticipation of this event,
Osaka City announced its intention in August of 1989 to invite an international environmentalorganization to the city as a way of carrying on the spirit of the exposition and taking
advantage of Osaka’s experience in environmental conservation. The announcement was
followed by moves to attract relevant organizations, including an official invitation from Osaka
Mayor Masaya Nishio handed to the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) Dr. Mostafa K. Tolba during his visit to Japan.
These efforts culminated in July 1990 with a proposal by Japan's then Prime Minister
Toshiki Kaifu at the G7 Summit in Houston to establish a UNEP facility in Japan. In August of
the same year, Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya Mr. Naohiro Kumagai made a proposal to the
2nd Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council to set up the International Environmental
Technology Centre (IETC). In May of the following year, a resolution to establish IETC withthe mandate of promoting the adoption, application and operation of Environmentally Sound
Technologies (ESTs) in developing countries and countries with economies in transition was
unanimously approved at the 16th Session of the UNEP Governing Council. In October 1992,
UNEP Executive Director Tolba and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Koji
Kakizawa signed an agreement in Osaka on the founding of IETC in Osaka, which officiallycommenced operations in April 1994. Since April 2011, IETC operates in Osaka after its two
offices were merged into one office.
Note: official positions listed above were current at the dates listed.

Establishment of the Global Environment Centre Foundation
Following the UNEP Governing Council's official decision to establish IETC in Japan, the Osaka
City Government set up the UNEP/IETC Osaka Planning Office on 3 July 1991 to investigate
IETC’s operations and to facilitate the establishment of a support foundation to be launched at
the start of 1992.
Following initial preparations by the Planning Office, the Global Environment Centre
Foundation (GEC) was launched as a UNEP support entity on 28 January 1992 with a capitalendowment from the Osaka prefectural and city governments.
In 2008, GEC subsequently filed an application for change of legal entity from anincorporated foundation to a public interest incorporated foundation on 27 October 2009 in
response to the 2008 enforcement of the three laws relating to reform of the public interest
corporation system. After receiving the approval of the Prime Minister, GEC made a new start
as a public interest incorporated foundation on 1 April 2010.
GEC was founded with the aim of contributing to the conservation of the environment
in developing nations and around the world by leveraging Japan’s wealth of conservation
knowledge and experience in support of UNEP’s urban environment conservation activities indeveloping nations, and undertaking activities to promote international cooperation to protect
the global environment.

22

GEC 2011

GEC’s Activities

In addition to providing various types of support to IETC such as facility sharing and project
collaboration, GEC also acts as an intermediary between IETC and its affiliated institutions inJapan to help ensure that its activities proceed smoothly and efficiently. Through activities
to protect the global environment including surveys & research, collection & disseminationof information, and hosting of training & seminars, GEC contributes to Japan's international
efforts on the environment.
Name
Date of Establishment
Supervisory Authorities
Office Location
Endowments
Activities

Number of Staff

Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC)
28 January 1992
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
2-110 Ryokuchi-koen, Tsurumi-ku, Osaka 538-0036 Japan
Telephone: +81-6-6915-4121 Facsimile: +81-6-6915-0181
1,754,160,000 yen(1) Projects in support of UNEP/DTIE/IETC stated aims of technical transfers and spreading
information on environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) to promote environmental
conservation in major urban areas of developing nations.
(2) Collection, dissemination, surveying & research of information on environmental
conservation in developing nations & the world as well as global warming countermeasures
to promote technical cooperation and foster human resources in developing nations.
(3) Other projects required to achieve GEC’s stated aims.
24
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Organization Chart

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GEC 2011

23

References

Board Members of the Global Environment Centre Foundation

President

MIYAHARA, Hideo

President, National Institute of Information and Communications
Technology

Executive
Director

NISHIYAMA, Kenichiro Former Director General for Environmental Policy, Environment Bureau,

Directors

FUJIWARA, Yukinori

Osaka City Government
General Manager, Economic Research Department,
Kansai Economic Federation

HARADA, Tomoyo
Lecturer, Kyoto Seika University
NAKAGAWA, Masataka Director, Economy and Industry Division,
The Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Auditors

Councilors

OTSUKI, Yoshinobu
SOURI, Norio

Senior Reseracher, Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth

IWAMOTO, Kenichi
IWATANI, Motoi

Certified Tax Accountant

INOUE, Yuichi

Corporate Auditor, The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.

KAGAJYO, Toshimasa
KANEKO, Kumao
KATAOKA, Shigehiro
KATAYAMA, Toru
MIZUNO, Minoru
MORIOKA, Toru

General Manager, CSR and Environment Department, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.

Professor Emeritus, Osaka City University

Attorney

Chairperson, Japan Council on Energy & Security
Attorney
Executive Managing Director, Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center
Professor Emeritus, Osaka University
Professor, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Engineering,Kansai University (Professor Emeritus, Osaka University)

OE, KeikoSenior Executive Director - Environmental Management,
Department of Environment, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,
Osaka Prefectural Government

SASAKI, Jyuichiro

Director General, Osaka International Centre of the Japan International
Cooperation Agency

SUZUKI, Yutaka

Director, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies,
Kansai Research Centre (Professor Emeritus, Osaka University)

TAMAI, Tokuo

Director General, Environment Bureau, Osaka City Government(as of 1 July 2012, honorific omitted; name in alphabetical order <Surname>)24

GEC 2011

Overview of the UNEP/DTIE/IETC

Name

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE)
International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC)

Agreement

The agreement between Japanese Government and UNEP was signed on 30 October 1992.

MandatePromoting the application of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) in developing
countries and countries in transition. Currently IETC focuses on waste management issues.

Contacts

Osaka Office: 2-110 Ryokuchi-koen, Tsurumi-ku, Osaka 538-0036 Japan
tel: +81-6-6915-4581 fax: +81-6-6915-0304 e-mail: ietc@unep.org
IETC homepage: http://www.unep.org/ietc

Staff

Matthew Gubb, Director
Surya Prakash Chandak, Senior Programme Officer
Mushtaq Ahmed Memon, Programme Officer
Ryuichi Fukuhara, Programme Officer
Ainhoa Carpintero, Associate Programme Officer
John Peter Oosterhoff, Administrative/Fund Management Officer(As of 31 March
2012)

Special Notes
On 11 March 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the north-eastern coast of Japan triggered a seriesof tsunamis resulting in massive loss of life, environmental devastation and damage to infrastructure.
Immediately following the tragedy, IETC coordinated with our Division of Technology, Industry, andEconomics (DTIE) in assisting Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director to send letters expressing ourdeepest condolences and offering our full support to the Government of Japan. Since then IETC has been
associating closely with concerned UNEP offices and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFAJ).
A year after the massive earthquake and tsunami struck Tohoku, in collaboration with the MOFAJ, UNEP’s
IETC and Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch organized an international mission to theInternational mission in
Tohoku (Sendai)

Japanese region of Tohoku to exchange experience on managing post-disaster debris. The mission visited
Tohoku from 27 February to 2 March 2012. Then on 5 March UNEP held a media briefing in Tokyo anda seminar in Osaka on 6 March respectively to disseminate the information widely in Japan. The final
mission report is available at http://www.unep.org/pdf/UNEP_Japan_post-tsunami_debris.pdf.
On 1 April 2011 in Nairobi, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and H.E. Mr. Toshihisa Takata,Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Kenya signed an amended
agreement between the Government of Japan and UNEP relating to IETC. Consequently the IETC Shiga
Office was closed and IETC was consolidated in one office in Osaka effective 1 April 2011. IETC continues
to maintain a close association with its supporting foundation, Global Environment Centre Foundation(GEC), and with the Osaka City Government. In addition, the International Lake Environment Committee(ILEC) in Shiga has begun coordinating with UNEP’s Division of Early Warning and Assessment (DEWA)
under a new Memorandum of Understanding signed between them.

Final mission report of theInternational mission in
Tohoku – “Managing postdisaster debris: the Japan
experience”

On 13 October 2011 in Osaka, Matthew Gubb assumed the post of Director of IETC. On taking up thepost, he paid a series of courtesy calls on the Government of Japan in Tokyo with the Executive Director of
UNEP, and on the Osaka City Government with GEC. During October to December 2011, he also met withpotential partners among the UN offices in Japan (ILO, UN ISDR, UNCRD, UNIDO, UNITAR, and UNU). He
also initiated a review of IETC’s projects and activities in order to develop a plan for a strengthened centre
that will serve as a global centre of excellence on the full range of waste management issues.
Progress of implementation on IETC activities
The biennial implementation of the 2010-2011 UNEP Programme of Work (PoW) continued during theperiod from January to December 2011. This included two projects under UNEP’s Resource Efficiency subprogramme, two projects under the Harmful Substances and Hazardous Waste sub-programme, and fourother projects where IETC has some implementation responsibilities. Information on IETC’s work in 2011 isprovided below under two thematic headings, waste management and water and sanitation.

GEC 2011

25

References

Activity report from January 2011 to March 2012
Waste Management
During the 26th regular session of UNEP’s Governing Council held in Nairobi from 21 to 24 February 2011,
the Governing Council once again emphasized the importance of work being done in the field of waste
management and adopted a further decision on the subject. Through this decision 26/3 the Governing
Council asked UNEP to further expand its work on integrated solid waste management (ISWM), specificwaste streams such as e-waste, and “waste to energy”, and to undertake further consultations on its
Global Partnership on Waste Management (GPWM).
IETC’s work carried out in these areas during 2011 has been integrated into UNEP’s sub-programmes
and projects as follows;
Resource Efficiency sub-programme- Technology assessments, technology policy and environmentally sound technologies to empower
public and private organizations to advance resource efficiency;- Policies and tools at the city level – Best practices to improve waste management, water & sanitationand energy efficiency for sustainable urban development;- Developing the business case for scaling up investment in resource efficient, cleaner and safer
technologies.
Harmful Substances and Hazardous Waste sub-programme- Global Outlook on Harmful Substances and Hazardous Waste;- Destruction Technologies for Harmful Substances and Hazardous Waste;- Strengthening implementation and monitoring of the Chemicals and waste MEAs.
In preparation for the nineteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, anIntersessional Conference on Building Partnerships for Moving towards Zero Waste was organized inTokyo, from 16 to 18 February 2011 by UN DESA, UNCRD and Ministry of the Environment of Japan. IETC
represented UNEP for the conference and made a presentation on the GPWM. The draft Chair Summary
incorporated the UNEP’s proposal of establishing the GPWM.
IETC undertook consultation with governments and other stakeholders on the terms of reference
and implementation strategy for the GPWM in line with UNEP Governing Council decision 26/3 on
Chemicals and Waste Management. The first consultation was held at the UNEP office in New York on
4 May 2011, and the second consultation was held on 29 and 30 June 2011 at the UNEP/DTIE officein Paris. Based on the suggestions during the consultation meetings a final draft of GPWM framework
Global Partnership on Waste
Management consultation
meeting

including implementation strategy was prepared. A working group meeting was held in Vienna on 5 and 6
December 2011 to discuss the work plans for the sponsored focal areas. The six initial focal areas and their“sponsors” or leads are;
1. Waste and Climate Change (International Solid Waste Association-ISWA);
2. Waste agricultural biomass (UNEP/IETC);
3. Integrated solid waste management (UNEP/IETC);
4. E-waste management (UNIDO);
5. Marine Litter (UNEP/Division of Environmental Policy Implementation-DEPI);
6. Waste Minimization (UNEP/IETC).
As secretariat for the GPWM, IETC continued to implement initial tasks for the GPWM. Developmentof a complementary information platform was initiated to provide a roster for information of waste
management projects and activities around the world. Work was also started on mapping of waste
management related programmes and activities by international organizations as well as on theassessment of capacity building needs in developing countries.
During the nineteenth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development held in New York
from 2 to 13 May 2011, IETC organized a “Learning Centre” or side event on ISWM for an audience ofGovernment and civil society representatives.
IETC continued to work on ISWM demonstration projects for municipalities based on a 3R approach(reduce, reuse, recycle). Projects for Bahir Dar in Ethiopia with UNEP funding and Pathum Thani in Thailand
with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) were completed. A new project for
Addis Ababa in Ethiopia was started with Norwegian funding. Two further new projects in Da Nang in Viet
Nam and Kampot in Kingdom of Cambodia are being discussed with local partners under KOICA funding.
In the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) has translated ISWM
manuals (four volumes) into Chinese to build local capacity on waste characterization and quantification,

26

GEC 2011

assessment of current waste management system, target setting and identification of stakeholders
concerns on ISWM and how to develop ISWM plan.
IETC continued work on demonstration projects under the first phase of the project “Converting Waste
Agricultural Biomass into a Resource”. Activities were completed in three areas/regions namely Sanghar
district (Pakistan), Madhyapur Thimi Municipality (Nepal) and Monaragala district (Sri Lanka) in partnershipwith the Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management (Mehran University of Engineeringand Technology, Pakistan), the Society for Environment and Economic Development (SEED) in Nepal andthe National Cleaner Production Centre of Sri Lanka respectively. In all these places technologies weresuccessfully demonstrated and there is a demand for further replication. An activity of Cabiao (Philippines)
is being implemented in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines. The activities
included characterization and quantification (baseline data) of waste agricultural biomass region concerned
assessment of current patterns of use and disposal of waste agricultural biomass along with stakeholder’sconsultation workshops, identification and assessment of suitable technologies for the conversion of waste
agricultural biomass into useful energy and finally design/procurement, installation and commissioning.
The identification of technologies has been supported by use of the Compendium of Technologies on
Converting Waste Agricultural Biomass into a Resource, which was developed by IETC in 2009.
IETC initiated a study on “Converting Waste Oil Palm Trees into a Resource” in partnership with
Forest Research Institute, Malaysia. During the reporting period the main activities carried out included
preparation of two reports; (a) baseline report on characterization and quantification of waste palm trees
with future projections in Malaysia (b) assessment of current waste palm trees management system,
practices and utilization at national and local levels.
IETC continued the implementation of the project “Converting Waste Plastics into Fuel” funded by theGovernment of Japan. The third and last phase of the three-year project involving demonstration activities,
is currently taking place. The implementation of the technologies for the conversion of waste plastics into
fuel is being undertaken in two cities in Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima where solid fuel is being produced in
the form of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and Phitsanulok, producing liquid fuel. In both cases operation andmaintenance plans have been developed and the performance of the technologies is being monitored. In
Cebu (Philippines), paper and wood fuel (RPF) is to be produced from plastic refuse. A local manufacturer,
as the supplier of the equipment, is currently working on the adaptation of the technology to suit local
conditions.
In order to support the project, a workshop on Waste Plastics Management in Developing Countries
was organized in cooperation with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology(AIST) from 1 to 4 March 2011, in Tsukuba, Japan. The objective of the workshop was to support the
project “Converting Plastic Waste into Fuel” by: (a) bringing together developing countries and technology
suppliers to discuss the problems encountered in technology transfer, and (b) bringing together partners
from the countries where the project is being implemented to share their experiences and learn from eachother.
IETC continued to work on issues relating to waste electrical and electronics equipment (WEEE) andelectronic waste. After launching manuals for inventories and management systems, IETC produced adraft manual on “take-back” systems for WEEE and electronic waste management. Subsequently a wellattended training workshop was organized for stakeholders including governments, the private sector,
academia and non-governmental organizations leading requests for IETC to continue its work in this field.
In the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) translated IETC manuals
into Chinese to build local capacity on electronic waste inventories and management systems.
IETC continued to refine its methodology for the assessment of technologies “Sustainable Assessmentof Technologies,” and is developing manual for further field tests and feedback.
IETC continued its collaborative activities with Kawasaki City, which commenced with the City’s firstannual Eco-Business Forum in 2005. The 7th Eco-Business Forum was held in Kawasaki on 14 and 15
February 2011 and followed by an International Eco-Tech Trade Fair (16-17 February). The Forum wasorganized in collaboration with the National Institute of Environmental Studies (NIES). The focus of IETC’s collaboration with Kawasaki City is the promotion of “eco-towns” in Asia, with pilot projects being
undertaken in Penang, Malaysia, Bandung, Indonesia, and Shenyang, China.
Water and Sanitation
IETC’s water and sanitation initiatives have been integrated into the following UNEP’s sub-programmes
and projects;

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Resource Efficiency sub-programme- Technology assessments, technology policy and environmentally sound technologies to empower
public and private organisations to advance resource efficiency;- Policies and Tools at the City Level: Best practices to improve waste management, water & sanitationand energy efficiency for sustainable urban development;
Ecosystem Management Sub-programme- Tools and methodologies for assessing and maintaining freshwater ecosystems/ Building capacity toincorporate ecosystem management into development processes.
Important milestone of the Iraqi Marshlands related project was that the national drafting team for theWorld Heritage nomination was officially appointed by the Iraqi Government. The drafting team is thecore to prepare and to finalize the nomination file for the World Heritage Committee to inscribe the Iraqi
Marshlands of Mesopotamia as a mixed site. It consists of two sub-teams for natural heritage parts andcultural parts, representing several relevant ministries. From now on, the project’s capacity building
activities will focus more on strengthening their capacity and skills to formulate the nomination file whichshould include all necessary components to protect the property in a sustainable way. Key challenges
will be to formulate the proper management planning and to identify risk factors and potential actions inaccordance with the World Heritage Operational Guideline. The project will continue to provide necessary
technical assistance to the team together with our strategic partners. Follow-up tasks associated with thecompletion of Phases I, II, and III of the Iraqi Marshland project at the end of 2009 were conducted during
this reporting period, including the external evaluation.
The Iraqi Marshlands Project evaluation of Phases I, II, and III by UNEP Evaluation Office (UNEP/EOU)
was initiated upon the closure of the project. The evaluation was carried out by one international and one
Iraqi national consultant. IETC facilitated to collect necessary information and to organize pilot project sites
for the overall evaluation. The full final report would be available.

Eco Art Festa Osaka 2011

Cooperation with IETC’s supporting organizations in Japan
IETC continued collaboration with its supporting foundations, Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC) in Osaka andInternational Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) in Shiga (up until the closure of IETC’s Shiga office at theend of March 2011) particularly to increase its visibility both within and outside Japan.
• Together with GEC, IETC participated in the One World Festival in Osaka from 5 to 6 February 2011 to make a panel
exhibition and to introduce its programme, projects, and activities to the visitors as well as to cooperate with a quiz rally
held at the venue.
• GEC organized two briefing sessions in Shiga and Osaka from 11 to 12 February 2011 for UNEP Special Envoy Ms.
Tokiko Kato to share the results of her overseas missions with the public. IETC delivered the opening address at thesession in Osaka.
• During the Environment Month in Osaka from 4 to 19 June 2011, IETC exhibited panels on its activities together with
GEC and Osaka City Government at the Eco Museum Osaka.
• Together with GEC, IETC participated in the Eco Ennichi (= Festival) Osaka at the Eco Museum Osaka from 11 to 12
June 2011 to make panels exhibition and to introduce its programme, project and activities to the visitors as well as tohold quiz games on IETC, GEC, and environment.
• Together with GEC, IETC attended the Osaka Tsurumi ward’s 37th Tsurumi Kumin Matsuri (= Festival) on 11 September
2011 and made joint panels exhibition to “support Tohoku” that was the festival’s main theme.
• Together with GEC, IETC made panels exhibition for the Osaka City’s international symposium on biodiversity at the
Osaka Museum of Natural History on 23 October 2011 and new IETC Director’s message was presented by GEC
Executive Director on his behalf.
• Together with GEC, IETC participated the Eco Art Festa Osaka 2011 organized by Osaka City at Osaka Port Tempozan
Harbor Village from 29 to 30 October 2011 to provide the participants with the information on environmental
conservation, especial on waste management.
Other Activities• UN Agencies in Japan jointly organized an International Women’s Day event in Tokyo on 8 March 2011 and IETC
provided information materials for display.
• To commemorate the World Environment Day 2011, an Osaka-based radio station (FM COCOLO) broadcasted a
special programme on UNEP and UNEP in association with the World Environment Day together with the topics onInternational Year of Forests and UNEP Billion Tree Campaign on 5 June 2011.
• IETC Director attended the UN Day@Tohoku event at the Tohoku University in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture on 24 October
2011, organized by UNIC Tokyo with the concerned UN offices in Japan to show UNEP’s respect to the commemorationof the earthquake and tsunami suffered by the Tohoku region in March 2011.

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GEC 2011