Kiko Network Annual Report2017

Japanese Climate NGO; Kiko Network

Achievements & Activities
2017 年 度 気 候 ネ ッ ト ワ ー ク 年 次 報 告 書

Highlites of 2017

The beginning of the end forthe "Age of Coal" in japan?
● Paris Agreement negotiations – Talanoa Dialogue aims to raise reduction targets tomeet Paris goals● Huge gap between Japan and the World - how to decarbonize our socio-economy● Coal on agenda - Legal challenges against coal launched in Japan
Kiko Network Annual Report 2017

Preface

Moving from Coal to 100% Renewables:
Progress and Challenges
In 2017, the process of global warming continued, as carbon dioxide concentration exceeded
400ppm, and the global average temperature increased to around 1 degree above pre-industrial
levels. Heavy rain caused great damage both in Japan and around the globe. While the worldurgently needs implementation of the Paris Agreement, our work in 2017 marked further progressin fighting coal fired power plants, and increased awareness of the need for 100% renewableenergy.
As well as running the “Don’t Go Back to the Sekitan (Coal)” and “Japan Coal Plant Tracker”
websites, we have supported local actions against coal fired power plants, including a case against Sendai Power Station that went to courtin September. In December we submitted a claim for pollution arbitration brought by nearly 500 local people against Kobelco's plans
to construct new coal fired power plants, and we have also been working with protest movements to fight plans to construct new coal
fired power plants in the Tokyo bay area. We believe that Kiko Network's decarbonization campaign has helped to achieve some greatoutcomes, including the cancellation of plans to build new coal fired power plants in Takasago and Ichihara.
In 2017, overseas movements toward decarbonization and the shift toward 100% renewable energy gave us a big boost. At COP23, it
became evident that some states, businesses and citizens in the US are still dedicated to the Paris Agreement, even against the backdrop of
the Trump administration. The UK, Canada and other countries delivered clear visions of decarbonization. In Japan, the NHK TV program“Impact of the Decarbonization Revolution” (broadcast on 17 December 2017) drove home the point that Japan is being left behind on the
global stage. The realization that the "age of coal" is over is steadily gaining ground throughout Japan.
Meanwhile, looking toward the revision of the Japanese government's basic energy plan, in which the Agency for Natural Resources
and Energy will play a central part, Kiko Network is insisting on a fundamental overhaul of the 2030 energy mix formulated by the
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2015, before the Paris Agreement was adopted. In order to achieve the 1.5 - 2°C goal of theParis Agreement, we need to put in place a long-term strategy to realize an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050, and change our energy
policy into one befitting of this strategy. We need to demonstrate a clear process for shifting away from the conventional approach, whichassumes coal and nuclear will provide the base load, toward denuclearization and decarbonization in which renewable energy plays thecentral role.
Unfortunately, the fifth basic energy plan does not determine the future course of Japan, and in fact does not even advance short term
countermeasures. Considering the fact that nuclear power provides only 1.7% of total electricity supply as of the end of 2017, and withfurther decommissioning in the pipeline, it is obvious to anyone that will not be possible for nuclear power to supply 20 – 30% of ourelectricity in 2030. Rather than being seriously promoted, renewable energy is being progressively strangled by regulations. The lack ofregulation for coal fired power plants raises the concern that the shortcomings of nuclear will be covered by coal.
The biggest obstacle to energy shift is that the will to change the framework of industry, the economy and society is not yet apparent.
Despite ratifying the Paris Agreement, Japan refuses to accept the objectives and goals of the Paris Agreement as national targets. Not
only citizens and consumers but also the business world will suffer if we miss this chance. Kiko Network will redouble its efforts topromote the spread of information.
Electricity, climate change and energy may be difficult problems for citizens to think about, but at the same time, they are problems
which can and should be guided by consumer choice. We will continue to promote further energy shift "starting at home", and to support
citizens and consumers who think and take action by themselves.

Mie Asaoka
President of Kiko Network

Table of Contents - Kiko Network Annual Report 2017
Greetings from the president: Moving from coal to 100% renewables - Progress and challenges ---------------------------------------

２

Our Achievements in 2017: Beginning of the end of the "Age of Coal" in Japan? ------------------------------------------------

３

Financial Report & List of Board Members -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

７

Our Activities in 2017: International Negotiations, National Advocacy, Local Activities -------------------------------------------

４

Our Achievement in 2017
Beginning of the End of the "Age of Coal" in Japan?

Local groups showed its opposition to new coal projects around Tokyo bay

Decarbonization essential if Paris targets are to beachieved

In its 2017 report, the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) stated that "Halting the construction of newcoal fired power plants and closing existing plants is vital toclosing the gap between current emissions and the Paris targets".
However, while the global move away from coal is gatheringplans. However, the fierce resistance put up by local citizens also
played a major role. Kiko Network has worked together with
regional anti-coal movements to promote discussion and spreadawareness at the national level, and considers this result as oneof its major achievements.

Sendai announces groundbreaking anti-coal policy

pace, Japan is defying the trend with plans for a total of 50 new

In December 2017, the city of Sendai in Miyagi prefecture

coal fired units emerging in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima

implemented a policy calling for a voluntary ban on plans fornuclear accident.

new coal fired plants within the city boundaries. This is the first

Since the nuclear accident, there has been a tendency tooverlook the problems associated with coal. However, Kiko

policy of its kind in Japan, and comes in response of the voicesof citizens calling for a shift away from coal.

Network has been quick to engage with the coal issue and spreadthe message with constructive proposals for a move away fromcarbon.

Many challenges still remain
As a result of Kiko Network's efforts, awareness of coal power
as a major social issue is finally beginning to gain ground in

Seven planned coal plants scrapped
Of the 50 planned coal fired power plants, seven have alreadybeen scrapped. Had these seven plants been built and comeJapan. This is now being tangibly reflected in the scrapping ofplans for new plants, the rise of citizens' movements, and local
government policies.

into operation, they would have emitted a combined total of

However, of the 50 planned coal fired plants, eight have

21.9 million tons of CO2 every year for decades. This is a hugealready come into operation while another 35 are currently inamount of CO2, equivalent to the annual emissions of 4.4 million

the planning stage. The government's official pro-coal stanceaverage Japanese households.

remains unchanged. Much work remains to be done if 2017 is

A reassessment of Japan's energy needs as society becomes
more energy-conscious is partly responsible for the change intruly to be remembered as the beginning of the end of the "ageof coal" in Japan.

Book now available: "Coal power Q&A: The global shift from coal"

Kiko Network's in-depth investigations and research up to 2017 are now available in a single volume. Questions suchas "Why is the world turning away from coal?" and "Why does Japan still promote coal?", as well as the risks of global
warming and atmospheric pollution from coal power, are addressed clearly and backed up with solid data. The
book also discusses the potential of renewables as an alternative. Available via bookstores, online booksellers, andthe Kiko Network website.Written and edited by Kiko Network. Published by Kamogawa Publishing Co. Ltd. Date of
publication: June 24, 20183

Our Activities in 2017
Construct International Mechanisms

UN Negotiations at COP23 Bonn/Fiji
Photo; Masayoshi Iyoda, Kiko Network

Putting together the Paris rulebook

Progress on global warming and agreement on the

Kiko Network believes that a global framework is needed if weTalanoa dialogue

are to achieve a global solution to climate change. We have been

The system for checking on the progress of global warming

attending the UN conferences and also keeping a close watch on

countermeasures under the Paris agreement has been named thenegotiations since COP3 (the Third Session of the Conference of"Talanoa dialogue". The Talanoa dialogue will begin in January

Parties to the UNFCCC), which led to the Kyoto protocol.

2018 and continue until the Katowice conference in December.

At COP23, presided over by Fiji in Bonn in 2017, the parties

If we are to achieve a large-scale reduction in greenhouse gas

agreed to produce a document (rulebook) setting out details

emissions, all countries need to raise their targets for action andfor implementing the Paris agreement. This rulebook will act

support by 2020, and again by 2030.

as the foundation on which negotiations are conducted. ThereJapan is no exception. We need to engage with the dialogue

were also agreements on how to move forward with the Talanoa

and be ready to raise our 2030 targets.

Dialogue to keep track of the progress on global climate changeWith or without Trump, decarbonization initiatives continue

in 2018, and on the process for expanding the scope of action
by 2020. The Bonn conference thus moved the preparations for
implementing the Paris Agreement another step forward.

The Trump administration's June 2017 announcement of
its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement raised
concerns of knock-on effects. However, the Bonn conference

However, these agreements amount to no more than thesaw continued progress. In fact, outside the conference venue,

foundations for negotiations and a process for improving

American political and business leaders made their presence

countermeasures. Opinions remain divided on many sensitive

felt by pledging their support for the Paris Agreement under theissues. The pace of the negotiations needs to increase if a single

banner of the #WeAreStillIn movement.

agreement is to be reached at COP24 in Katowice in 2018.

COP23 also marked the formation of the Powering Past CoalOnce again, Japan lurked in the shadows at COP23. Japan was

Alliance (PPCA), currently including 27 countries and regions.

heavily criticized for its coal-promoting policies at home andThis highlights the increasing shift away from carbon in theabroad, with Japan's will to achieve decarbonization once again

political sphere, and provides reassurance that this movement

being called into question.

shows no signs of slowing.

Japan wins Fossil of the Day award at COP23
The Japanese government was awarded the "Fossil of the Day" award at COP23. This"honor" is bestowed on the countries doing the most to hold back progress on global
warming. Japan took the award thanks to its Japan-United States Strategic Energy
Partnership which promotes coal and nuclear power in developing countries.
Photo; Yumi Sato

4

Our Activities in 2017
Japanese Climate Policy Advocacy

Global trends towards coal phase-out and 100% renewables

The gap between Japan and the world became increasingly

apparent in 2017

A year since the Paris Agreement came into force, the global trend

the Energy Situation Study Group. At the outset, before the discussions
even started, the minister for Economy, Trade and Industry clearlystated that there is to be no major revision to the basic energy plan.

towards 100% renewable energy is gathering pace and the introduction

From its earliest days, Kiko Network has recommended that theof renewable energy is accelerating. At the same time, many national

policy making process for the basic energy plan should reflect public

and local governments around the world have released statements

opinion, as well as shifting the emphasis from nuclear and coal toannouncing a move away coal fired power plants. This, together withenergy saving and renewable energy. In addition, we also have insisted

the founding of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, has steadily decreasedon the importance of a shift to policy which incorporates climate

the world’s reliance on coal fired power plants.

change strategy befitting the era of the Paris Agreement which was

On the contrary, in Japan, official discussions still repeat thetired and outdated mantras of renewable energy being unstable andexpensive. Japan is pushing plans for new coal fired power plants
through to the approval stage one after another.
Kiko Network has clearly highlighted this gap between Japanand the world, and in an attempt to redirect policy, stresses how far
Japan is being left behind by the world by flying in the face of theParis Agreement in its promotion of "high efficiency" coal fired power
generation. We have also detailed the inefficacy of nuclear power
generation as a measure against climate change. These issues are being
increasingly picked up by the media.

adopted and has come into force during the 3 years since the last
revision of the basic energy plan.
The plans ultimately agreed in July 2018 demonstrate a certain
degree of progress in the move toward renewable energy as a primary
power source. However, the overdependency on coal and nuclear
power remains, and there is no hint of an increase in greenhouse gas
reduction targets by 2030. Clearly, there are still many challenges toovercome.

Strengthening collaboration with environmental NGOs andcitizen organizations

Several environmental NGOs have cooperated to put together

Public awareness toward the problems not only with nuclear powerrecommendations for the direction of domestic energy policy, including

generation but also coal has widely spread, and the local movements

the revision of the basic energy plan. In July1017, e-shift (a groupagainst coal fired power plants are gaining momentum. Kiko Network

focusing on denuclearization and new energy policy), instigated thehas been working as a hub to bridge between local movements and“Citizens that change the basic energy plan project” ahead of the startnational level actions.

of government discussions. They produced a brochure on shifting

Approach to revision of the Japan's Basic Energy Plan
Discussions on the revision of the Japanese government's basic
energy plan began in August 2017. The government has adopted theunusual approach of discussing energy policy towards 2030 and the
response to the Paris Agreement by 2050 separately. The former isbeing discussed by the Basic Policy Subcommittee, and the latter byenergy policy away from nuclear and coal toward 100% renewableenergy, and also gathered petitions and held seminars. Kiko Network
played key roles in both the Green Alliance Japan in its work to publish“Green Watch”, a citizens' white paper on the environment, and also as
part of CAN-Japan with the launch of a platform for 100% renewableenergy in Japan.

In 2017, Climate Action Network Japan (CAN-Japan), administered by Kiko Network, launched
the "100% Renewable Energy Platform" to collect pledges and support for the switch to 100%
renewable energy in Japan. In November 2017, Chiba University of Commerce signed up to theplatform, becoming the first university in Japan to go 100% renewable. This project improves thevisibility of the trend toward renewable energy in Japan.

5Our Activities in 2017
Empowering Civil Movements for "Coal Phase-Out"

Legal actions made by local groups to stop new coal fired power plant projects

The accelerating trend from coal to renewables

Photo; Makoto Matsuura

Environmental impact assessment and opinion-gathering

Coal fired power plants are sources of air pollution and CO2 emissions,

Environmental assessment, in which businesses investigate theand are being fought by local residents living in areas where newenvironmental impact of their plans and invite public opinion onplants are planned. In 2017, Kiko Network continued to raise concerns

their findings, provides an important opportunity for citizens to maketogether with local residents. We continue to put forward proposals

their voices heard. However, documents are released in huge volumes

for the promotion of community-led renewable energy models as anrunning to thousands of pages, and are filled with impenetrable

alternative to coal.

technical terms. Moreover, many businesses make it impossible todownload or print these documents, frustrating the efforts of the public

Legal challenges against coal at the local level
For the first time, 2017 saw citizens in Japan resorting to legal
measures against coal fired power plants. While there have been manysuch cases abroad, this is the first time such cases have been brought inJapan. In Sendai and Kobe, local residents set up legal teams with help
from local lawyers inspired by the will of the people to protect theirlocal area.
Power for Tokyo, problems for Sendai

to examine the content in detail and submit comments.
In order to address this problem, Kiko Network, together with localgroups in Kobe, Yokosuka and Chiba, has examined these documents
in depth and produced reference guides summarizing the issues. These
guides have helped the public to submit their own comments. It is not
unusual for such environmental assessments to attract no more than a
handful of comments, whereas with the involvement of Kiko Network,
there have been cases in which the comments have numbered over a
thousand.

The trend started with an injunction case against Sendai Power
Station. 124 plaintiffs living close to the planned site in Miyagi
prefecture launched the case in an attempt to bring the operators toaccount. This case is the first of its kind against a coal fired power
plant in Japan. We continue to follow the case closely in 2018.
Kobelco: hauled over the coals
Next, in Kobe, nearly 500 residents of Hyogo prefecture launcheda joint claim for pollution arbitration against Kobelco (Kobe Steel Co.).
This was also the first pollution arbitration claim to be brought against
a coal fired power plant.

Kiko Network has been taking every opportunity to draw attention
to the issues surrounding coal fired power plants, while keeping aneye on the latest developments in plans for new plants. These issues
are now being picked up by various branches of the media, including
newspapers, TV, radio, and magazines, with over 300 such reports
in 2017. The Japanese public is finally beginning to realize that "theage of coal" is over.The headlong rush to build coal fired power plants
which was once such a cause for concern now appears to be subsiding,

These movements reveal the strength of local will to resist plans

and some local governments have even announced policies to reign infor coal fired power plants. Other industry figures are now starting toplans for new coal plants. Moreover, some businesses are now making

realize that the risk of lawsuits is one they now have to take seriously.

their wariness of coal public. Kiko Network will continue to walk hand-

Kiko Network has increased the momentum against coal fired power
plants and achieved visible results through its various approaches.

6"Coal" firmly on the national agenda

in-hand with local communities in the march away from coal power.

Financial Report & List of Board Members2017 Financial Report
There was a slight overall year-on-year decrease in incomings and outgoings in fiscal year 2017. The main reasons for this were adrop in donations and commission fees, with the balance of incomings and outgoings remaining steady. Since the balance includes
grants from different fiscal years and periods, some of the funds carried over are ring-fenced for projects in the coming year. Earnings
from commissions continue to constitute a large proportion of overall income.
In order for Kiko Network to meet its objectives, a significant and stable increase in income is needed. For this reason we are
currently considering whether to engage in profit-making activities. We are also continuing our efforts to increase the number ofmembers and donations in order to secure a sound financial basis for our organization.

Revenues (JPY)
Membership Fee

2,393,000

Donations

2,753,799

Subsidies

28,307,975

Remunerations / Participation Fee

Contract Business

45,604

Miscellaneous

62,69360,337,399

Expenditures (JPY)
1. Business Fees
Public Awareness

3,132,463

Surveys / Research / Proposals

3,322,310

Networking
Promotion /International/ Negotiations
Policy planning participation
Citizen / NGO support
GrantsMembership Fee
4.0%
Donations
4.6%

95,960Contract
Business
44.2%

26,678,368

Sales of Goods
Total

Miscellaneous
0.1%

Sales of Goods
0.1%

Subsidies
46.9%

Remunerations /Participation Fee
0.2%
Membership Fee
Subsidies
Contract Business
Miscellaneous

Donations
Remunerations / Participation Fee
Sales of Goods

Annual Revenue

996,693
1,423,847
617,000
21,091,640

Contract Businesses

26,681,868

Sub-toral

57,265,821

2. Management Fees

3,003,560

Total

60,269,381

Balance (JPY)Previous year’s balance (April 1st , 2017)

17,811,275

Current revenues

60,337,399

Current expenditures

60,269,381

March 31st , 2018 balance

17,879,293

Auditing Report

List of Board Members
President・Mie Asaoka

Tsuyoshi Hara

Vice President・Shunkai Suda

Shunichi Hiraoka

Kuniyasu Inoue

Kimiko Hirata

Takuma Kani

Takako Momoi

Hiroshi Kanda

Motohiro Yamazaki

Ayako Sakurada

Naoyuki Yamagishi

Yoshitsugu Sasaki

Juta Wada

Kenro Taura
Ken Tsuzuku

Auditor・Toshiyuki Ueda

Oomi Nishizono

Auditor・Yoshimichi Sakakibara

Ikumi Hara

Auditor・Shigenori Fukushima

As of September 2018. random order7

Annual Report 2017o!

ik
Kiko! KThe work of Kiko Network can only be achieved with the help of our supporters.
There are many ways you can help, including becoming a member, donating, volunteering, assisting with joint
research, and campaigning.
Kiko Network would like to thank all its supporters for their current and future contributions to changing thesociety we live in as we head toward a sustainable global society.
CONTACT US
Kyoto Office #305 Takakura Bldg. Takakura-dori, Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8124, JAPAN
TEL:+81-75-254-1011, FAX:+81-75-254-1012, E-mail:kyoto@kikonet.org
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TEL:+81-3-3263-9210, FAX:+81-3-3263-9463, E-mail:tokyo@kikonet.org

Kiko Network (https://www.kikonet.org)

September 30, 2018

Change the rule, not our climate.