Kiko Network
Annual Report

2018

Change Society, Not the Climate.
People Power, 100% Renewables for All

Highlights of 2018

Goodbye, Coal!
Kiko Network Annual Report 2018

Our Achievements in 2018

Greeting

Making the Paris Agreement Work

Goodbye, Coal! Moving Japan Closer to a Coal Exit

Respecting the Historic Significance of the Paris Agreement
Implementing the Paris Agreement: A crucial year for science and international consensus
The year 2018 was the third year since the historic Paris Agreement was adopted, and yet another year in which
its true historic significance again came into question. Yet, one could call it a big turning point, nationally andinternationally, in efforts to make the agreement truly effective.
One major step was at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change in Katowice, Poland in December, which adopted detailed operational rules for the Paris Agreement (except for Article 6). This
showed that regulatory preparations to implementation the agreement from 2020 onwards could make steady progress in spite of thepolicy directions taken by the Trump administration in the United States.
Second, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also published its “Global Warming of 1.5°C” special report in 2018,

Victories for the anti-coal movement in Tokyo Bay

with its contents deeply shocking people around the world. It showed that a rise in global temperature of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
will severely impact the climate system and ecosystems, that a rise of 2°C would bear even graver consequences, that if things continue
at this rate a 1.5°C warmer world could become reality as early as 2030, and that to prevent the temperature from climbing even higher
global emissions would have to reach net zero by 2050.

Latest science shows that climate change literally threatens life on Earth

Progress toward a phase-out of coal power

Divestment from coal power

The year 2017 could be dubbed “Year One for Zero Coal.” It

Even before the Paris Agreement, there was a global wave of

was a year in which awareness really began to catch on about

financial institutions divesting from companies involved in fossil

In the realm of science, a method known as event attribution (EA) has identified the negative effects of climate change not as something

the problem of coal-fired power plants and their enormous CO2

fuels (especially coal). Kiko Network has worked with other NGOs

general or abstract, but as something that directly endangers human lives. In July 2018, severe heatwaves and torrential rainfall wrought

emissions. Just one year later, in 2018, we made steady progress,

to highlight the importance of divestment. However, contrary to

havoc all over western Japan, killing many people and impairing the livelihoods of even more. Using this methodology, Japan’s meteorological

one step at a time, on the path to say goodbye to coal.

the situation in other countries, there were previously very few

agency showed that human-induced global warming had increased the probability of negative impacts from last year’s heatwaves by 20%
and extreme precipitation events by 7%.
Scientists estimate that global warming of 1.5°C could lead to a 40% increase in the number of extremely hot days within 11 years. A
temperature rise of 1.5°C is no longer viewed as an abstract risk in the distant future, but literally as an imminent threat to life. This also
shows the extent to which climate change has progressed.

Fighting delays in climate action, working for real change to affirm the Paris Agreement’s historic importance
Despite this context, Japan and many other nations are still slow to adopt tougher targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions andstrengthen national policies. The year 2018 will be remembered as the year in which our children, who will be the real victims of climatechange, began to challenge this generation’s actions under the Paris Agreement. The actions of Greta Thunberg, a 16-year old girl who
conducted a sit-down strike in front of the Swedish parliament and initiated school strikes that have inspired children worldwide, continue
to grow and challenge all of us. We must ensure that the lack of awareness and negligence by the generations and nations responsible forclimate change do not end up undermining the importance of the Paris Agreement.
For Kiko Network, too, the effort continues. Above all, I should give special mention to our various activities relating to coal-fired power
plants and our support for lawsuits aimed at halting the construction of new coal-fired power plants in Kobe and Yokosuka. Activities
including efforts to stop coal power plant construction projects in Chiba Prefecture also yielded big successes in 2018.
We hope that our actions and those of people all over the world will continue to spread and grow in order to ensure that the Paris
Agreement indeed can be recognized as a treaty of truly historic significance.

Mie Asaoka
President, Kiko Network

Kiko Network Annual Report 2018 — Table of Contents
Greeting: Making the Paris Agreement Work・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ ２
Our Achievements in 2018: Goodbye, Coal! Progress Made Towards the Phase-Out of Coal・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・３

In November 2018, Kiko Network published a proposal—thecases of divestment among Japanese financial institutions.

first of its kind in Japan—to shut down all coal power plants in

But the tide changed in 2018. As a first in Japan, in May, Dai-

this country by 2030. Our “Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path toichi Life Insurance Co. announced a new policy not to provide

Phase-Out Coal by 2030” report attracted much attention (seeproject financing for the construction of coal-fired power plants

also page 5). As citizen campaigns to move beyond coal haveoverseas. Then one by one, Japan’s big three banks—Mizuho

continued to grow all over Japan, we have witnessed a series

Bank, MUFG Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation—of coal plant construction projects being cancelled. In 2018 weannounced their own divestment policies for coal power.

could definitely sense that change starts with the people, with

There are certainly loopholes in their policies, and Japan isbusiness, and with communities.

still far from the level of effort required to be consistent with

Large coal power plant projects halted

the Paris Agreement, but these positive changes could be seen

Targeting numerous plans that were coming forward in Japan toconstruct new mega-sized coal-fired power plants, Kiko Network

as a sign of progress in Japan. We will continue calling for
improvements and the further expansion of divestment policies.

launched various actions in 2012 aimed at monitoring andCitizen lawsuits against coalhalting these new projects.

Continuing from the previous year, 2018 saw new lawsuits

Plans emerged for the construction of several new coal-fired

calling for an end to coal power, launched by citizen groups

power plants along the shores of Tokyo Bay. Aiming to block

working together with Kiko Network. Citizens initiated a civil

these projects, Kiko Network launched campaigns in 2017 andlawsuit and administrative litigation (targeting the government)

began to act in cooperation with the affected communities.

to fight plans by Kobe Steel Ltd. to build new coal power

In the year 2018 we had major wins, including two projectgenerating units in the city of Kobe. This was Japan’s firstcancellations. One was in the city of Chiba, proposed by Chugoku

administrative litigation lawsuit seeking to make the government

Electric Power and JFE Steel Corporation (one unit of 1,070

stop supporting coal power. It challenges the government’sMW), and the other in Sodegaura, proposed by Tokyo Gas,

responsibility for recklessly approving the construction of coal-

Kyushu Electric Power and Idemitsu Kosan (two units at 1,000

fired power plants despite flawed environmental assessments.

MW each). These were major victories for “citizen power” as

It is unacceptable to be constructing new coal power plants

a result of the collaboration between Kiko Network and local

today. They pollute the atmosphere and go counter to what iscommunities, a movement that coalesced into the Citizens Groupdemanded by climate policy. The citizens are rising up, and theiron Coal Power in Tokyo Bay.

legal battles are gaining traction. Kiko Network will continue topush for progress toward a "coal exit" through judicial processes.

Our Activities in 2018: International Negotiations, National Adovocacy, Local Activities・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・４
Financial Report and List of Board Members・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ ７

Cover Photo・Fridays For Future Kyoto, March 15th, 2019（Photo: Masayoshi Iyoda）

Sekitan Majin is a coal-addicted gremlin from underground who wants to rebuild
a Coal Empire. Our hero Anti Coal Man beats the challengers one by one to savethe climate. Kiko Network created these manga characters for public outreach.

→

→

3

Our Activities in 2018

Our Activities in 2018

Building an International Framework

Adoption of a "Paris Rulebook" at COP24 in Katowice

Promoting Climate Action in Japan

Global citizens criticizing Japan's pro-coal policy at COP24

Photo; Masayoshi Iyoda, Kiko Network

Adoption of a "Paris Rulebook"

Mainstreaming narratives for decarbonization

Advocacy on Japan’s climate policies

To solve the global climate crisis, a global framework is needed.

The year 2018 was also a year in which we could see the global

The Paris Agreement calls on each government to prepare a

Kiko Network has continued to participate in UN climate

trend toward decarbonization.

“long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategy”

conferences for years, including the meetings that produced theFirst, Germany, which still produces coal and is committed

Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, and we continue toto end the use of nuclear power, decided to exit from coal-monitor international negotiations.

fired electricity production by 2038 at the latest. Such a move

At COP24 in Katowice, Poland in 2018, a “rulebook” containing

should be easier for Japan, as it is not a coal-producing country.

detailed implementation guidelines was negotiated under the

Attempting to match Germany’s ambition, Kiko Network

Paris Climate Agreement. Kiko Network collaborated withproduced the “Japan Coal Phase-Out” report as a national

Climate Action Network, a global network uniting 1300 NGOs,
for advocacy targeting governments.

roadmap and circulated it in Japan.
Meanwhile, the 100% renewable energy trend has picked

COP24 produced a certain degree of consensus. A mechanism

up steam all over the world. In August 2018, CAN-Japanwas created for all nations to share information on their(Kiko Network serves as the secretariat) and Japan-Climate

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including mutual

Leaders' Partnership, together with ICLEI Japan, the Ministry ofverification and continuously raising their ambition toward

Environment, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized an

decarbonization. It is based on the participation of all countries,

international symposium entitled “Towards the Realization of awhile allowing developing countries some flexibility. Discussions

100% Renewable Energy Society.” Multi-stakeholder approaches

on market mechanisms and some other issues were postponed

were discussed and positive messages shared.

for future meetings. Another important focus of the conference

However, in October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on

was the call for all nations to strengthen their efforts to reachClimate Change (IPCC) released its “Global Warming of 1.5°C”

zero emissions. Unfortunately, the Japanese government failed toreport containing the latest science, showing that while themake any outstanding contribution to discussions.

urgency of the climate crisis is rising, climate actions are lagging

In fact, Japan barely showed its presence at COP24. On top

behind what is needed. In 2019, the UN Climate Summit in New

and submit it to the UN by 2020. Although the declaration
resulting from the G7 Ise-Shima Summit hosted by Japan
in 2016 indicates that the long-term strategies should beformulated well before 2020, the Japanese government was slow
to work on drafting its own long-term strategy, with discussions
being steadily postponed even in 2018.

To be consistent w ith the Paris Ag reement, a majortransformation of Japan’s energy system is needed. Kiko
Network is continuing to advocate at the national level to ensurethat actions of citizens, communities, and businesses can lead topolicy reforms and the massive transformation we need to see.

Calling for transparent policy processes
In 2018 the climate crisis became more obvious to everyone,with a series of abnormal weather events plaguing Japan in theform of torrential rainfall, extreme high temperatures, and large-

Kiko Network urged the government to create a long-term

scale typhoons. Slowly but surely, the general public is becoming

strategy that will work towards the goal of limiting the rise in

more aware that the frequent occurrence of extreme weather

global temperature to below 1.5°C and the early realization of aevents is closely linked to climate and energy policy. A growing

decarbonized society, and to submit it to the UN. However, Japan’s

number of people has started to speak up against things likeclimate policy ended up being significantly influenced by the national

constructing new coal-fired power plants, saying such plans are“Fifth Strategic Energy Plan” which puts an emphasis on nuclear andout of touch with the times.

coal power.

The flaws in Japan’s energy plan
The Fifth Strategic Energy Plan was adopted by the Cabinet in
July 2018. It marks the first revision to Japan’s energy plan since
the Paris Agreement was adopted. It does contain wording about"the decarbonized society," but makes no major changes to its
policies, and in fact the focus on coal and nuclear remains.

Kiko Network continued to act based on its slogan of “Stopping
climate change with the power of the people,” continuing to give
shape to public opinion and insert it into processes like the one
behind the revision of Japan’s Basic Energy Plan. In an era when
citizens are finding it difficult to have their thoughts and opinions
reflected in policy (not just in relation to climate change, but ingeneral), information disclosure and public participation in themaking of policy is crucial to create an environment where there

The government’s planned energy mix for 2030 (nuclear

is hope for the future. In that context, Kiko Network’s activities

20-22%, renewables 22-24%, coal 26%, LNG 27%, petroleum

such as requests for information disclosure are based on theto work toward achieving a zero carbon society was also called3%) remains unchanged as well. In fact, an in-depth regulatory

spirit of democracy.

into question.

program was even designed, outlining in detail the reforms of theof that, the island nation was harshly criticized for its policy of
promoting coal power both at home and abroad. Its commitment

York and COP25 in Santiago will put the spotlight on whether or
not countries will increase their efforts.

electricity market needed to help achieve that energy mix. One

Supporting the youth movement: “Fridays for Future” in Japan
In the summer of 2018, demanding solutions for the climate crisis, Swedish high schoolof the “best” examples of this is the so-called “capacity market”
system, which preserves nuclear and coal power.

student Greta Thunberg started a protest in front of the Swedish parliament building.
Thanks to the media, news of her initiative spread around the world like a wildfire, andstarted to influence national and local government policies. To leaders, Greta says, “I want
you to panic. I want you to act as if our house is on fire.”4

As of April 2018, there were 117 coal-burning units at power plants in Japan. They started operating many

Kiko Network supports the young people who have started Fridays for Future in Japan.

years ago and generate power very inefficiently. Our report, released in 2018, proposes a phase-out of all

In March 2018, we collaborated with the “Fridays for Future” actions in Kyoto and Tokyo,

these power plants by 2030 on a concrete and practical timeline. Our report also requests the government

which have been picked up by numerous media outlets.
Photo; Anders Hellberg“Japan Coal Phase-Out: The Path to Phase-Out Coal by 2030”

and coal power companies to make related information available to the public.
*This report is available in English on our website: https://www.kikonet.org/eng/Japan-Coal-Phadse-out

5Our Activities in 2018

Promoting Decarbonization at the Local Level

Financial Report and List of Board Members
Kiko Network Financial Report for Fiscal 2018
FY2018 Revenues

In fiscal 2018,* revenues grew by approximately 50% compared tothe previous year, mainly due to an increase in grants and subsidies,

Category

while expenditures rose by around 20%, mainly associated withMemberships

increased grants and subsidies. At the end of the fiscal year, the netbalance of revenues versus expenditures was positive. However,since the balance includes grants from different time periods, someof the funds carried over are restricted for use during the first half

Amount (JPY)

Donations

2,066,090

Grants

57,189,950

Honorariums, etc.

28,439,468

Sales

385,090

Other revenues

decreased slightly. We have new cooperation and interactions with

Total

strengthen our organizational base and activities, and are also
Kiko Network supported the launch of TERA Energy

constantly striving to utilize grant and contract funds effectively.
*Note: Our 2018 fiscal year was from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

FY2018 Expenditures
Category

Amount (JPY)

1. Program expenditures
Outreach

3,234,949

Research and advocacy

3,327,365

Network building
International negotiations and policy work924,268
1,293,975

Supporting local suppliers of renewables“Children’s Eco-Life Challenge” in Malaysia

Kiko Network is promoting renewable energy as a local resource.

In Kyoto, Kiko Network is running a climate change education

The consumption of gasoline, electricity and heat typically means

program called “Children’s Eco-Life Challenge.” The Iskandarthat money flows out local a community as the cost of energy.

region in Malaysia has launched its own environmental education

2. Administrative expenditures

Knowing this, we have been supporting the establishment ofproject modeled on the Kyoto program. To help this growSalaries

1,540,756

local power producers and suppliers (PPS). This is a new typefurther, Kiko Network collaborated with the Kyoto Environmental

Travel132,470of company that arose in the context of Japan’s electricity

Activities Association.

Communications and shipping

189,561

market liberalization, aiming to create a circular local economy

environmental education coordinators, around 400 were trained

renewable energy.

as volunteers, the Eco-Life Challenge program was held at over

TERA Energy (https://tera-energy.com) is an example of such

400 schools, and model courses were offered at 60 schools. Thisa company, established mainly by Buddhist monks. Its profits areproject is expected to be implemented in Johor Bahru state next

given back to the community through the temple to help address

and then expanded to all of Malaysia.

various local issues. Its power supply services are set to start in

Climate action education and capacity building projects

region and eventually to the whole of Japan.
Kiko Network is also supporting various other projects all overJapan.

Projects to promote renewable energy- The 10th National Forum of Citizen's Co-owned Renewable
Energy Powerplants in Iida

Community and NGO support

30,523,131

Contract-funded programs

28,442,125

92,243

Office rent

301,287

Printing

107,410

Employee benefits

321,014Taxes

186,065
Administrative subtotal

Total- “Children’s Eco-Life Challenge” program in Kyoto (164schools)- Support for “Children’s Eco-Life Challenge” elsewhere in
Japan (in prefectures including Okayama, Shimane, Oita,

Honorariums, etc.

Contracts

Other revenues

etc.)

Revenue Breakdown- Renewable Energy School Kyoto in 2018

- Survey of Municipalities on Climate and Energy Policies

139,194
3,010,000
71,402,801

Revenues and expenditures

Donations

68,392,801

Supplies

Other expenditures

Memberships

646,988

Grant-funded programs
Program subtotal

During the three-year project, 17 participants were trained as

and address local issues by promoting energy efficiency andthe Chugoku region in June 2019, then expand to the Kansai

FY2018 results

GrantsOpening balance

17,879,293

Sal esTotal revenues

90,738,823

Total expenditures

71,402,801

Closing balance (March 31, 2019)37,215,315

Closing balance (restricted portion)

26,675,819

Closing balance (unrestricted portion)

10,539,496

List of Board Members- The Power Shift campaign to transform energy companies
President Mie Asaoka

Tsuyoshi Hara

Vice President Shunkai Suda

Shunichi Hiraoka

Kuniyasu Inoue

Kimiko Hirata

Takuma Kani

Takako Momoi

Hiroshi Kanda

Motohiro Yamazaki

Kiko Network staff joined a symposium on

Ayako Sakurada

Naoyuki Yamagishi

climate education projects held in Iskandar,

Yoshitsugu Sasaki

Juta Wada

Malaysia.（November, 2018）

Kenro Taura- The Renewable Energy 100% Platform in Japan

6827
90,729,833

companies and organizations, but expect membership and donation
working to boost memberships and donations in order to further

298,408

Contractsof fiscal 2019. Revenues from membership fees and donations haverevenues to remain at roughly the same level. We will continue

2,350,000

Ken Tsuzuku

Auditor; Toshiyuki Ueda

Oomi Nishizono

Auditor; Yoshimichi Sakakibara

Ikumi Hara

Auditor; Shigenori Fukushima(As of June 2019, in random order)

7

Kiko Network Annual Report 2018

September 27th, 2019

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There are many ways you can help, including becoming a member, donating, volunteering, assistingwith joint research, and campaigning.
Kiko Network would like to thank all its supporters for their current and future contributions tochanging the society we live in as we head toward a sustainable global society.

@kikonetwork

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kikonetwork

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Change the rules, not our climate.