Various International Approaches to Climate Change Mitigation Outreach Based on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement, OECC has been proactively engaged in research for planning and implementation, support for the formulation of national laws and regulations, and support for climate change measures among cities. In addition, OECC has been focusing on its support for the establishment of GHG measurement, reporting and verification system (MRV) in response to the growing need for assistance related to national reporting and GHG inventory preparation scheduled for submission in 2024 as stipulated in Article 13 of the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, with regard to the transparency of GHG emissions of businesses in the private sector, OECC is providing support for establishing and operationalizing transparency systems and improving access to Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) investments. In the future, we will also promote efforts to visualize GHG emissions through the supply chain, which involves emissions calculation and reporting (including Scope 3) from the perspective of promoting GHG emission reductions across the world.   Support for the Establishment and Implementation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Climate Change Master Plan and Verification of Target Achievement OECC has been engaged in capacity-building support for the establishment and implementation of a Climate Change Master Plan for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) of Thailand since 2009. Through a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) technical cooperation project, the BMA was the first to establish and implement a full-scale master plan, resulting in a 24% reduction, far exceeding […]

Role of the OECC in the JCM The Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center, Japan (OECC) has played a central role in the diffusion of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), a scheme by which the Japanese government assists the implementation of projects for GHG emission reductions in other countries by private companies etc., right from the initial period (in 2013). Collaborating with governments in the partner countries and Japanese companies, our staffs with expert knowledge and know-how provide support for the introduction of decarbonized infrastructure based on the developmental needs in the partner countries, the overseas expansion of business by Japanese companies, and the development of JCM projects. In addition, the OECC examines market mechanisms tied to the JCM and carbon trading as well as trends in carbon markets, and disseminates the latest information, including that gained through its participation in COP meetings and other forums of international negotiation, through the “Carbon Markets Express“, which is the website of the Ministry of the Environment and managed by the OECC. Furthermore, it also supports the process of inspection of JCM projects and amounts of GHG emission reduction by third party entities (for confirmation of validation and verification). Click here for a PDF showing the OECC’s record of supporting JCM project formation.   Example of approaches: Development of projects for the introduction of amorphous high-efficiency transformers in distribution networks As noted above, the OECC provides support from the project development stage to that of formation as a JCM project. One such example is its […]

International Climate Change Adaptation Arrangements In addition to the 1.5-2.0°C targets, articles 2 and 3 of the Paris Agreement aim to improve capacity to adapt to climate change and make finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low GHG emissions and climate-resilient development. Article 7 also states that the Parties must establish global adaptation goals by enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change as a means of addressing the adverse effects of climate change. Parties must also work on adaptation planning and implementation of actions, recognizing the importance and necessity of assistance and international cooperation. Under this international agreement, Overseas Environmental cooperation Center (OECC) is implementing a variety of measures to adapt to climate change in developing countries.   Support for Building Climate Change Adaptation Information Platforms in Developing Countries Climate change adaptation efforts are required to be implemented widely by various actors and in various situations, including central and local governments, private companies, academic institutions, and civil society. Under these circumstances, many developing countries lack information on climate change. This warrants a need for information collection and maintenance. In Thailand and Indonesia, OECC has been providing technical support for the establishment of climate change adaptation information platforms and is working to cooperate with the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT) established and operated by the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan. Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT) Website (NIES website)   Capacity Development for Officials of Developing Countries OECC has been organizing and […]

Measures Against Fluorocarbons Emissions to Address Global Climate Change Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) have a history of use as refrigerants in air conditioners and refrigerators. Under the Montreal Protocol, the production and consumption of these have been regulated and effectively controlled. On the other hand, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have been introduced as non-ODS alternatives, are strong GHGs requiring control from the perspective of combating climate change. Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC) is serving as the secretariat for the Fluorocarbons Initiative on Life Cycle Management (IFL) launched by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan in December 2019. OECC promotes the international dissemination of information on the importance of switching to refrigerants with no or low Global Warming Potential (GWP). This is aimed at preventing leakage when refrigeration and air conditioning equipment are used and to recover, reclaim and destroy refrigerants from equipment earmarked for disposal. In addition, the project provides support to developing countries in Southeast Asia and elsewhere in establishing relevant laws and schemes, formulating technical manuals, and organizing trainings.   Leading the International Community in Disseminating Information on Fluorocarbons and Climate Change Measures In accordance with the Montreal Protocol, ODS’ are under phase-out of production and consumption whilst HFCs – which do not deplete the ozone layer but have a high greenhouse effect – are to be phased down. However, until those regulations are tightened, measures against ODS’ and HFCs on the market (so-called ‘fluorocarbon banks’) are out of the scope of the […]

Promotion of the Co-benefits Approach Coal that is used for heating in Mongolia results in severe air pollution. This is especially the case in Ulaanbaatar, the country’s capital city, where the rate of air pollution has deteriorated sharply since around 2010. The average concentration of PM2.5 in 2016 was 5 times more than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual mean concentration guideline, reaching 80 times the guideline in December of the same year. The number of deaths caused by air pollution in Mongolia that year was approximately 3,700. To overcome this situation, OECC has engaged in co-benefit-type environmental cooperation since 2013 to simultaneously reduce air pollutants (SOx, NOx, Dust) and GHGs (CO2 and its equivalents). With a focus on district heating systems, we are working with the governments and companies of Japan and Mongolia to develop projects that convert coal-fired boilers to gas boilers resulting in heat sources that do not emit air pollutants.   Demonstration of Co-benefits Effect in Mongolia Mongolia has a high dependence on coal as a heating fuel. Since 2010, air pollution has been a serious problem due to an increase in coal burning in rapidly populated urban areas. Starting in 2013,　OECC has been addressing this problem by increasing the efficiency of coal-fired hot water supply boilers (HOB) which is one of the causes of air pollution. In 2016, we achieved a 28% reduction in CO2 emissions, a 76% reduction in NOx pollution, a 28% reduction in SOx pollution, and a 59% reduction in soot and […]

International Cooperation on Air Pollution and DSS Control in Asia Against the background of economic development in Asia, air pollution such as PM2.5, photochemical oxidant and other suspended particulate matter continue to affect the health of many people, hence the importance of promoting international cooperation on transboundary pollution. The cooperation on air pollution, Dust and Sand Storms (DSS) between Japan, China and Korea has been underway for many years under the Tripartite Environment Ministers’ Meeting (TEMM), with Mongolia having recently joined. OECC has been supporting these cooperation activities since 2009 on consignment from the Ministry of the Environment, Japan.   Support for Joint Research on DSS Monitoring, Forecasting, Prevention and Control Measures between Japan, China, Korea and Mongolia OECC has been supporting the activities of DSS researchers and experts in the Northeast Asian region as the designated secretariat of the TEMM DSS Joint Research which consists of two DSS working groups（WG）: WGI for DSS monitoring network and early warning systems and WGII for DSS prevention and control measures. OECC facilitates annual working group meetings and supports the implementation of the WG five-year action plan. In recent years, in view of the growing interest in the relationship between DSS and climate change, and the fact that dust storms are an issue in some regions outside Northeast Asia, OECC has expanded its work, including further promoting research exchange activities and holding seminars.   Prospects for International Cooperation in Combating Air Pollution and DSS Thanks in part to various international cooperation and self-help […]

Support for the Promotion of Appropriate Chemicals Management In recent years, the market for chemicals and chemical products has expanded rapidly due to economic globalization. Concurrently, concerns about the effects of their manufacture and use on human health and the environment have been growing, leading to stricter regulations and management on chemicals in many countries and the promotion and harmonization of international regulations and management, mainly by the United Nations and the OECD. OECC promotes appropriate chemicals management in Japan and other countries – especially developing countries – taking into account the initiatives of international organizations such as the UN and other countries in Europe, the USA and other regions. Specifically, OECC provides support for improving the level of understanding of chemicals management and enhancing the capability of industries and other concerned parties to respond to initiatives in foreign countries on chemical management. In addition, OECC supports the harmonization and establishment of systems in Asian countries and supports the development of chemicals management policies in Japan for harmonization with international efforts.   Support for the Improvement of the Level of Understanding Chemical Management and the Enhancement of the Capability of Industries, etc. to Respond to Initiatives in Foreign Countries on Chemical Management The Network for Strategic Response on International Chemical Management was established in 2007, mainly by the Ministry of the Environment, relevant ministries and agencies involved in chemicals management, chemical companies and various other stakeholders in Japan. The Network is promoting activities aimed to improve the level of understanding […]

Capacity Development for Building a Sound Material-cycle Society/Circular Economy Urbanization and economic development have led to the global expansion of the socio-economic system of mass production and mass disposal. As a result of this, wasteful use of the earth’s resources and waste-related problems are occurring, leading to problems such as adverse effects on human health and the environment. This is a particularly serious problem in developing countries which have not yet developed the systems, technologies and infrastructure needed to address these environmental issues. OECC provides a wide range of support for waste management issues in developing countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere. The support covers on-site operation and management guidance for the development of systems and institutions to the introduction of environmental technologies and infrastructure in order to build a sound material-cycle society/circular economy.   Field Surveys and Technical Cooperation Projects on Solid Waste Management in Developing Countries OECC implements technical cooperation projects with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) or other organizations in order to build sound material-cycle society/circular economies in developing countries. We provide a wide range of technical assistance mainly to Asian and African countries, from the formulation of detailed project plans, capacity development for solid waste management, support for the introduction of environmental technologies and infrastructure, to the holding of seminars in the field. Also, OECC has supported the implementation of the “African Clean Cities Platform” launched by JICA in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and other stakeholders.   Support […]

Nature-based Solutions ： A Solution that Addresses Climate Change and Biodiversity Issues in an Integrated Manner Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a concept proposed by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2009. It is defined as “Actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits” (IUCN, 2016). In recent years, the role of NbS has received increased attention and recognition in international discussions related to biodiversity and climate change adaptation, agreeing that climate change and biodiversity should now be addressed as one. OECC is engaged in research and project formation related to nature-based carbon credits such as afforestation, REDD+ and blue carbon (seaweed beds and mangrove plantations), as well as Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR), which is included in the NbS concept.   Study on Mangrove Plantation Project in the Visayas Islands, Philippines In 2022, OECC conducted a study of a mangrove plantation project in the Visayas Islands in the Philippines as part of the Forestry Agency’s work to utilize the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) for forest conservation and afforestation projects in developing countries. This afforestation project has been conducted by Kanepackage, Co., Ltd. since 2009 as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in cooperation with local communities, local governments, and related ministries and agencies. To date, more than 13 million mangrove trees have been planted through this project. OECC is calculating the volume of GHGs absorbed by mangrove plantations, conducting […]

International Approaches to Marine Environmental Protection In recent years, marine pollution caused by dumping of waste, industrial and domestic wastewater entering the ocean, in addition to rising seawater temperatures due to climate change, are growing causes for concern. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include the reduction of marine pollution from land-based sources whilst the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted the “30X30 target” (30% of Earth’s land and sea to be conserved by 2030). However, developing countries have made little progress in implementing measures related to water quality. OECC supports the Ministry of the Environment, Japan by arranging expert presentations and opinion-exchange events in developing countries, as well as organizing seminars in Japan, as part of our efforts to conserve the marine environment.   Activities Abroad: Support for Organizing Opinion-exchange Meetings and Seminars on Marine Plastic Litter at Environment Week Marine pollution caused by marine plastic litter is a problem all over the world. OECC is serving as the secretariat for ‘Environment Week’, an event jointly held by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan and relevant ministries and agencies from developing countries. Each year since 2020, OECC has supported the exchange of opinions and the holding of seminars on waste management, including marine plastic litter, to encourage developing countries to strengthen their measures.   Activities in Japan: Organizing Seminars for the Public on the Issue of Marine Plastic Litter In the EU, initiatives such as the formulation of a ‘Plastics Strategy’ towards zero disposable plastics are underway. In Japan, the […]