Climate Change

The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP17), and the 4th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA4), as well as the 57th session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, were held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt from November 6th to November 20th.

From Japan, Minister of the Environment NISHIMURA Akihiro participated in ministerial meetings which were held in the second week of the conferences. In addition, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Financial Services Agency, the Forestry Agency, and the Japan Meteorological Agency participated in the conferences.

At COP27, the cover decision “Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan”, which calls for Parties to strengthen their actions in each area of climate change countermeasures, and the “Mitigation Work Programme”, which aims to scale up mitigation ambition and implementation, were adopted. In addition, funding arrangements for responding to loss and damage with the establishment of a loss and damage fund, and the establishment of the transitional committee on the operationalization of the new funding arrangement were also decided.

(1) COP/CMA Decision ”Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan”

The Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan was decided, which includes the following topics such as Science and urgency; Enhancing ambition and implementation; Energy; Mitigation; Adaptation; Loss and damage; Early warning and systematic observation; Implementation-pathways to just transition; Finance; Technology transfer and deployment; Capacity-building; Transparency; Taking stock; Article 6 of the Paris Agreement; Ocean; Forest; and Enhancing implementation action by non-Party stakeholders. This plan recalls the COP26 cover decision “Glasgow Climate Pact”, and calls upon Parties to strengthen their actions in the areas of mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance and others.

In terms of mitigation, the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan recognizes the importance of the implementing actions aligned with the 1.5ºC goal, and requests all Parties that have not yet done so to revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets in their NDCs to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goal by the end of 2023. In addition, the plan calls upon Parties to accelerate their efforts including the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Moreover, the Minister of the Environment, NISHIMURA participated in the High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on Pre-2030 Ambition, which was decided to be established in the Glasgow Climate Pact.
In terms of climate finance, the plan establishes the Sharm el-Sheikh Dialogue on Article 2.1 (c) of the Paris Agreement, which stipulates to make the global finance flows consistent with the objectives of the Agreement, and decides to make a report on developed country Parties’ efforts in doubling of their adaptation finance that was decided in the Glasgow Climate Pact.
Other paragraphs of the plan mention to the need to address climate change and biodiversity loss in a comprehensive and synergetic manner, the role of cities, and just transition.

In the negotiations, Japan stressed that all Parties should continue to take ambitious climate actions, built on the Glasgow Climate Pact. In particular, mitigation actions aiming for achieving the 1.5°C goal should not be stalled under the current international circumstances, and, to this end, Japan suggested the plan include the need for all Parties to submit strengthened NDCs and Long-term Strategies aligned with the 1.5°C goal.

(2) Mitigation

The Mitigation Work Programme to urgently scale up mitigation ambition and implementation was adopted. The work programme includes such elements as: the importance of achieving the 1.5°C goal; setting the term to 2026 (continuation after 2026 may be decided later on) and considering the progress every year by taking up the programme as an agenda item at annual CMA session; setting thematic areas to all sectors and cross-cutting issues (including the utilization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement); setting up a work cycle including at least two dialogues per year and a report on annual progress; facilitating participation of non-Party stakeholders; inputting the outcome to the High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on Pre-2030 Ambition. Japan pointed out the importance of targeting all emission sectors and cross-cutting issues, both of which were included in the work programme.

(3) Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol

The reporting format of internationally transferred mitigation outcomes and guidance to registries, review guidance for Article 6 technical expert, the rules for Article 6 paragraph 4 Mechanism, and processes for the transition of CDM activities and certified emission reductions to the Paris Agreement were decided.
Regarding non-market approaches, development and operationalization of a UNFCCC web-based platform and schedule for implementing the work programme activities were decided based on the discussion under the Glasgow committee established at COP26.
Regarding the processes and functioning of the CDM in the future, the secretariat will prepare a technical paper for consideration on this issue in 2023.

(4) Adaptation

Annual progress of the “Glasgow Sharm el-Sheikh Work Programme on Global Goal on Adaptation”, which was adopted at COP26, was taken stock, and next year’s work stream was decided (next year is second and the last year of the programme). It was also decided that a discussion on setting up a framework including areas of priority and cross-cutting issues will take place.

(5) Loss and Damage

The structure, responsibilities and role of the secretariat and advisory board of the “Santiago Network” were decided for the full operationalization of the network”, which catalyzes technical assistances for loss and damage.

(6) Climate Finance

Various agenda items were discussed, including long-term climate finance, post-2025 new collective quantified goal on climate finance, Standing Committee on Finance (SCF), matters related to the Financial Mechanisms, and matters related to the funding arrangements for responding to loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.

In particular on the newly adopted agenda item regarding the funding arrangements for responding to loss and damage which was proposed by developing countries, ministerial consultations were held to fill the gaps of views expressed by both developed and developing country Parties. As a result of the ministerial consultations, it was decided to establish new funding arrangements for assisting developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change; a fund for responding to loss and damage in the context of establishing the new funding arrangements; and a transitional committee to make recommendations for operationalization of the funding arrangements including the above mentioned fund, and to submit the recommendations to the COP28.

Regarding long-term climate finance, as many developing countries strongly requested for a progress report on the collective goal of mobilizing USD 100 billion per year by developed countries, it was decided to make the biennial progress report of the USD 100 billion mobilization goal. In addition, at the request of developing countries, it was also decided to prepare a report on the doubling of adaptation finance by 2025, which was committed by developed countries in the Glasgow Climate Pact last year.

Also, some developed countries including the EU and its Member States proposed a new agenda item to have a space of the discussion on matters related to Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement, while it was not adopted due to the opposition from developing countries. Instead, as mentioned above, it was decided in the CMA cover decision to launch the Sharm el-Sheikh Dialogue to enhance understanding of Article 2.1(c).

(7) Global Stocktake (GST)

The second technical dialogue was taken place. Japan made presentations on mitigation actions covering all-greenhouse gases and all-economic sectors, and the efforts toward decarbonization at the local level, and the importance of locally led adaptation actions in the dialogue.
It was decided to hold an intersessional consultation in April 2023 on preparation for the consideration of output components of the first global stocktake and convene an intersessional workshop in October 2023 to develop elements for it at COP28.

(8) Other agenda items

The discussions on the following broad agenda items were taken place: second periodic review; technology development and transfer; capacity building; agriculture; research and systematic observation; response measures; gender and climate change; Action of Climate Empowerment. Regarding technology development and transfer, the joint work programme of Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) to facilitate the collaboration between the two entities was welcomed. Regarding agriculture, the establishment of the four-year Sharm el-Sheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security was also adopted as a succession of the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture.
The election of members of the Constituted Bodies under the UNFCCC was also conducted and two Japanese members were respectively elected and re-elected. Regarding COP28, it was agreed that the United Arab Emirates will host the session from November 30th to December 12nd, 2023.
Two members of the Japanese delegation were assigned as the co-facilitators of two negotiation agenda items under COP, CMP and CMA and took the lead in their respective negotiations.

The Minister of the Environment, NISHIMURA held 21 bilateral meetings with Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, the European Commission, France, Germany, India, Italy, Lithuania, Marshal Islands, Mongolia, Netherland, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, UK, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the UNFCCC secretariat and the UN Habitat. In each of the meetings, the Minister exchanged views on the proposal for the consensus on negotiation agendas such as the cover decision¸ Mitigation Work Programme, and the effective implementation of climate actions.

The Egyptian Presidency held the “Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit” on November 7th and 8th. Leaders from each country and organization including H. E. Mr. Abdel-Fattah El-SISI, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and H. E. Mr. António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations participated in the summit and pointed out the urgency of climate change and the need for strengthening the implementation of climate actions. In the summit, the leaders of G7 including UK, France and the European Union delivered statements, and the summit-level roundtables focusing on six thematic areas were also conducted.
Ms. KOIKE Yuriko, the governor of Tokyo, participated in the high-level roundtable as per the invitation by the Egyptian government.

(1) Japan pavilion

Japan set up a “Japan Pavilion” at the COP27 venue. Throughout the conference period, Japan exhibited 13 technologies and initiatives of Japanese companies related to mitigation, adaptation, effective CO2 utilization, and Fukushima environmental restoration. In addition, 21 technologies from Japanese companies were exhibited online as part of the Japan Platform for Redesign: Sustainable Infrastructure (JPRSI) Online Pavilion.

A total of 43 seminars were also held on Japan's domestic climate change measures and decarbonization transition initiatives with overseas partner countries, introducing the current status of Japan's efforts and discussing future activities and directions with global stakeholders and experts.
Specifically, the seminars covered a wide variety of topics as follows: development and implementation of long-term strategies and adaptation plans, measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, satellite observation, sustainable finance, market mechanisms including Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), co-benefits-based climate change measures, energy transition, decarbonization and resilience in various sectors (water, transportation, agriculture, forestry, etc.), urban climate action, circular economy, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and methane emission reductions, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), waste management and geothermal development in Africa, scenario analysis toward net zero in Japan, government and corporate initiatives for the Green Transformation (GX), etc.

(2) Initiatives led by Japan

On November 14, Japan led government-level discussions on "avoided emissions," which is a new concept for evaluating an entity's contribution to mitigation, by involving key stakeholders from business sector (WBCSD, etc.), finance sector (GFANZ, etc.) and governments (UAE and the United States). Based on strong cooperation with WBCSD, an outline of the guidance being developed by WBCSD was presented for the first time in the world, and action to establish the concept will be further taken.
On November 15th, the Government of Japan announced the "Assistance Package by the Government of Japan for averting, minimizing and addressing Loss and Damage" to provide comprehensive support for loss and damage, from disaster preparedness to disaster relief and disaster risk insurance, in cooperation with the international community. This package includes the launch of a new and additional initiative to promote the development of early warning systems through public-private partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan reaffirmed its presence in the industrial sector, notably through the recognition of the importance of GX and transition finance in the Summit Statement of LeadIT, an initiative to address the transition to industrial decarbonization.
On November 16th, the "Paris Agreement Article 6 Implementation Partnership" was launched in collaboration with other countries and international organizations to support capacity building for countries by promoting understanding of the Paris Agreement Article 6 rules and providing training, in order to expand global market mechanisms in line with Article 6, to build a high-integrity carbon markets, and to contribute to further global greenhouse gas emission reductions. As of November 18th, 2022, 24 organizations and 43 countries have announced their participation. On the same day, a Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration in the Partnership was signed between Minister of the Environment NISHIMURA and H.E. Simon STIELL, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC.
The new "SUBARU" Initiative, which aims to create climate-resilient cities in developing countries, was also jointly announced with the UN-Habitat Fukuoka Headquarters.
On the same day, a Memorandum of Cooperation on the establishment of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) was signed between Minister of the Environment NISHIMURA and H.E. Simo KILEPA, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change of Papua New Guinea.

(3) Participation in international initiatives

The Government of Japan participated in the following international initiatives on climate change at COP27:

• November 7th: “UN Global Early Warning Initiative for the Implementation of Climate Adaptation”, led by World Meteorological Organization (WMO);
• November 7th: “Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP)”, led by the United Kingdom;
• November 8th: “Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC)”, led by the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia;
• November 11th: “Joint Declaration from Energy Importers and Exporters on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fossil Fuels”, led by the United States and the European Union; (In this connection, on November 17th, the United States and the European Union held “Global Methane Pledge (GMP) Ministerial”, attended by Ambassador AKAHORI Takeshi, Director General for Global Issues of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.)
• November 11th: “Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI)”, an initiative related to decarbonization of industries led by UNIDO;
• November 12th: “Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation Initiative (FAST)”, an initiative led by Egypt Presidency on sustainable transformation of food and agriculture; (H.E. Mr. KATSUMATA Takaaki, State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries attended the ministerial meeting via video message.)
• November 15th: “Global Offshore Wind Energy Alliance (GOWA)”, a public-private platform led by Denmark regarding the offshore wind power generation; (Japan has announced its participation in September this year.)
• November 17th: “Net-Zero Government Initiative”, led by the United States and “CDR Launchpad”, led by the United States aimed at decarbonization through technologies such as direct air capture and mineralization;
• November 17th: “Sustainable Urban Resilience for Next Generation (SURGe)”, led by Egypt Presidency and UN Habitat.

(4) Promotion of Japan’s action in other UNFCCC mandated events and official side events

The mandated event 'Earth Information Day 2022' was held on 9 November; the event provided an opportunity to exchange information on the state of the global climate system and developments in systematic observation. During the event, Japan presented three posters regarding the latest research and Earth observation outcomes: Antarctic ice-shelf basal melting as a possible tipping element, Integrated Ocean observation research by JAMSTEC, and Global megacity stories: GHG emissions and CO2 uptake by surrounding forests and farmlands utilizing satellite technology.

The Government of Japan presented on:

• How the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) series will further elucidate the phenomenon of global climate change and promote countermeasures in “New Generation of Greenhouse Gas Remote Sensing Satellites for Contribution to the Paris Agreement " held on November 12th;
• The importance of disaster risk reduction in Japan in "Implementing Adaptation through the Adaptation Action Coalition (AAC)’s Sectoral Workstreams”;
• The importance of life cycle management of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) alternatives and methane emission reductions in the waste sector, at the International Partnership for Climate and Clean Air (CCAC) Ministerial Meeting for the Reduction of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants on November 15th;
• Directions for effective implementation of capacity building support under Article 6 in "Sharing best practices and lessons learned from capacity building for implementation of Article 6 ";
• Japan's efforts to achieve net-zero for which various stakeholders are working on the circular transition in the event on the Marrakech Partnership held on November 17th;
• The draft guidelines for greenhouse gas measurement and reporting, which were developed in cooperation with ASEAN member countries and Japan, in the seminar on transparency, co-hosted by the Government of Singapore;
• Japan's regional decarbonization efforts in the high-level event on Global Climate Action hosted by UNFCCC Climate Champion.