World Bank Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities

11:00am – 12:30pm, Thursday, February 3, 2022 (JST)
Key Topic: Perspective of Carbon Credit Markets in Japan  

Organized by World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) in collaboration with the World Bank Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience & Land GP (GPURL) and the Environment, Natural Resources & Blue Economy GP (ENB)

The Government of Japan has declared that Japan would realize carbon-neutrality by 2050 and will take steps forward in environmental investment. With this, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) announced that it aims to set a target to start a demonstration carbon credit exchange market in JFY23 to monetize local companies’ carbon emissions reduction in its push for carbon neutrality. Any Japanese carbon credit market is likely to start with combining existing carbon trading systems, such as the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), J-Credit, non-fossil fuel energy certificates, and voluntary credits.

In July 2020, Ministry of Environment (MoE) launched the JCM Global Partnership with the aim of facilitating multilateral partnerships among the JCM partner countries and relevant stakeholders that are involved in the JCM implementation or interested in market mechanisms under the Paris Agreement.

This event is sixth in the series of the TDLC’s Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities. This online event aimed to achieve the following objectives:

• Share the Government of Japan's climate policy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
• Share the lessons learned and business opportunities of Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM).  
• Share Japanese private sector’s perspective and interests in carbon credits. 

Please watch the recorded session from the link below.

Introduction & Welcome

Yasuaki Yoneyama, Special Representative, World Bank Tokyo Office

Speakers

• Naomi Inoue, Deputy Director for International Strategy on Climate Change, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of Environment of Japan 
• Noriko Tamiya-Hase, Deputy Director, Office of Market Mechanisms, and Office of Director for International Strategy on Climate Change, Climate Change Division, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of Environment of Japan 
• Hiroshi Tomita, Director, PwC Advisory LLC

Commentary 

• Harikumar Gadde, Senior Climate Change Specialist, World Bank
• Huy Luong Quang, Head, Division of GHG emission reduction and ozone layer protection, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam 
• Angela Naneu Churie Kallhauge, Senior Climate Change Specialist, World Bank

Moderators

• Victor Mulas, Team Lead of TDLC, World Bank
• Taisei Matsuki, Senior Climate Change Specialist, World Bank

Closing Remarks 

• Benoit Bosquet, Regional Director, World Bank

*In no particular order. 
 

Recording

English: https://youtu.be/wT50tCTrJgQ

Japanese: https://youtu.be/fHLgNK_LYS0

11:00am – 12:30pm, Friday, November 12, 2021 (JST)
Key Topic: Cap-and-Trade

Organized by World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) in collaboration with the World Bank Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience & Land GP (GPURL) and the Environment, Natural Resources & Blue Economy (ENB) GP, Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation (FCI) Global Practice, and the Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment (MTI) Global Practice

Carbon pricing is a preferred mechanism by many governments as a means of bringing down carbon emissions by putting a price on carbon pollution. One of the mechanisms to levy carbon pricing is emissions trading system (ETS), also referred to as cap-and-trade system. As the name suggests, this system puts a cap on the total level of greenhouse gas emissions and allows those industries with low emissions to sell (basically trade off) their extra allowances to the large emitters. This system prompts the defaulters to pay for carbon pollution but more importantly incentivizes them to reduce their emissions and drive investments into cleaner options. At the same time, it rewards the lower emitters by giving them extra credits which are sellable in the market. The carbon price also stimulates clean technology and market innovation, fueling new, low-carbon drivers of economic growth.

This event is fifth in the series of the World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC)’s Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities. Drawing on the experiences, lessons, and solutions from Tokyo and Thailand, this online event was anchored by two core themes:  

1. Bring forward the experience of developed and developing countries on the emissions trading scheme.
2. Share the private sector’s roles, experiences, and lessons learned of the emissions trading scheme.

The session showcased good practices and policies in Japan and abroad that promote and implement carbon pricing mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and approaches that involve the private sector and business leaders as accountable stakeholders. 

Please watch the recorded session from the link below.

Introduction & Welcome

Francis Ghesquiere, Practice Manager, World Bank

Speakers

• Tomotaka Aoki, Emission Cap and Trade Section, Climate Change & Energy Division, Bureau of Environment Tokyo Metropolitan Government
• Joseph Dixon Callisto Pryor, Senior Climate Change Specialist, World Bank
• Pathom Chaiyapruksaton, Carbon Market Manager, Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO)
• Harikumar Gadde, Senior Climate Change Specialist, World Bank
• Koichiro Gunda, Canon IT Solutions
• Tuyen D. Nguyen, Principal Operations Officer, IFC

Moderators

• Victor Mulas, Team Lead of TDLC, World Bank
• Taisei Matsuki, Senior Climate Change Specialist, World Bank

Closing Remarks

• Marc S. Forni, Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank

*In no particular order. 

Recording

English: https://youtu.be/HaGPi1m4A-A

Japanese: https://youtu.be/6SbIEH9kzf0

12:30pm – 1:50pm, Wednesday, October 27, 2021 (JST)
13th Asia-Pacific City Summit Side Event
World Bank Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities #4:
Climate-Smart Urban Form
 

Organized by World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) in collaboration with the World Bank Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience & Land GP (GPURL) and the Environment, Natural Resources & Blue Economy GP (ENB) and Fukuoka City of Japan

Cities are responsible for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. They are not just the contributors but also receivers and payee of the climate change impacts, such as urban heat islands, flooding and health emergencies. To combat the mounting pressures of climate change and achieve the goal of carbon neutrality, cities need to become more ‘climate-smart’ in urban planning and design. This entails multiple aspects, including sustainable and resilient urban form, which is the focus of the event. The topic comprises various facets, such as more careful land use and zoning regulations, climate-focused local level policies, planning and optimization of urban infrastructure and spatial designs, use of technology and innovation, while considering connectivity, green spaces, density, climate risks and future growth trends. It is also crucial to create an incentivized and enabling environment for the private sector to partner with the cities to promote and sustain climate-smart urban forms.

The World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) hosted a side event on Climate-Smart Urban Form on October 27th, 2021, as a part of the 13th Asian-Pacific City Summit (APCS) organized by Fukuoka City of Japan. This event is fourth in the series of the TDLC’s Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities. Drawing on the experiences, lessons, and solutions from Japan and other countries this online event was anchored by two core themes:

1. Practices and policy initiatives of urban green space from Japan
2. Participation of private sector in climate-smart urban forms: experience from Australia and applicability to cities across East Asia and Pacific (EAP).

The session showcased good practices and policies in Japan and abroad that promote climate-smart urban form, and approaches to involve the private sector in this regard.

Please watch the recorded session from the link below.

Introduction & Welcome

• Ming Zhang, Practice Manager, World Bank

Speakers

• Leslie Mabon, School of Engineering and Innovation, Open University, UK
• Junya Nakamura, Director, Greenery City Planning Section, Flower & Greenery City Department, Housing & Urban Planning Bureau, Fukuoka City Government
• Yasushi Fukuizumi, Senior Exec Fellow, VP, Power Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Moderators

• Victor Mulas, Team Lead of TDLC, World Bank
• Lesley Cordero, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank
• Stamatis Kotouzas, Senior Land Administration Specialist, World Bank

Closing Remarks

• Yoonhee Kim, Sector Leader, Sustainable Development for China, Mongolia, and Korea, World Bank

*In no particular order. 

Recording

English: https://youtu.be/4cVdU9DcL4c

Japanese: https://youtu.be/fR1-TIjde4Y

4pm – 5:20pm, Wednesday, September 29, 2021 (JST)

Key Topics: Low Carbon Urban Transport

The transport sector contributes to 23% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions—a figure that could reach over 30% within the next decade under a business-as-usual scenario. As a matter of fact, transport-related emissions have risen faster compared to other sectors over the past three decades. This is attributed to many factors, including rapid urbanization in developing countries surging the energy consumption and CO₂ emissions by urban transport. Clearly, transport decarbonization is pertinent for achieving the low carbon or carbon neutral cities and abate the impacts of climate change. Despite the focused policies and investments in green mobility, there are many challenges holding the agenda back exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic impacts.

This online event aimed to achieve the following objectives:

1. Share experiences of climate-smart and sustainable urban transport initiatives from cities in Indonesia and China of East Asia and Pacific region focusing on policy measures and institutional frameworks and railway development through low carbon smart city strategies by private rail company, Tokyu Corporation from Japan. The sessions highlighted the challenges, success factors, and financial measures adopted in rolling out the various initiatives.
2. Convene city officials, industry practitioners, private sector, and transport experts from Japan and other countries to explore urban policy measures and good practices to promote low carbon urban transport systems based on the experiences and lessons learned.

Please watch the recorded session from the link below.

Opening Remarks

• Benedict Eijbergen, Practice Manager, World Bank

Speakers

• Nupur Gupta, Senior Urban Transport Specialist, World Bank
• Jin Wang, Transport Specialist, World Bank
• Masafumi Ota, Fellow, Senior Researcher, Tokyu Research Institute, Inc.

Moderators

• Victor Mulas, Senior Urban Specialist and TDLC Team Lead, World Bank
• Jung Eun Oh, Lead Transport Specialist, World Bank
• Shigeyuki Sakaki, Senior Transport Specialist, World Bank

Closing Remarks

• Joanna Masic, Lead Urban Specialist, World Bank

*In no particular order. 

Recording

English: https://youtu.be/aikA_H6oY4c
Japanese: https://youtu.be/Lvb4HoLlqU8

4pm – 5:15pm, Wednesday, July 14, 2021 (JST)

Key Topics: Green and Inclusive Solid Waste Management  
 

By 2050, the world is expected to generate 3.40 billion tons of waste annually, increasing drastically from today’s 2.01 billion tons. While the composition, treatment, and management of solid waste differs across cities, there are common challenges faced with regards to holistic planning and policy; sustainable financing; selection of appropriate technology; and the integration of informal workers, citizens, and the private sector. With COVID-19 straining municipal human and financial resources, the imperative for greener, inclusive, and sustainable waste management practices is now stronger than ever. As a critical urban service, the treatment and management of solid waste is an integral part of the conversation as cities worldwide set targets for their carbon emissions and adopt strategies for the development of low carbon cities. 

This online event focused on green and inclusive solid waste management, and is the second installment in the World Bank Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon and Climate-Smart Cities. This online event explored good and emerging practices in green and inclusive solid waste management, addressing questions such as: What are good and emerging practices in green and inclusive solid waste? What are the policy interventions required to meet ambitious carbon reduction targets?

Drawing on the experiences, lessons, and solutions from Japan and other countries this online event was anchored by two core themes:  

1. Practices and Initiatives for Green and Inclusive Solid Waste Management in Japan
2. Taking an Integrated Approach to Managing Solid Waste: Lessons from Developing Countries 

Please watch the recorded sessions from the links below.

Opening Remarks

• Mona Sur, Practice Manager, World Bank

Presenters and Discussants

• Takanori Arima, Executive Director, Overseas Environmental Project Department/Kitakyushu Asian Center for Low carbon Society, Environment Bureau, City of Kitakyushu
• Uri Raich, Senior Urban Specialist, World Bank 
• Jaafar Sadok Friaa, Practice Manager, World Bank 

Moderators

• Victor Mulas, Team Lead of TDLC, World Bank
• Shiko Hayashi, Programme Director, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) 
• Barjor Mehta, Lead Urban Specialist, World Bank

Closing Remarks

• Marc Forni, Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank

*In no particular order.

Recording 

English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4jnQ3gp9U8
Japanese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLMj8cMh85k

4pm – 5:30pm, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 (JST)

Key Topics: Energy-efficient Buildings
 

This online webinar, with a focus on energy-efficient buildings, is the first event in the World Bank’s Knowledge Sharing Series on Low Carbon Cities. With key speakers from Japan, representing the developer Mori Building and the City of Yokohama, the session outlined the major challenges in planning, managing, and evaluating energy-efficient buildings. It also emphasized key takeaways for cities, especially those in emerging economies, that share the decarbonization agenda. Please watch the recorded sessions from the links below.

Opening Remarks

• Francis Ghesquiere, Practice Manager, World Bank

Presenters

• Mariko Murata, Urban Planning and Development Division, Project Planning Department Environmental Promotion Unit and Town Management Division, Park Management Unit, Mori Building Co., Ltd
• Okuno Shuhei, Deputy Director General, Climate Change Policy Headquarters, City of Yokohama

Moderators

• Barjor Mehta, Lead Urban Specialist, World Bank
• Victor Mulas, Team Lead, TDLC, World Bank
• Haruka Miki-Imoto, Operations Officer, TDLC, World Bank

*In no particular order. 

Recording 

English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmBnc-m0daw
Japanese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1TrBa-L9o8
Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB291-AaotY