4. Taking on humankind’s challenge to achieve carbon neutrality

COP27, held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, has come to a close. The creation of a fund to support developing countries was a historically important agreement for COP. But even if countries reduce their carbon emissions as planned, we are still far from achieving the 1.5°C target raised in the Paris Agreement, with huge hurdles still to be overcome. At this conference gathering leaders from countries around the world, as the leader of a city at the forefront of climate change response, I reasserted Tokyo's leadership and called upon the international community to take a united stand against this issue. We must leave a sustainable and beautiful planet for the future. Tokyo will move to the next stage, shape effective policies, and launch actions.

Amendment of the environment ordinance

A symbolic initiative is the amendment to the Ordinance on the Environment to Secure the Health and Safety of Tokyo Residents (Environmental Security Ordinance), proposed at this regular session. The cornerstone of this amendment is the mandatory requirement for major house builders and suppliers to install PV systems in newly constructed homes and other small and medium-sized buildings, a first for Japan. By harnessing the potential of the roofs of homes to 14 million people, TMG will lead Japan in actions for carbon neutrality. This program will promote an unprecedented green shift in the housing industry, so to put it on a solid track, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will develop support that applies the martial arts’ concept of “Shin Gi Tai” (harmony of mind, skill, and body).

First, "Shin (mind).” We will foster a movement through multifaceted public relations activities and promote understanding toward this system by holding seminars and sending lecturers throughout Tokyo, and establishing a one-stop consultation service. Next, “Gi (skill)." In addition to supporting the development of home models with high environmental performance, we will prepare for the smooth launch of this system such as by working to spread the use of small, lightweight solar panels that can also be installed on small houses. Finally, "Tai (body).” We will create a system for establishing recycling routes for solar panels, and build a scheme that will enable Tokyo residents to install equipment at lower costs through group purchase of renewable energy equipment. At the same time, while broadening our sights to include all kinds of possibilities, such as expanding the home use of geothermal heat, which will be a stable source of renewable energy, we have, ahead of the next fiscal year’s budget, also included expenses needed to implement such measures in the supplementary budget bill proposed at this session.

Gaining the understanding of the people, honing skills, and preparing the structure, system, and budget. By providing diverse support from these three aspects of “mind, skill and body,” Tokyo’s businesses, people and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will together promote this system. At the same time, we will also work to secure stable financial resources to support the implementation of these measures, ensure that we can halve carbon emissions by 2030, and beyond that, realize a "Zero Emission Tokyo.”

Expanding the use of ZEVs

Following buildings is mobility. With spring 2024’s Formula E, the F1 for EVs, acting as a catalyst, we must immediately accelerate the popularization of ZEVs. In order to build up charging facilities, an indispensable infrastructure for this, we will expand their installation through an amendment to the Environmental Security Ordinance and other measures. We have also launched a new battery sharing service to promote the spread of EV motorcycles. In addition, we recently held a PR event at Shinjuku Chuo Park and the street in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building so many people could experience and feel the appeal of ZEVs. While continuing to implement such diverse initiatives, we will have ZEVs become a familiar form of mobility throughout Tokyo.

For realization of a world-leading hydrogen society

Hydrogen holds the key to achieving a balance between energy security and carbon neutrality. Advanced technologies need to be consolidated, and while pooling knowledge with various parties, we aim to expand the use of hydrogen. In October, as part of the "TIME TO ACT" climate crisis action movement, I spoke with the leaders of overseas cities that are taking advanced measures, and we confirmed that we will deepen our cooperation. Domestically, Tokyo signed an agreement with Yamanashi Prefecture to use green hydrogen produced in the prefecture at metropolitan-owned facilities, and in such ways, we will steadily build up examples of hydrogen use in society. In addition, yesterday, at a roundtable meeting with private businesses, we discussed methods to supply hydrogen, including the use of pipelines. We will continue to advance studies on a future system that will use such networks to supply hydrogen transported from overseas to Tokyo.