3. Pursuing the new urban value of sustainability

Fulfilling our city’s responsibility in the climate crisis

The twenty-first century is called the “century of cities.” In the face of the climate crisis threatening humanity, we must fulfill our responsibility as major consumers of energy. As part of the COP28 climate conference currently underway in the United Arab Emirates, a local climate action summit was held, bringing together city leaders from around the world. The gathering represented a truly historic step for the international community in confronting our shared crisis.

In light of these global trends, we must ensure that we achieve our goal of “carbon half” by halving carbon emissions by 2030 and continue onward to realize a “Zero Emission Tokyo.” When I attended the climate summit the other day, I strongly promoted the advanced energy measures of Tokyo and Japan, such as soon making it mandatory to install photovoltaic systems on newly built homes and developing perovskite solar cells. I also declared that Tokyo will triple its renewable energy capacity by 2030. Under the strong resolve to achieve the goal set forth in the Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to no more than 1.5℃, we are being called to unite, act, and deliver. We will take concrete actions for the sake of a sustainable future.

Accelerating social applications to generate further momentum for Zero Emission Tokyo

Leading the charge for hydrogen adoption

At COP28, I announced the plans of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government （TMG） to establish Japan’s first hydrogen exchange through a partnership with a world-leading institution promoting the production and use of hydrogen, as a way to lead the global charge for hydrogen energy adoption. We will also promote efforts to form alliances with overseas cities in order to build an international supply chain and advance developments in hydrogen technology. By generating supply and demand through initiatives closer to home, such as providing support for the introduction of fuel cell-powered garbage trucks by municipalities eager to decarbonize their services, we will stimulate the use of hydrogen, which is considered a trump card for decarbonization.

Leveraging Tokyo’s potentials for the implementation of renewable energy

The TMG will lead by example in promoting the implementation of renewable energy. Beginning next fiscal year, the Tokyo Sakura Tram, a streetcar line long beloved by the local community, will run on green electricity generated from hydropower. We will also expand the use of solar cell technology by introducing cars equipped with solar panels into the fleet of official TMG vehicles. Ahead of the launch of the Building Environmental Report System in FY2025, we established an award to recognize businesses taking efforts to promote the spread of eco-friendly buildings. Additionally, we will work to be the first in Japan to introduce the continuous use of next-generation aviation fuel, SAF （sustainable aviation fuel）, produced from used cooking oil and other recycled materials on regular domestic flights. At a meeting of experts and other stakeholders last month, we received advice on energy management, including about demand response in which customers adjust their demand for power according to the amount of supply. Moving forward, we will further study energy measures to drive a structural transformation in Japan’s energy landscape.

Leveraging the power of finance for decarbonization

We made our first investment with our sustainable energy fund, which we established for purposes such as developing green energy hubs, in a project to establish a 30,000kW wind farm in Hokkaido. In order to achieve carbon neutrality, it is essential to effectively use the power of finance and encourage private sector-led endeavors. We also partnered with financial institutions to run a seminar for small and medium enterprises, which make up the majority of Tokyo’s businesses, with the aim to spread the perspective of sustainable business management. We will stimulate sustainable finance efforts and make a strong push toward decarbonization.

Laying the foundation for a city coexisting with greenery

With harmony between the natural environment and urban functions being highly valued worldwide, urban development has reached a major turning point. We will build a city brimming with greenery where people can relax and enjoy walking; one espousing the importance of “everyday life” and “comfort” that we can feel proud to pass down to generations a century from now. For example, in the Nishi-shinjuku area, we partnered with the municipal government and local companies to create a people-centric walkable space integrating the entire area, including roads and parks, which allowed many people to experience the appeal of our vision of urban development under a clear blue sky. Furthermore, we renovated Meiji Park, located adjacent to the Japan National Stadium, to feature new spaces where people of all generations can relax, including a spacious lawn plaza where anyone can spend time however they wish. We will also carefully cultivate a vibrant forest from trees planted by children and other local residents.

From Toranomon and Azabudai to Nihombashi and Shinagawa, large-scale redevelopment projects are underway across all of central Tokyo. We will protect, increase, and connect the greenery that flourishes throughout our city. For example, in the recently opened Azabudai Hills, flowers and trees that change with the four seasons cover the entire complex, creating a relaxing space that feels unexpected for an urban center. Urban development is giving rise to vast amounts of new green spaces. Moving forward, we will strengthen our policies while thoroughly incorporating the opinions of experts and the youth who hold the future of Tokyo in their hands, as we work to bring our Tokyo Green Biz project to the next stage.