COP 26 – CLIMATE LEADERSHIP

BCCJ Responsible Business: External events & initiatives

The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021. The event brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Many believed this event to be the world’s last best chance to get runaway climate change under control. For nearly three decades the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits – called COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority.

Learn more about the Past events COP26 HERE

Tokyo Sustainable Finance Forum

Tokyo Metropolitan Government 

October 15, 1415-1800 (JST)

TMG hosted  a forum  to share the experiences and visions of key facilitators of sustainable finance among financial institutions, government officials and beyond. Speakers included top officials of major investment funds driving sustainable finance both within and outside of Japan.

For more information click HERE

COP26 Race to Zero Webinar series

ARUP

October 18-22 & 10 November 2021

Uniting Asia to combat climate change

As the sustainability consultant for COP26, Arup, in partnership with leader organisations and think tanks, organized the Race to Zero webinar series building up to the global summit.

We brought together experts from various fields in China, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam together looking at the global issue in local perspective and coming up with united actions to achieve our common goal.

For more information click HERE 

Initiatives and Challenges for Carbon Neutrality in the UK and Japan in preparation of COP26

British Market Council

October 19, 1500-1700(JST)

For the 23rd Japan & UK Business Partnership Seminar, British Market Council invited representatives from the Governments of the UK and Japan to give virtual presentations on the countries’ policies towards carbon neutrality. This was followed by a presentation from Yasunori Takeuchi, CEO at Standard Chartered Bank, on the financial service sector’s role on sustainability and its initiatives and actions towards carbon neutrality.

This online event was held in Japanese.

Delivering on Climate Targets in Japan and the UK, with Kimiko Hirata and Chris Huhne

The Japan Society

October 20, 2000-2100 (JST) 

With the Glasgow Climate Change Conference, Japan Society chairman Bill Emmott is joined by activist Kimiko Hirata and energy and climate consultant Christopher Huhne to examine the ambitions and actions of the Japanese and UK governments.

Both countries have committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and have recently submitted or proposed improved targets for their 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). However, while the UK’s strengthened 2030 target of a 68% reduction below 1990 levels is in line with its 2050 net-zero target, there are concerns that current policies are insufficient to achieve this. At 46%, Japan’s 2030 proposed NDCs remain at below 50%, although this is a significant improvement of its previous target of 26%. Most concerning for many is the continued reliance on coal for 19% of its 2030 energy mix.

It remains to be seen how many countries will submit their revised NDCs ahead of COP26 and how robust these plans will be. Are policy makers in Japan and the UK prepared to take decisive action? Is developing the green economy more than ‘some expensive politically correct green act’? What does ‘building back better’ mean?

Learn more HERE 

EU-Japan Conference | Cities, regions, clusters: on the road to zero carbon

Strategic Partnership for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement – SPIPA Japan

26-27 October 1530-1830 (JST)

“Think global, act local”. In Japan and Europe, local stakeholders – clusters, cities, municipalities, regions, prefectures – are at the forefront of decarbonization. Building on a strong sense of ownership and belonging, local ecosystems are well placed to take and implement initiatives for the green transition. Connected with other local actors both at national and international level, they share experiences and learn from others, expanding the range and scope of their efforts.

Transport, construction, urban planning, local renewable energy, circularity of resources, citizens engagement… In all these key areas for the decarbonization of our economies and societies, Japanese and European regional clusters and local governments already take ambitious and innovative actions. Their efforts also expand to other sectors deeply connected to territories, such as agriculture or tourism.

What are the best practices in Europe and Japan? How do regional industrial clusters contribute to these efforts? What are the existing cooperation initiatives between Europe and Japan at the local level? How can national policies unlock local initiatives, and local initiatives inspire national policies? How can stakeholders from Japan and the EU further cooperate on these matters?

This online event took the audience into a virtual tour of leading European and Japanese clusters, cities and regions on the pathway towards carbon neutrality.

More information HERE 

Progressing to a Net Zero Business through Sustainable Business Management

Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

October 27, 1800-1930 (JST)

Understand how to manage your decarbonisation journey across your business and its stakeholders from start to finish.
Learn how to stay on top of your environmental targets, how to continually improve your performance and communicate your progress.
Gain insight into organisations environmental procurement and low carbon supply chain policies.

This webinar was about how to manage your environmental impact and gain a competitive edge through sustainable business management, by:

  • Discovering how businesses have managed their decarbonisation journey to improve their reputation, differentiate and remain competitive.
  • Gaining practical advice on managing your environmental progress, including overcoming barriers and capitalising on opportunities.
  • Knowing best practice examples so you can benchmark your environmental action against environmental leaders to know what good looks like.

More information HERE

Midlands Energy Summit – 2021

East Midlands Chamber

November 30, 1700-2000(JST)

Held in partnership with the University of Nottingham’s Energy Innovation and Collaboration team the 2021 Midlands Energy Summit will explore how Government, businesses, academia and civil society come together to ensure that clean growth can underpin our future economy.

As we continue our recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 crisis focus is increasingly turning to the global climate crisis. In addition the Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine sets out, with a unified voice, the Midlands Engine Partnership’s collective plan: actions to be taken in partnership which will accelerate both the Midlands and the UK’s path to net zero.

More information HERE