"De-carbonizing era in Cities and Regions: SDGs localization and Environment, Society, Economy in cities and region - regional circular and ecological sphere (Circular and Ecological Economy)
Organiser
- Ministry of the Environment, Japan
- ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
Event Overview
Three years have passed since the Paris Agreement signed in 2015, and efforts towards de-carbonization are progressing in various countries around the world. Cities and Regions standing at forefront of this challenge, have recognized the needs to shift the ways we see economy and society in order to move towards a new civilized society.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), on the other hand, have also gained its global recognition and helped to steer-up discussions for sustainability also at the local level. With its general principle and goals and indicators, SDGs has helped local governments to rethink and adjust its policy to look sustainability in a longer term, with comprehensive manner.
Through these recognition, integration of a low-carbon society, resource circulation and a society in harmony with nature are becoming ever more fundamental for cities and regions to consider its policies and actions towards sustainability.
At this side event we would like to consider how those integration are becoming important factor under the process of localizing SDGs at cities and regions. Relevant policies and actions taken by cities and regions will be shared and reaffirm the importance of cities and regions to continue sharing the experience through relevant networks.
Speaker
- Mr. Gino Van Begin, Secretary General, ICLEI World Secretariat
- Mr. Yasuo Takahashi, Vice Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, Japan
- Mr. Sławomir Mazurek, Deputy Minister of the Environment, Poland, Ministry of Environment, Poland
- Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi, President, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Presentation (PDF, 544KB)
- Mr. Ashok Sridharan, Mayor, City of Bonn, President, ICLEI, City of Bonn, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability
- Ms. Eri Nakajima, Deputy Governor, Nagano Prefecture, Japan Presentation (PDF, 779KB)
- Mr. Takeshi Sakamoto, Mayor, City of Itabashi, Japan Presentation (PDF, 920KB)
- Mr. Kazumi Kobayashi, Deputy Mayor, City of Yokohama, Japan Presentation (PDF, 1.1MB)
- Mr. Risto Veivo, Development Manager, Climate, Environment Policy and Sustainable Development of City Group, City of Turku, Finland Presentation (PDF, 719KB)
- Mr. Merlin Lao, Program Manager, ICELI East Asia Secretariat
Event Summary
With the moderation by ICLEI Secretary General, policymakers of national and subnational governments gathered and discussed how cities and regions synergize de-carbonaization, resource efficiency and ecological balance through localizing SDGs. In the beginning of the session, the concept of regional circular and ecological sphere (R-CES and Circular and Ecological Economy) in the 5th Basic Environmental Plan of Japan, was introduced by IGES President, Prof. Takeuchi.
As concrete measures embraced in cities and regions, political leaders from local governments shared great experiences and future plans towards circular and sound-material cycle society. In particular, it emphasized cities and rural areas being re-connected with natural resources and being self-reliant for materials and energy. Furthermore, it demonstrated that R-CES is a beneficial policy approach not only in Japan but also to countries and cities around the world, with its potential to inspire effective policy formulation. The Finish city Turku which has set up its goal to achieve carbon neutral by 2029 and to become a resource-wise city, also expressed its strong interest in international cooperation and information exchange in realizing R-CES through global city network such as ICLEI.
Message
With strong supports from cities, Green Circular Cities Coalition (GCCC) was launched to accelerate city-to-city cooperation on circular cities. GCCC will contribute to realizing the vision of circular cities and R-CES through multi-level governance and international cooperation and the session reassured its value and importance. We will continue to stress the importance of Circular and Ecological Economy (R-CES) to be incorporated in city management and will promote the concept throughout the important negotiations at international level in 2019 including G20 in Japan for wider impact.
