A diverse range of actors including local authorities, private companies, Non-Government Organization representatives, research institutes and government agencies convened a session focused on the promotion of Talanoa Dialogue in Japan at ISAP2018, which was co-organised by Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability.

At the start of the session, IGES addressed the audience that decarbonisation efforts are an “unknown world" for many stakeholders, and that the sharing of practical examples remains indispensable for advancing action. In response, each actor in attendance introduced progressive ideas for scaling up future initiatives, including visions for decarbonisation and related energy strategies.

During the discussion on "How do we get there?", the importance of continued engagement was highlighted with participants underlining the need for accelerating efforts through partnerships, enhancing dialogue with regional stakeholders and civil society, identifying how industrial policies can present pathways for decarbonisation and innovation, as well as structuring medium to long-term Sound Material-Cycle Society strategies can help transition towards decarbonisation in the transportation and construction sectors. Moreover, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) announced its endorsement for RE100, and in so doing became the world’s first public institution to officially support the global initiative. MOEJ reaffirmed expectations for many actors to post stories to Talanoa JAPAN portal.

At the end of the session, participants engaged in discussion pointed out that “awareness of the Talanoa Dialogue still remains low”; all in attendance shared the view that it is important to improve awareness around the Talanoa Dialogue through continuing knowledge sharing about actions and activities while at the same time further widening multi stakeholder engagements.

Presentation materials are now available.
https://www.iges.or.jp/isap/2018/jp/day1/tt2/index.html

Speakers:

• Kentaro Tamura, Research Leader / Principal Researcher, Climate and Energy Area, IGES
• Haruko Kanamaru, General CSR Division Manager, Corporate Citizenship Department, AEON Co., Ltd.
• Eri Nakajima, Vice Governor, Nagano Prefectural Government
• Eriko Yakushiji, Director General of Climate Change Policy Headquarters, City of Yokohama
• Kimiko Hirata, International Director, Kiko Network
• Michihiro Oi, Director, Research and Information Office, Policy Planning Division, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ)
• Stefan Lechtenböhmer, Director, Future Energy and Mobility Structures, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
• Christophe Cassen, Project Manager and Research Fellow, International Research Center on Environment and Development (CIRED)

Moderator:

• Takashi Otsuka, Joint-Director, Knowledge and Communications, Strategic Management Office, IGES