How is climate change affecting Tokyo?
The intensifying climate crisis is rapidly and tangibly threatening the lives of Tokyo's residents. Temperatures in the city surpassed 40°C for the first time in seven years, bringing overwhelming, disaster-level heat during the summer. Lifestyles have also been changing. People are going out in the morning or evening to avoid the intense daytime heat, and more men are using parasols. Natural disasters brought on by climate change are also distinctly different from before. Threats posed by storms and floods are increasing, including repeated observations of "unprecedented torrential rain."
What action are you taking to address climate change?
To protect the lives and livelihoods of our residents, adaptation to the changing environment is crucial. This is why we are focusing on preparing for intensifying natural disasters. We are building huge underground tunnels to temporarily store river water and rainwater during heavy rainfall. We are also working to make Tokyo adaptable to heat by implementing measures tailored to workplaces, schools, and other environments. This includes deploying heatstroke prevention advisors and the use of a wearable device developed by a Tokyo-based startup to prevent heatstroke in older adults at home, school students and teachers, and essential workers. The use of advanced technologies plays a vital role. In addition, to facilitate the achievement of zero emissions by 2050, Tokyo has set a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 60 per cent from 2000 levels by 2035. We have also made it mandatory to install solar panels on new buildings, and we are promoting the use of a thin, lightweight, and flexible next-generation solar cell made from domestically-sourced iodine. At the same time, we are strengthening our financial approach. We established a fund to primarily invest in grid energy storage projects and issued "Tokyo Resilience Bonds" to build up urban resilience.
What are the benefits? Why is it important?
Initiatives taken on the level of cities, which are closer to their communities, are crucial to achieving the universal goal of "limiting average temperature increase to 1.5°C," and to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of our people from the threats of intense heat and natural disasters. Cities are at the frontline of climate change and are taking on an increasingly important role as game-changers that can turn crisis into opportunity. Against this backdrop, we will bolster the functions of the Global City Network for Sustainability (G-NETS), launched by Tokyo, where cities share knowledge and exchange technologies to solve common urban issues. Nurturing startups is also important. SusHi Tech Tokyo, Asia's largest innovation conference, and Tokyo Innovation Base, established to provide startup support, connect a diversity of domestic and overseas players. I am confident that creating and drawing upon frameworks that gather the wisdom and technologies of a diversity of players will lead the way to a brighter future.