The COP (Conference of the Parties) is an international conference to discuss global climate change and global warming countermeasures. With regard to keywords such as decarbonization, carbon neutrality, greenhouse gases, and global warming, which we hear every day today, the policy decided by this COP plays an important role in greatly influencing the policy of each country. increase.
A study group "Shibuya COP Academy" for both Generation Z and companies to have a sense of ownership and take action against such problems. I will report the second pattern.
Compared to the last time, the number of participating members has increased, and the participation of people who are working on sustainability and decarbonization in companies was particularly noticeable, and I was able to feel that the circle was expanding.
As a review, we will start with an input on the current situation of climate change issues by Ms. Makinae Saza, Representative Director of General Incorporated Association SWiTCH.
“As a result of conducting a survey in Japan and 24 other countries about 'a country with an image of advanced environmental efforts,' Japan ranked first in the world. What do you think?
Unfortunately, the situation is different. Percentage of people concerned about climate change between 2015 and 2021: Germany, UK, Australia.・While South Korea and Spain have increased by more than 10%, only Japan has decreased by 8%.
In addition, the awareness of climate change issues is the lowest among 13 developed countries, and the percentage of people who hear about climate change on TV, newspapers, SNS, and daily conversations at least once a week is around 60 times a week in most developed countries. However, in Japan, the result is less than 30 times a week, the same as in developing countries.” (Mr. Saza)
Mr. Saza first points out that Japan is still lagging behind in terms of climate change and environmental issues. Then, he explained that it is the young generation Z who is directly affected by environmental problems, and that Shibuya, a place of information and trends, and the value of Shibuya, a diverse city, as a model case for a sustainable city. It is said that the significance of "Shibuya COP" is to produce.
In addition, among the 17 goals set out in the SDGs, the protection of ecosystems and the environment is the most important.
“A wedding cake cannot exist without a solid foundation. From top to bottom, there are economic, social, and ecological goals. is not viable. First of all, it is most important to protect the ecosystem and the environment.”
Mr. Saza explains using familiar examples in an easy-to-understand manner so that the participants can have a sense of ownership. I will continue to talk about the current state of the earth in this way.
"How many earths would we need if everyone in the world lived the same life as the Japanese? The answer is 2.9 earths. This is not sustainable because there is only one earth. There is a capacity called Daly, and it is said that the "integrity of the biosphere", "land use change", and "biogeochemical cycles" have already exceeded their limits. Losses, heat waves, forest fires, infectious diseases, rising sea levels, food shortages, water shortages, strong typhoons, floods, and other disasters are cascading like dominoes.”
Furthermore, Mr. Saza asks the participants, "What percentage of the world's groundwater will be gone by 2050?" The answer here is 70%. It is easy to imagine that various conflicts will occur due to the disappearance of water resources. Mr. Saza explained the current situation of a small part of the earth, but the participants seemed to be keenly aware that "there is no waiting".
And what kind of action is the world taking on environmental problems next? The topic will move to. The topic is "10 New Insights" listed by "Future Earth (an international research platform aiming for a transition to a sustainable society)". In the previous "Shibuya COP Academy", items 1 to 3 were introduced, but this time, items 4 to 6 were touched on.
[10 New Insights]
- Doubting the Myth of Infinite Adaptation
- Vulnerability hotspots are concentrated in 'at-risk areas'
- New threats emerge from the interaction of climate and health
- Climate change-driven population shifts require more forward-looking action than the current evidence base
- Climate security is essential for human security
- Sustainable land use is critical to meeting climate goals
- Sustainable finance practices in the private sector have yet to trigger a full-fledged social transformation
- Loss and damage countermeasures are now urgently needed on a global scale
- Inclusive decision-making is needed for climate resilient development
- Structural barriers and unsustainable lock-ins need to be broken
(Reference: From "Future Earth Japan Committee")
“Fourth is the problem of increased migration due to climate change and concentration of the population in urban areas. According to the World Bank, more than 200 million people are expected to migrate due to climate change by 2050. Population movements due to natural disasters such as floods and typhoons are expected to increase.
5 "Human safety depends on climate change measures"—Although I touched on the issue of water depletion—Climate change will have a major impact on the global supply chain, leading to food and energy problems. This indicates the danger of being directly linked to conflict and leading to conflict.
6 is sustainable land use. In other words, what can be done to maintain optimal supply in the face of climate change? And we need to rethink land use. For example, we are considering shifting from monoculture to regenerative agriculture and using the land while repairing and restoring the soil.”
“The related market is expected to reach 42 trillion yen in 2030, and it is said that there will be more opportunities for Japanese companies to make proposals to developing countries in the fields of disaster prevention and agricultural technology. The introduction of an early warning system, non-life insurance system, damage monitoring and forecasting, human resource development, adaptation business, etc. are all advanced examples in the world. It is possible to contribute to the climate change problem by exporting such a program.”
After that, the baton was passed on to student speakers who had experience studying abroad, and they introduced sustainable lifestyles in European countries such as Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands, and conducted group work and presentations. The question-and-answer session was lively, and I was able to feel that the circle of "Sustainable City, Shibuya" has definitely grown since the first time.
"Shibuya COP Academy" where students, companies, governments and various people interested in climate change learn, exchange opinions, and create networks. It was a content that raised expectations further as to what kind of action it would lead to in the future.
