Sustainable Development Goals SDGs Goal 13: Climate Action

What is SDGs Goal 13?

SDGs Goal 9 is “Climate Action,” with its mission statement being to “take action to combat climate change and its impacts.”

This goal has 5 targets and 9 indicators measuring how well the world is tackling climate change. Targets include strengthening resilience and adaptive capabilities to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, integrate climate positive measures into policies, and increasing awareness and education on climate change mitigation.

Climate Action in Japan

Awareness of environmental issues (including topics like global warming, destruction of ozone layer, and deforestation) is considered high at 88.3% in 2020, but no doubt can be better. A deeper look reveals that only 19.1% what the Paris Accord represented (64.9% had only heard of the name before.)

Being a developed country, high consumption rate and high energy usage are two marking characteristics of Japan. Arguably, the speed of climate action taken by its leaders have been slow in making required changes to tackle the climate crisis. Major challenges remain for Japan, including carbon emissions from burning fossil fuel and emissions embodied in imports.

But it doesn’t mean that Japan is not making changes, as NPOs and grassroots have inspired the leadership sorely needed to make changes from various aspects. Areas include reducing food waste, youth leadership, reducing plastic waste, renewable energy, veganism and many more. It is true then, that in Japan, “all social change will come from the passion of individuals.”

SDGs Goal 13 in Japan

Japan’s extreme weather expected to worsen under climate change

There is no more doubt: climate change is here. Various parts of Japan have already begun experiencing the effects and damages. What more can Japan expect?

Japan’s extreme weather expected to worsen under climate change

Japanese industries challenged to adapt to climate change effects

Global warming is going to affect many industries, none more so than those in agriculture and fishing. The change in temperatures and ecosystems are going to affect our food systems in terrible ways. Does Japan have any countermeasures to fight this change?

Japanese industries challenged to adapt to climate change effects

Climate campaigner Kimiko Hirata on how to change Japan’s energy system

Japan’s energy is a complex problem, with multiple problems and concerns from overdependence on fossil fuel and use of nuclear energy. We interviewed Kimiko Hirata, the International Director of the environment NGO Kiko Network and founder of NPO Climate Integrate, shares with us on where change can come from to change Japan’s energy system.

Climate campaigner Kimiko Hirata on how to change Japan’s energy system

How to create social change, with climate campaigner Kimiko Hirata

And we didn’t stop there! While learning about changing Japan’s energy system, we also tapped on Kimiko Hirata’s wisdom on what individuals can do to fight the climate crisis, and where social change can come from.

How to create social change, with climate campaigner Kimiko Hirata

Hidden problems with renewable energy in Japan

Even though we see a number of news for implementation of renewable energy around the country, not all is as green as they seem. Some operators are lying to authorities about their “sustainability,” others face problems with infrastructure. Learn about the problems that need to be overcomed as we make the shift to renewables here.

Hidden problems with renewable energy in Japan

Can vegans and non-vegans co-exist in Japan?

Reduce carbon emissions is crucial to reducing the impact of climate change, and our current food system is a big contributor to it. The question of eating beef, and indeed, meat, is a big discussion these day. But is there no consensus to be found in betweem?

Can vegans and non-vegans co-exist in Japan?

How Japan residents can reduce their carbon footprint

Individual action, on a large scale, can tip the balance of the climate change in nature’s favor. But it is not always intuitive what we can do. Here are some areas in your life that you can easily make an impact to reduce your carbon footprint.

How Japan residents can reduce their carbon footprint [Reference] Climate change: The biggest crisis of our time