Like many OECD countries, Japan faces the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, which threaten human well-being, ecosystems, and the economy. In response, Japan is prioritising integrated policy solutions that promote synergies across these three inter-dependent challenges. A place-based approach is essential to this, breaking down sectoral silos and driving environmental action tailored to local contexts.
This paper applies the OECD Territorial Approach to Climate Action and Resilience (TACAR) framework to benchmark Japan’s climate performance against other OECD countries, assess its current climate policy landscape according to the nine action areas outlined in the TACAR framework, and offer strategic policy recommendations to accelerate place-based climate action. The paper further builds on the TACAR framework to consider opportunities to leverage synergies across other environmental challenges in addition to climate change.
This paper showcases the diverse range of place-based policy initiatives undertaken by Japan, including the Decarbonisation Leading Areas and Circulating and Ecological Economy initiatives. Furthermore, it introduces global policy practices related to territorial approaches, offering valuable insights and inspiration for policymakers in Japan and abroad.
