Tokyo Metropolitan Government holds the TIME TO ACT Forum 2024

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) held the TIME TO ACT 2024 Forum – "Cities Calling for World Climate Action". 

TMG is building a global movement to tackle the climate crisis, to accelerate effective action on decarbonisation under the slogan "TIME TO ACT". 

During the event, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said that the city has set itself the goal of achieving a "carbon half" by 2030 and a "zero-emissions Tokyo" by 2050.

"Starting in April next year 2025 we will mandate the installation of solar power generation equipment on new buildings and strengthen a range of programmes for buildings. In preparation for this mandate we have engaged in an ongoing public outreach to ensure the support and understanding of Tokyo residents," she said. 

Angelica Nunez, Practice Manager, Urban, Resilience, and Land Global Department of the World Bank noted that investments in energy efficiency policy changes, building improvements, improved solid waste management and other actions will bring world closer to zero emissions.

"Local governments have a huge part to play. They can combine investments and policies, they can invest in low-carbon transport, coordinate with land use," she said.

She also stated that in recent years the World Bank has allocated about US$5 billion a year to finance climate change, mitigation and adaptation in cities.

Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, Former Chief Minister of Johor (Malaysia), TPr Siti Hanim binti Abdul Rahman, Director of the Infrastructure Planning Department of Kuala Lumpur, also took part in the event. 

World leaders are expected to discuss updating greenhouse gas emission reduction targets at COP29, which will take place 11-22 November 2024 in Azerbaijan.

The TIME TO ACT Forum, which has been held annually since 2021, aims to accelerate climate action through discussions with local government leaders, business representatives and experts working on decarbonisation.