Tokyo Metropolitan Government Becomes a Member of the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP)
The Only Local-level ICAP Member in the World

May 27, 2009
Bureau of Environment

In June 2008, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) amended its environmental ordinance for protection of resident health and safety to include a cap-and-trade system, introduced for the first time in Japan. The mandatory reductions are slated to start from April 2010.
In line with this, the TMG had been taking procedures to participate in the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP)*, and on May 26, 2009, Tokyo became a member with the signing of the ICAP “Political Declaration,” which prescribes the organization’s objectives and action initiatives, by Governor Shintaro Ishihara. 
Tokyo is the world’s only local-level ICAP member and also the first member from Asia.

*The International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP):
Provides a forum for technical discussion and exchange of views to build international cooperation between governments and public authorities on cap-and-trade systems. The organization was established in October 2007, and with the inclusion of Tokyo, is now comprised of 29 members.

１　The Significance of Participating in ICAP

• Along with actively participating in discussions geared toward the establishment of international carbon markets, Tokyo will be able to contribute to the introduction of a nationwide system in Japan.
• Through working-level discussions Tokyo will assimilate knowledge and expertise that has been acquired through the operation of cap-and-trade systems in other countries and regions around the world, leveraging such knowledge to effectively manage its own system.
• Tokyo will be able to promote to the rest of the world its cap-and-trade system as a model policy for low-carbon urban development in large cities.

２　Tentative Schedule

• Fall 2009 (Approximately two days)

Tokyo is planning to hold a workshop for working-level officers from the world’s large cities, “Tokyo Workshop 2009 for a Low-Carbon Metropolis: Cap-and-trade for office buildings “(tentative name).

ICAP Members (29 nations, states, etc.)

Observer Status: Japan (Ministry of the Environment), Ukraine

* International Carbon Action Partnership(PDF:373KB)