AGP Executive Report

COP31 Accountability: Japan was among nine countries whose leaders received a satirical “Fossil of the Day” award for skipping the climate summit in Türkiye. Climate groups said the absences sent a poor signal on cooperation and urged wealthy nations to support countries facing climate disasters. Offshore Wind: Japan and the UK agreed to cooperate on floating wind technology, investment and turbine supply chains, though the pact commits neither side to new funding or construction. Climate Policy: UN chief António Guterres warned that climate change is “outrunning us” and called for faster action to shift away from fossil fuels.

COP31 Accountability: Japan was among wealthy nations’ leaders criticized for skipping the climate summit in Turkey, while activists say its absence weakens international cooperation. Emissions: Global fossil-fuel carbon pollution is forecast to dip 0.4% in 2026, but scientists attribute the decline largely to oil-market disruption from the Iran war—not climate action. Clean Energy: Japan is being urged to end fossil-fuel support to strengthen its clean-tech exports; separately, Sumitomo and Greenvolt are deploying battery storage projects in Japan. Regional Cooperation: Japan and Vietnam have agreed to expand environmental cooperation, while Japan and ASEAN plan joint reporting on greenhouse-gas reductions. Climate Technology: Japan plans to showcase environmental technologies at COP31, as the UK and Japan also signed an offshore wind pact.

COP31 and Regional Cooperation: Japan plans to showcase environmental technologies at the Antalya summit and will work with ASEAN on joint reporting of greenhouse-gas reductions. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to miss the UN climate talks. Forest Carbon: Japan and Indonesia are advancing forest-based carbon projects aimed at restoring ecosystems, protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities. Emissions: A global energy tracker says Japan cut energy-related emissions by 216 million tonnes between 2017 and 2025, among the largest reductions worldwide. But fossil-fuel use grew globally, and a projected 2026 emissions dip is partly tied to conflict-driven disruption to oil use—not lasting climate action. Extreme Weather: Cyclone Cempaka is approaching Japan, with warnings of fierce winds and heavy rain in the Ogasawara Islands. Climate Impacts: This week’s reporting linked rising heat to threats to Japan’s autumn foods; salmon catches have fallen to just 3% of their 2003 peak.

Regional Climate Action: Japan and ASEAN plan a joint report on emissions-cutting progress, with expanded investment and technology transfers among the priorities ahead of the next global climate progress review. Extreme Weather: Authorities are on alert in the Ogasawara Islands as Cyclone Cempaka brings the risk of fierce winds and heavy rain. Climate Diplomacy: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will skip the UN climate summit in Türkiye, despite Japan seeing COP31 as a chance to deepen energy cooperation. Climate Impacts: Climate change is extending Japan’s high-heat days and putting autumn foods at risk. Sustainable Seafood: Japanese group Seafood Legacy is among the founders of BEACON, a new East Asian initiative to better coordinate seafood sustainability work.

Climate Diplomacy: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will skip COP31 in Türkiye, leaving Japan’s environment minister to represent the country. It is the third year in a row without a Japanese leader at the summit-level talks. Heat and Food: A new report says Japan went from zero to 43 days of high heat, putting autumn foods at risk. Marine Life: Japan’s salmon catch has fallen to just 3% of its 2003 peak. Warming seas are also driving squid declines across East Asia, including Japan, threatening a familiar food source. Disaster Readiness: After a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan, officials urged households to stock emergency supplies and called for measures to reduce exposure to disaster-prone areas.

Climate Emissions: China’s CO₂ emissions fell 3.1% in the third quarter, the sharpest decline outside the Covid years since at least 2016. The drop matters globally as China produces nearly a third of the world’s emissions. Disaster Preparedness: Japan urged households to stock emergency supplies, and a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck central Japan. Extreme Weather: Scientists warn that a warming Pacific could bring stronger typhoons to East Asia, raising risks for Japan. Marine Life: Japan’s saury catch plunged 80% to a record low, a worrying sign for fisheries and the ecosystems they rely on. Pollution: Japan is phasing out fluorescent lamps as a mercury treaty deadline approaches.

Earthquake: A magnitude-5.7 quake in central Japan injured at least 20 people and disrupted train services; no tsunami warning was issued. COP31: Japan’s ambassador to Türkiye says the summit can advance cooperation on renewables, energy efficiency and energy security, even as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to skip the talks. Pollution Monitoring: Researchers in Japan have developed a phone-linked sensor to detect “forever chemicals” in water. Marine Environment: Japan’s saury catch has plunged 80% to a record low, highlighting mounting pressure on an important fishery. Climate Risks: Scientists warn that warming Pacific waters could fuel stronger typhoons in East Asia.

Industrial Recovery: Kitakyushu’s story shows how grassroots pressure helped turn a city once choked by factory pollution into a cleaner place to live. Solar Waste: Japan proposed a 50-ton threshold that would trigger solar-panel recycling plans, addressing the growing waste challenge as installations age. Water Pollution: Researchers in Japan developed a phone-linked sensor to detect “forever chemicals” in water. Invasive Species: Scientists are working to stop an invasive plant spreading through Japan’s waterways. Biodiversity: Researchers discovered a green-glowing deep-sea species in underwater caves off Japan.

AI and Conservation: Environmental groups are using AI to track fires and wildlife, but warn that data centres’ power and cooling-water demands carry environmental costs. Japan’s Fisheries: Japan’s salmon catch has fallen to just 3% of its 2003 peak, highlighting growing pressure on the fishery. Solar Waste: Japan is proposing a 50-tonne threshold that would trigger solar-panel recycling plans. Climate Finance: Japan is extending its transition-bond push despite continued reliance on fossil fuels. Water Pollution: Researchers in Japan have developed a phone-linked sensor to detect PFAS “forever chemicals” in water.

Marine Emissions: A new analysis estimates that shipping emissions caused $962.7 billion in global economic damage through 2020, including $66.8 billion in Japan. Shipping accounts for about 2% of global CO₂ emissions. Wildlife and Fisheries: Japan’s salmon catch has dropped to just 3% of its 2003 level. Reports also warn that wildlife is disappearing as the countryside empties, while an invasive plant is spreading through waterways. Pollution Monitoring: Researchers in Japan have developed a phone-linked sensor to detect PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in water. Disaster Readiness: Japan’s Finance Ministry is urging measures to curb residence in disaster-risk areas as the country steps up preparedness for natural disasters. Solar Waste: Japan has proposed requiring recycling plans for solar panel projects above a 50-tonne threshold.

Fisheries: Japan’s saury catch has plunged 80% to a record low, while salmon catches stand at just 3% of their 2003 peak. The sharp declines raise fresh concerns for the country’s fisheries. Solar Waste: Japan is considering a 50-tonne threshold that would trigger recycling plans for solar panels, as the country prepares for a wave of end-of-life equipment. Disaster Readiness: Japan has launched a national agency to strengthen disaster response, urging households to keep seven days of supplies on hand. Climate Policy: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will skip the UN climate summit in Turkey, putting Japan’s role in global climate talks in focus. Pollution: Japan is phasing out fluorescent lamps as a mercury treaty deadline approaches.

Energy Transition: Japan’s electrification challenge is in focus as demand for power grows across Asia, while a separate report says Tokyo is extending its transition-bond push despite continued fossil-fuel reliance. Climate Diplomacy: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will skip the U.N. climate summit in Turkey. Solar Waste: Japan is proposing a 50-metric-ton threshold to trigger solar-panel recycling plans, a move that could shape how the country handles a growing waste stream. Marine Life: Japan’s saury catch has plunged 80% to a record low, adding pressure on a key fishery. Conservation: Seeds from Rikuzentakata’s “miracle lone pine,” the sole tree on its beach to survive the 2011 tsunami, are set to be safeguarded at a British seed bank.

Marine Life: Japan’s saury catch has plunged 80% to a record low, raising concern for a fishery central to the country’s food culture. Climate Risks: Scientists warn of stronger typhoons across East Asia as the Pacific warms; separate research found climate change made Typhoon Dujuan’s rainfall in Japan 40% heavier. Pollution and Waste: Japan is phasing out fluorescent lamps as a mercury-treaty deadline approaches, while Veolia and Sumitomo Chemical will join a government project to expand plastic recycling. Disaster Readiness: Japan has launched a national agency to strengthen disaster management as extreme weather risks grow. Urban Nature: Tokyo developers are bringing greenery and food production onto rooftops, while Taiwan and Japan are working together on urban greening.

COP31 and Mountains: Nepal and Bhutan are seeking a dedicated agenda on mountain warming, but Japan opposed a separate mountain item at COP30, preferring existing climate workstreams. Extreme Weather: Research found climate change made rainfall from Typhoon Dujuan in Japan about 40% heavier, underscoring rising flood risks. Pollution Monitoring: Researchers in Japan have built a phone-linked sensor to detect PFAS, the persistent chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” in water. Energy Policy: Japan will begin winding down gasoline subsidies in December, a move that will gradually reduce support for fossil fuels. Oceans and Plastics: Japan is pushing ahead with deep-sea mining as calls for a moratorium grow; separately, Veolia and Sumitomo Chemical have joined a Japanese government project to develop plastic resource circulation.

Nitrogen Pollution: At a Kyoto conference, Sri Lanka backed a proposed global nitrogen-management resolution, urging better fertiliser use; it says nearly 60% of nitrogen fertiliser is lost to waterways or the atmosphere. Water Monitoring: Researchers in Japan have built a phone-linked sensor to detect “forever chemicals” in water. Invasive Species: Scientists are battling a plant invading Japan’s waterways. Climate Risk: Two studies found climate change made rainfall from Typhoon Dujuan in Japan 40% heavier. Deep-Sea Mining: Japan is pushing ahead with seabed mining as calls for a moratorium grow. Waste Management: JICA is considering a grant for Chattogram, Bangladesh, to improve waste collection and build a sanitary landfill.

Water Pollution: Researchers in Japan have built a phone-linked sensor to detect “forever chemicals” in water, offering a portable way to monitor contamination. Solar Waste: Japan is proposing a 50-tonne threshold that would trigger solar-panel recycling plans, as the country prepares for a growing wave of end-of-life panels. Extreme Weather: Two studies found climate change made rainfall from Typhoon Dujuan in Japan about 40% heavier. Wildlife: A wildlife expert warns Japan’s bear problem could take a decade to address, while reports also highlight an invasive plant spreading through the country’s waterways.