On 23 May 2018 in Tokyo, 22 cities adopted the Tokyo Declaration on Realization of Clean Cities and Clear Skies. The declaration, driven by the Tokyo mottanaispirit – meaning too precious to waste – underscores not only the importance of achieving clear skies, but also outlines specific pathways towards this goal. It emphasizes, for example, the adoption of measures to promote zero-emission vehicles and reduce air pollutants in participating cities.
The declaration was released at the Tokyo Forum for Clean City and Clear Sky, hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and introduced by the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike.
“The expectation for cities in advancing sustainable development is rising,” said Governor Koike in her opening remarks. “We must strongly unite and continue to work together to make clean cities and clear skies a reality.
Participating cities, from Tokyo to Paris to Durban will undertake specific measures to:
- Improve waste management and material cycling
- Optimize resource efficiency
- Create mechanisms for citizen and city-business engagement
- Cooperate with global organizations like ICLEI, C40, the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency
Fora like these spark new momentum and transnational cooperation that will help deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
As an official Cities and Regions Talanoa Dialogue event, the forum feeds into the message ICLEI will bring to COP24, the 24th United Nations Climate Change conference in Katowice this December. As ICLEI pushes for stronger linkages between national climate and urban policy, we leverage examples of cross-sectoral policies and actions at the city level. They are a model for how integrated thinking can deliver on national and global targets.
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ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability participated in the Tokyo Forum for Clean City and Clear Sky as a supporting partner.
Read more about the Tokyo Forum for Clean City and Clear Sky.
Read the Tokyo Declaration on Realization of Clean Cities and Clear Skies.
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