Since the adoption of the Paris agreement in December 2015, the role of non-state players with the aim of realizing a decarbonized society has become more significant than ever. Non-state parties include companies, local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others, who have not necessarily been at the center of past climate change discussions.
However, things began to change when the We Are Still In coalition was established in the United States in 2017, committing to the Paris agreement after the announcement by the Trump administration of its intent to withdraw from the agreement. Following this, similar movements to establish cross-sectoral organizations of non-state players have been taking hold in other countries.
Japan is also part of this global trend. In July 2018, the Japan Climate Initiative (JCI), a group of non-governmental parties fighting against climate change, was launched. The JCI was established based on the recognition that a transition to a decarbonized society yields new opportunities for growth and development. It started with the founding members of 105 organizations, including leading companies in fields such as information and communications technology, finance, construction, housing, energy, food and retail, as well as local governments, consumer organizations, think tanks and NGOs.