Climate Change, Environment & Energy

Renewable energy and issues of energy efficiency and the environment

For the past 20 years, the programme has promoted cooperation in energy fields with a view to deepening knowledge of the current state of R&D in the sector and thereby facilitate mutual understanding and effective collaboration between the EU and Japan.

The Centre’s current energy-related activities include:

• commissioning publications on energy sources or on energy-related issues (see below);
• attending or organising seminars on energy issues (see below);
• maintaining links with energy experts, associations, etc. in the EU and following developments in EU energy policy;
• organising occasional missions for Japanese experts to visit EU energy companies, regulators or other energy experts or vice versa; and,
• answering inquiries about the energy sector in the other region.

Seminars

Doha Climate Gateway: Assessment and Opportunities from the EU and Japanese Perspectives

Date: Tuesday, 19 March 2013, 16:00 - 18:00 (Networking Cocktail 18:00 - )
Place: Delegation of the European Union to Japan (Tokyo)
Co-organised by: Delegation of the European Union to Japan and the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

Overview:
The COP18/CMP8 (Doha, 2012) addressed a series of important and controversial issues concerning how to pave the way from the old climate regime to a new global climate agreement with all countries, to be adopted in 2015.

In this seminar, Mr. Artur Runge-Metzger, Director for International & Climate Strategy of the European Commission’s DG Climate Action and the EU’s chief negotiator for international climate negotiations, discussed the EU’s perspectives on the road to a 2015 agreement on climate change and its opportunities The seminar was also joined by the representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Environment (MoE) to update the audience about Japan’s strategic actions on climate change.

Details

Promoting Energy Efficiency Actions in Industry through Corporate Networks in Europe and Japan

Date: Tuesday, 29 January 2013, 14:00 - 16:00
Place: Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Organised by: the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

Overview:
Following the electricity crisis which hit Japan in 2011, many Japanese enterprises introduced measures to save energy in their business and accomplished significant improvement in their energy efficiency performances.

In order to improve further the industry’s energy efficiency performance throughout the world, it is important to spread and learn from the knowledge and the best practices of actions with high energy-efficiency gains.

This seminar aims at presenting the actions being taken in Europe and Japan for facilitating such exchanges and transfers of energy-saving know-how among companies, factories, offices, buildings, etc.

Details

Energy Security & Sustainability Challenges: The EU, Japanese & Asian Responses

Date: Friday, 14 September 2012, from 14:00 to 16:00
Place: European Commission, Centre Borschette, 36 rue Froissart, 1040 Brussels (room 2B)
Co-organised by: the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

Overview:
The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation invites you to attend a seminar analysing the range of energy issues facing Europe, Japan, Asia and the rest of the world and offering long-term answers.

18 months after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan like the rest of the world is facing a series of challenges if it is to have a low-carbon future: the roles nuclear power and fossil fuels must have in the energy mix; the impact the ever-growing Asian economies will have on global energy supply; how to increase the share of renewable energy; how to ensure greater energy efficiency given current resource limitations; which energy mix would be reliable; how international cooperation can help.

Details

New International Developments in Trade in Legal Timber

Date: Friday, 23 March 2012, 10:00 - 12:30 + Networking Lunch
Place: The Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Co-organised by: The Delegation of the European Union to Japan, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Participation: Free (pre-registration required)
Language: English / Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation)

Overview:
Forestry is the subject of much media and international political attention as its intrinsic link to climate change is well recognised. Timber and timber products play a key role in being part of the solution. Markets and international trade are instruments that can address deforestation and poor governance thus increasing transparency in the forest sector and encouraging the sustainable management of forests.

Europe, Japan, US, Australia and China are important markets for forest products. In some regions policies and legislation aimed specifically at tackling illegal logging already exist and some are under development.

The European Union adopted a new Timber Regulation in 2010 with a view to combating trade in illegally harvested timber. This EU regulation will enter into force on March 2013.

This seminar is a unique opportunity to learn the latest policy developments on the issue of trade in legal timber and to facilitate the exchange of information and discussion between the world’s key markets for forest products.

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Towards Post-Kyoto Framework for International Climate Change Actions: Perspectives from the EU and Japan

Date: Friday, 29 February 2012, 10:00 - 12:00
Place: The Delegation of the European Union to Japan
Co-organised by: The Delegation of the European Union to Japan, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Participation: Free (capacity 180 seats, pre-registration required)
Language: English / Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation)

Overview:
The COP17/CMP7 (Durban, 2011) delivered a welcome agreement in the fight against climate change. After two weeks of negotiations, the 195 Parties to the UN climate change convention agreed on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, under which Parties will develop “a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties”. Negotiations are to be finalised by 2015 at the latest, and the results will come into effect from 2020.

The Durban conference also agreed on a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and it made operational the new Green Climate Fund for developing countries. In parallel, the EU and Japan are developing domestic policies to meet mid and long-term emission reduction targets.

In this seminar, Mr. Artur Runge-Metzger, EU Chief Negotiator for international climate change negotiations, will present the EU’s assessment of COP17/CMP7 and the latest developments in EU climate policy.

The seminar will also be joined by representatives from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Environment to outline the Japanese assessment of COP17 and measures being taken in Japan. Prof. Hironori Hamanaka, Chairman of IGES will conclude by discussing climate policies from a global perspective.

Details

Ensuring furure mobility:
Europe and Japan working together to address their sustainable transport needs

Date: 17 February 2012
Place: Centre Européen d’Etudes Japonaises d’Alsace (CEEJA), Alsace, France

Overview:
This Workshop will look at the necessary public and private initiatives to ensure that Europe and Japan will develop technological solutions to mobility issues.

Details

European and Japanese Energy Policy after Fukushima

Date: Friday, 2 December 2011, 14:00 - 17:30
Place: The Delegation of the European Union to Japan (Europa House, 4-6-28Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku)
Organisers: The Delegation of the European Union to Japan, The Polish Embassy in Japan, The Hungarian Embassy in Japan, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Participation: Free (200 seats / pre-registration required)
Language: English / Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation)

Overview:
The crisis in Fukushima has led to a re-evaluation of energy policies in the world, notably in Japan and in Europe. National debates focus on building a new and better energy mix which could support the prospects of sustainable economic development by taking into account the lessons learned and the public sentiment on the recent events.

The EU is currently developing a “Energy Roadmap 2050”, a long-term vision on energy policy and energy efficiency, which the European Commission is expected to publish towards the end of this year. Energy security is also a priority for Poland and Hungary who consecutively led the EU Presidency this year.

In this seminar, we invite speakers from Japan and Europe to discuss key issues and developments for re-thinking our energy policy today. The seminar will start with a keynote speech by Mr Nobuo Tanaka, former Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), who returned to Japan in September 2011.

Details

Energy Policy in Japan: Post-Fukushima

Date: 28 November 2011
Place: University Foundation, Brussels, Belgium
Organiser: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

Overview:
On Monday 28 November 2011, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation organised a session on “Energy Policy in Japan: Post-Fukushima" in the framework of the 14th Japan-EU Conference. Mr Shinji Fujino, Head of Country Studies Division, International Energy Agency(IEA) presented the current progress of reconsidering energy policy in Japan after the disastrous earthquake and tsunami and described its implications for Japan based on his personal view and IEA’s view. The session was concluded by sharing his views on what we could learn from Japan after Fukushima and from Europe for future and what would be the common challenge for Europe and Japan.

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Towards the Improvement of the Green Car Environment : Latest Policy Developments and Possibility for Cooperation between EU and Japan

Date: Tuesday, 26 October 2010, 14:00 – 16:15
Place: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (13-3 Ichiban-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Organiser: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Participation: Free (Registration required)
Language: English / Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation)

Overview:
The European Commission has been pushing for the development of green cars in the transport sector, one of Europe’s key industries and a major emitter of CO2 (28% of the EU total CO2 emissions). After the adoption of the “Green Car Initiative” (part of the European Economic Recovery Plan in November 2008), the European Commission issued the “European Strategy on clean and energy efficient vehicles” in April 2010. The strategy aimed to provide an appropriate and technology neutral policy framework for clean and energy efficient vehicles by following two key elements simultaneously : promotion of clean & energy efficient vehicles based on conventional internal combustion engines and facilitation of the development of breakthrough technologies in ultra-low-carbon vehicles .

In this seminar, Mr. Philippe Jean, Head of the Automotive Unit in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enterprise & Industry, and Mr Shigeaki Tanaka, Director for Automotive Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, outlined the EU and Japanese policies for building proper national and global environments for the development of green cars.

In this seminar, Mr. Artur Runge-Metzger, Director for International and Climate Strategy at the Directorate-General Climate Action of the European Commission, and the EU’s chief negotiator in international climate change negotiations, will present the EU's position in the run-up to COP16 and what can be expected in the next few months. After his talk, speakers from the Japanese government will take the floor to share with the audience the Japanese positions on the next steps for the international climate change negotiations.

Details

International Climate Change Negotiations: EU and Japanese Positions in the Run-up to COP 16

Date: Thursday 30 September 2010, 10:00 – 12:00
Place: Grand Arc Hanzomon, 3rd floor, Room Hana, Tokyo, Japan
Organiser: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
With support of: The Delegation of the European Union to Japan : Nikkei Business Publications Eco Management Forum
Participation: Free (Registration required)
Language: English / Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation)

Overview:
On Thursday 30 September 2010, the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Japan and Nikkei Business Publications Eco Management Forum, organised in Tokyo a seminar on “International Climate Change Negotiations: EU and Japanese Positions in the Run-up to COP16". In this event, Mr. Jurgen Lefevere, Policy Coordinator, International Climate Change Negotiations, Directorate-General for Climate Action at the European Commission, presented the EU position in the run-up to COP16 and, on the Japanese side, Ambassador Mutsuyoshi Nishimura, Special Advisor to the Cabinet in charge of Climate Change, detailed his views what is at stake in this international negotiation, whilst Mr. Keisuke Murakami, Director, Global Environment Affairs Office, Industrial Science & Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), presented the audience the Japanese contribution to the international climate change negotiations through technology.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen in December 2009 (COP15) failed to conclude a legally binding agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, adopted in 1997. The parties only agreed to “take note” of what became the Copenhagen Accord, an agreement that contains a number of positive elements but fell short of the high expectations. In December 2010, COP16 will take place in Cancun, Mexico. The negotiating parties have tried all over this year to bridge the gaps left open by the Copenhagen talks.

Details

20 years after Rio – International Initiative for Sustainable Development : Perspectives from EU and Japan

Date: Friday 10 September 2010, 10:30 – 12:30
Place: Hotel New Otani, The Main, Fuyo-Nishi Room, Tokyo, Japan
Organiser: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Participation: Free (capacity 200)
Language: English / Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation)

Overview: Nearly 20 years have passed since the “UN Conference on Environment and Development: UNCED (so called “Earth Summit” or “Rio Summit”)” took place in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The Rio Summit resulted in the “Rio Declaration on Environment and Development”, “Agenda 21”, “Forest Principles” and also marked the beginning of the “Convention on Biological Diversity” and the “Framework Convention on Climate Change”.　Twenty years after the Rio Summit, “UN Conference on Sustainable Development: UNCSD” will take place in 2012 as a follow-up. The UNCSD aims to address implementation gaps and future challenges, with a specific focus on the following issues: Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; Institutional framework for sustainable development; Reviewing the implementation of outcomes of past summits on sustainable development.

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European Initiatives for Promoting Smart Communities

Date: 14 July 2010
Place: Pacifico Yokohama (During the Electric Vehicle Development Technology Exhibition (EVEX) & Clean Energy & Smart Grid Fair (CSF) 2010), Tokyo, Japan
Organisers: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation
Details

Promoting Renewable Energy in Europe:
Regulatory Developments at the EU Level and Introduction of Policy & Research Initiatives by EU Member States

Date: 30 June 2010, 16:00 – 18:00
Place: Pacifico Yokohama (during the Renewable Energy International Exhibition 2010), Tokyo, Japan
Organisers: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation / UK Embassy

Details

Importance of Environmental Quality Control (EQC) for companies
Insight of EU and Japan approaches

Date: 8 June 2010 Location:Brussels, Belgium Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Overview: Starting with an overview of how Europe and Japan are now developing regulatory pressures, this seminar will focus on how companies may enjoy growth opportunities arising from these new constraints. The purpose will be not only to reduce environmental impact and improve company images, but also to set up a global strategy towards the newly created markets or those to emerge soon. Details

Climate Change Negotiations after Copenhagen – Now What?

Date: 3 March 2010, 10:00 – 12:00 Location:Tokyo, Japan Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Tokyo, Japan Co-organised by: The Delegation of the European Union to Japan Overview: For this seminar EU’s lead negotiator, Mr. Artur Runge-Metzger, presented the EU's view on Copenhagen and what can be expected in the next few months. His presentation was followed by speakers from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment to outline the Japanese views on the next steps for the international climate change negotiations. Details and report

CO2 Reduction in Road Transport
Towards a Low-Carbon Society for the Global Automotive Industry

Date: 30 September 2009 Location:Brussels, Belgium Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Overview: The global automotive industry faces two enormous challenges: overcoming the economic crisis and addressing climate change. Emissions from road transport currently contribute around 16% of the CO2 produced today. Reducing CO2 through vehicle technologies, however, is very expensive and significant investment in new technologies will be necessary to reach these challenging targets in the mid and long-term. At the same time, the automotive industry is charged with the responsibility of being a catalyst for economic growth by creating jobs and enhancing innovation. Details and report

The Role of ICT in Reducing Carbon Emissions and Promoting Energy Efficiency: Initiatives in the EU and Japan

Date: 16 September 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Language: English/Japanese (simultaneous interpretation) Overview: 14:30 Opening remark, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation 14:35 “Role of ICT in Sustainable Growth: EU’s initiative” Speaker: Ms Merce Griera, Research Programme Officer, ICT for Sustainable Growth Unit, Directorate-General for Information Society and Media, European Commission 15:25 “Promotion of Green IT” Speaker: Mr. Hidekazu Hasegawa, Deputy Manager, Green IT Promotion Council – Japan 16:05 Q & A 16:30 Closing remark, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Report: The Role of ICT in Reducing Carbon Emissions and Promoting Energy Efficiency: Initiatives in the EU and Japan Pictures of the event. Click on a thumbnail to zoom in. Opening remarks Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Presentation by Ms Merce Griera, Research Programme Officer, ICT for Sustainable Growth Unit, Directorate-General for Information Society and Media, European Commission Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Ms Merce Griera, Research Programme Officer, ICT for Sustainable Growth Unit, Directorate-General for Information Society and Media, European Commission Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Presentation by Mr. Hidekazu Hasegawa, Deputy Manager, Green IT Promotion Council – Japan Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Mr. Hidekazu Hasegawa, Deputy Manager, Green IT Promotion Council – Japan Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Questions from audience Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Tackling Climate Change: A Japanese Perspective towards Copenhagen (8 July 2009) Venue: 8 July 2009, CEPS Conference Room, 1, Place du Congrès - 1000 Brussels Seminar organised by CEPS, in cooperation with the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation. Speaker: Mutsuyoshi Nishimura, Special Adviser to the Japanese Cabinet on Climate Change Chair: Christian Egenhofer, Senior Fellow & Head of the Energy and Climate Change Unit, CEPS Please click here for details on this seminar. EU’s Renewable Energy Policy and the Latest Trend Date: Wednesday 24 June 2009, 14:00 – 16:30 Venue: Makuhari Messe, International Conference Hall, 3rd Floor, Meeting Room 302 Co-organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, British Embassy in Japan Language: English/Japanese (simultaneous interpretation) Programme: 14:00 Opening remark 14:05 – 14:45 “EU Policy and the Latest Development in Climate Change and Renewable Energy - Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative” Speaker: Mr. Herbert Wancura, Vice-chair, New Energy World – European Industry Grouping for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative, CEO, NTDA Energia 14:45 – 15:15 “Renewable Energy – Developments and Plans in the UK” Speaker: Dr. Adam Brown, Sector Champion - Renewable Energy, UK Trade & Investment 15:15 – 15:45 “Wind energy projects in the UK coastal area” Speaker: Mr. Rob Hastings, Director of Marine Estate, The Crown Estate 15:45 – 16:30 Q & A and Discussion 16:30 Closing remark Report: EU’s Renewable Energy Policy and the Latest Trend Pictures of the event. Click on a thumbnail to zoom in. Opening remarks Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Speakers Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Presentation by Mr. Wancura, Vice-chair, New Energy World – European Industry Grouping for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Presentation by Dr. Brown, Sector Champion - Renewable Energy, UK Trade & Investment Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Presentation by Mr. Hastings, Director of Marine Estate, The Crown Estate Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Questions from audience Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 How should industries respond to REACH and globally influential EU standards Date: Friday 03 April 2009, 17:00 – 18:30 Venue: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Language: English/Japanese (simultaneous interpretation) Registration fee: Free Overview: REACH, the new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use, entered into force on 1 June 2007, with the aim to improve the protection of human health and environment while enhancing innovative capability and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry. The REACH Regulation gives greater responsibility to industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the substances. Under the Regulation, manufacturers and importers of a substance or preparation in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year are required to gather and register information on the properties of their chemical substances in order to produce or import into the EU market. Equally, downstream users of a substance or preparation are required to apply risk management measures for substances marked as dangerous in the safety data sheet which suppliers of the substance provide. In this seminar, Ms Astrid Schomaker, the Head of Chemical Unit at the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission, presented the recent developments in the EU and outlook concerning REACH. The seminar was joined by Mr Fumiaki Shono, the Vice Secretary General for the REACH Taskforce at Japan Chemical Industry Association, to present the impact of REACH and the global trends in chemical substances management and discuss how Japanese industries should respond. Programme: 17:00 Opening remark, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial cooperation 17:05 – 17:35 “REACH - Recent developments in the EU and outlook" Ms Astrid Schomaker, Head of Chemical Unit, DG Environmemt, European Commission 17:35 – 18:05 "Japanese chemical industry's response to REACH" Dr. Fumiaki Shono, Vice Secretary General, REACH Taskforce / General Manager, Chemical Management Department, Japan Chemical Industry Association 18:05 – 18:30 Q&A 18:30 Closing remarks, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial cooperation Report: How should industries respond to REACH and globally influential EU standards? Pictures of the event. Click on a thumbnail to zoom in. Audience Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Presentation by Ms Astrid Schomaker, Head of Chemical Unit, DG Environmemt, European Commission Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Presentation by Dr. Fumiaki Shono, Vice Secretary General, REACH Taskforce / General Manager, Chemical Management Department, Japan Chemical Industry Association Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Towards a Climate Change Agreement in Copenhagen Date & Time: Tuesday 10 February 2009, 14:00 – 16:00 Venue: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (Tokyo office, Japan) Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Overview: 2009 will be a crucial year for the global climate change negotiations. The world is expected to agree on further international action to tackle climate change, at the Copenhagen climate change conference in December. Much work remains to be done before Copenhagen. The EU has thus far been leading the global climate discussions and has underlined this leadership with the adoption of the climate change and energy package in December last year. Furthermore, a new Communication was published last month to address key elements that will be crucial for a successful outcome of the Copenhagen negotiations and the need to further develop and improve global carbon market. Among the topics discussed in the Communication are: the targets for developed countries; appropriate action to be undertaken by developing countries; and finance that will need to be foreseen to support this action. In this seminar, Mr Jürgen Lefevere, policy coordinator for international climate change negotiations at the European Commission, introduced the European Commission’s new Communication “Towards a comprehensive climate change agreement in Copenhagen” and presented the EU’s views on the negotiations that should lead to an international agreement in Copenhagen. In doing so, he also touched upon the results of the Climate Change Conference held in Poznan and discussed the EU's climate and energy package that was adopted in December 2008 which is designed to help Europe transform into a low-carbon economy. The seminar was joined by speakers from Japanese Ministries of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and of Environment (MoE) to present the Japanese views on the direction of international climate change negotiations towards Copenhagen. Programme: 14:00 Opening remark, Mr. Julien Guerrier, General Manager, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation 14:05 “The EU views on the Road to Copenhagen” Speaker: Mr. Jürgen Lefevere, Policy Coordinator, International Climate Change Negotiations, Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission 14:50 “Japanese views” Speakers: - Mr. Atsushi Taketani, Director, Global Environment Affairs Office, Industrial Science & Technology Policy & Environment Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry - Mr. Kunihiko Shimada, Principal International Policy Coordinator/ Principal International Negotiator, Global Environment Bureau, Ministry of the Environment 15:30 Q & A 16:00 Closing remark, Mr. Hiroshi Tsukamoto, General Manager, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation. Report: Towards a Climate Change Agreement in Copenhagen Report Pictures of the event. Click on a thumbnail to zoom in. Presentation by Mr. Jürgen Lefevere, Policy Coordinator, International Climate Change Negotiations, Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Presentation by Mr. Taketani, Director, Global Environment Affairs Office, Industrial Science & Technology Policy & Environment Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Questions from audience Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2009 Energy Efficiency in Buildings, the European Experience and the Japanese Situation Date & Time: 28 November 2008, 15:00 - 17:30 Venue: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (Tokyo office, Japan) Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Overview: The 160 million buildings in the EU use over 40% of Europe’s energy and create over 40% of its carbon dioxide emissions. Research shows that more than one-fifth of the present energy consumption could be saved by 2010 by applying more ambitious standards to　buildings, which represents a considerable contribution to meeting the Kyoto targets. The aim of improved energy efficiency has been set out in earlier existing legal instruments. Among the main EU legislation for the sector are the Boiler Directive (92/42/EEC), the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC) and the buildings provisions in the SAVE Directive (93/76/EEC). The Directive on the energy performance of buildings, in force since January 2003, builds on those measures in order to provide for an ambitious step-ahead to increase the energy performance of public, commercial and private buildings in all Member States. In this seminar, two speakers from a leading European company in building sector presented how Europe is promoting energy efficiency in buildings (with particular focus on glass and insulation). The seminar was joined by a speaker from Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to introduce the current Japanese initiatives for energy-saving buildings. Additional insights from an architect and a journalist into the possibility of cultivating more grounds for energy-saving houses in Japan supplemented the discussion. Programme: 15:00 Opening remark, Mr. Julien Guerrier, General Manager, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation 15:05 Presentation 1 - "Glass as a tool for energy-savings: An overview of possibilities, performances and regulations in Europe" by Mr. Philippe Valery, President / Representative Director, Saint-Gobain HanGlas (Japan) K.K Presentation 2 - "The European regulation for thermal insulation: norms, implementation, recommendations, incentives" by Mr. Francois-Xavier Lienhart, President, MAG Co. Ltd. 15:50 Presentation 3 - "The Japanese policies towards energy efficiency in homes and buildings" by Mr. Hiroshi Watanabe, Director, Housing Industry, Ceramics and Construction Materials Division, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 16:10 Presentation 4 - "The Japanese energy saving house - Point of view of a pioneer in the domain" by Mr. Yoshimasa Makiko, Architect, Designing Department, Hokushu Co. Presentation 5 - "The value of the energy saving houses - The residential market in an evolving Japan" by Mr. Junichiro Yamaoka, Journalist 16:45 Q & A 17:30 Closing. Report: Energy Efficiency in Buildings, the European Experience and the Japanese Situation Report Pictures of the event. Click on a thumbnail to zoom in. Presentation by Mr. Philippe Valery (Saint Gobain) Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2008 Presentation by Mr. Hiroshi Watanabe (METI) Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2008 Audience Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2008 Commercialising CCS in the EU & Japan (12/11/2008) With fossil fuels remaining a major source for generating electricity and rising demand for coal, there is a broad international consensus that only by using carbon capture & storage (CCS) technology will we be able to reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector. This half-day seminar brought together key actors from the EU and Japanese Authorities and from industry to explain the new regulatory frameworks, how a series of demonstration projects could be managed, the expectations of industry and broader international aspects of CCS regulation. Please click here to get details on that seminar. The EU Single Market for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Date & Time: Friday, 26 September 2008, 18:00 -19:30 Venue: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (Tokyo office, Japan) Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Speakers: Mr. Ferenc Pekar, Economic Analyst / Desk Office for motor vehicle legislation, Unit F.1 (Automotive Industry), DG Enterprise & Industry Mr. Kazuyuki Narusawa, Principal Researcher, Environment Research Department, National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, Japan, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Overview: Cars produce nearly 14 % of the European Union’s CO2 emissions and hydrogen is seen helping the EU meet its ambitious goals of curbing emissions by a fifth by 2020 (compared to the 1990 level). On 3 September the European Parliament voted in favour of the European Commission’s proposal for a new regulation for hydrogen-powered cars. If adopted, a single approval will be sufficient for the entire EU market. The proposed regulation, considering that hydrogen technology is still evolving, also aims to guarantee that all hydrogen vehicles put on the EU market meet equivalent levels of safety as those for conventional vehicles. In this seminar, Mr. Ferenc Pekár, an Economic Analyst dealing with automotive industry in theDirectorate-General for Enterprise & Industry of the European Commission, talked about the EU’s move towards a harmonised and competitive market for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCV). The seminar was joined by Mr. Kazuyuki Narusawa from the National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, Japan to present the Japanese Ministry of Transport’s perspective on the future of hydrogen cars. There was information on the EU research programme related to hydrogen / fuel cells as well as the development process for the Global Technical Regulation for HFCV, an initiative involving Japan, EU and the US to smooth regulatory differences worldwide. Language: English / Japanese (with simultaneous interpretation) Programme: 18:00 Opening remark, Mr. Julien Guerrier, General Manager, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation 18:05 Presentation by Mr. Ferenc Pekár, Economic Analyst / Desk Officer for motor vehicle legislation, Unit F.1 (Consumer Goods - Automotive Industry), DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission 18:30 Comments by Mr. Kazuyuki Narusawa, Principal Researcher, Environment Research Department, National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, Japan 19:00 Q & A 19:30 Closing remark, Mr. Hiroshi Tsukamoto, General Manager, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Report: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Seminar Report Pictures of the event. Click on a thumbnail to zoom in. Speakers: Mr. Kazuyuki Narusawa, Principal Researcher, Environment Research Department, National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory, Japan Mr. Ferenc Pekár, Economic Analyst / Desk Officer for motor vehicle legislation, Unit F.1 (Consumer Goods - Automotive Industry), DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2008 Audience Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2008 Audience Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2008 EU Renewable Energy Policy Date & Time: Wednesday, 30 July 2008, 14:00-16:00 Venue:Tokyo Big Sight Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Speakers: Bruno SCHMITZ, Head of Unit of the “New and Renewable Energy Sources” Unit, Directorate-General for Research, European Commission Adam BROWN, Sector Champion for the Renewable Sector, UK Trade and Investment Overview: The development of renewable energy - particularly energy from wind, water, solar power and biomass - is a central goal of the European Commission's energy policy. Renewable energy is receiving increasing attention in light of soaring demand for energy across the globe, which is currently driving the economic and environmental costs of traditional fossil fuels to unsustainable levels. 　The European Commission's White Paper for a Community Strategy entitled “Energy for the Future” sets out a strategy to double the share of renewable energies in gross domestic energy consumption in the European Union by 2010 (from the present 6% to 12%). 　The seminar presented policy developments and applications of renewable energy in the EU which are　expected to be economically competitive with conventional energy sources in the medium to long term. The “Renewable Energy 2008 Tokyo Fair” brought together investors, industrialists, and policymakers who are involved in promoting and developing renewable energies and other clean energies. The fair was managed by the Japan council for renewable energy. Report: Renewable Energy Seminar Report Pictures of the event. Click on a thumbnail to zoom in. Mr. Bruno Schmitz (DG Research, European Commission) Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2008 Audience Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2008 Audience Photo © EU-Japan Centre, 2008 Seminar offered by the EU-Japan Centre in Tokyo Date & Time: Tuesday, 10 June 2008 Venue: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation (Address: 13-3 Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) Organised by: EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Speaker: Mr. Stefan LIEBING, International Government Relations Advisor, Shell International BV Overview: Energy matters are discussed with high public attention these days. Oil and fuel price developments, energy security and new technologies are of high importance both in domestic political discussions and international negotiations about Climate Change. Royal Dutch Shell has recently published its Energy Scenarios to 2050, a document that describes Shell´s views about the future of energy systems in two scenarios. During the seminar, Shell's speaker presented a summary of the scenarios and the impact of different pathways taken in international negotiations, leading to the "three hard truths about energy". Report: Shell Seminar Report Reducing CO2 Emissions in the Automobile Sector "Japan and EU" (18/9/2007) The seminar brought together representatives from the Japanese government, the European Commission, the European Parliament, industry and NGO. The objective was to compare the European and Japanese approaches in order to identify "best practices". Co-organiser: JAMA. Venue: Hotel Sofitel, Brussels Moderator Mr. Malcolm Harbour MEP Session 1. : CO2 Emissions Reduction in Japan and EU Mr. Ryo Maeda, Deputy Director, Automobile Division, METI Dr. Reinhard Schulte-Braucks, Head of Unit, DG Enterprise, European Commission Mr. Martin Callanan, MEP Mr. Takao Onoda, Energy Efficiency Policy Analyst (Transportation) International Energy Agency Session 2. : Integrated Approach Mr. Kouichi Miyazawa, Director, Global Environmental Policy Office, MLIT Mrs. Caroline Ofoegbu, Deputy Director General, FIA European Bureau Mr. Greg Archer, Director of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership

Publications

Year	Report topic
2007	Energy Efficiency in Life-Styles: Europe and Japan
2005	Study of the Introduction of Renewable Energy in the EU
2004	Renewable Energy Sources in the new Member States of the EU, Germany and Italy
2003	Hydrogen Fuel Cells
2002	Wind Power Generation
2001	Waste-fired Power Generation
2000	Analysis of the Electricity Sector Liberalisation in EU Member States
2000	Analysis of the Support Policy in EU Member States for Renewable Energy

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