I. Title of the Best Practice

II. Overview of the Best Practice

A. Features of Law Concerning the Promotion of Measures to Prevent Global Warming (hereinafter, the "Promotion Law")

1. Background
The Promotion Law is the first law ever legislated in Japan with the express purpose of preventing global warming. It was promulgated on 9 October 1998. It provides the framework for central government, local governments, commercial enterprises and citizens to cooperate to take action to prevent global warming.

2. Features of the law

• It focuses on the prevention of global warming and clarifies the role of all social actors involved.
• It promotes measures to reduce the emissions of six greenhouse gases identified in the Kyoto Protocol.
• It encourages public reporting of the status of planning and implementation by central and local governments and others. The central government is to estimate and report annually to the public the total emission levels of greenhouse gases.
• It promotes not only national initiatives but also measures adapted to local conditions as well. For this reason, it calls on local governments to fulfill the potential roles within their responsibility to deal with global issues.
• It establishes frameworks to make it easier and more effective for citizens to take action to prevent global warming. Examples include, Prefectural Centers for the Promotion of Activities to Prevent Global Warming, Volunteers for the Promotion of Activities to Prevent Global Warming.

B. Reasons for Inclusion as a Best Practice

• It is challenging and emerging approach. The enactment of a law aimed at preventing global warming is a first not only in Japan, but also in the world.
• It can contribute to the formation of future policies to prevent global warming. The Promotion Law clarifies the responsibilities of each social actor. In particular, central and local governments have duties to formulate plans to reduce greenhouse gases and publicly report their achievements. Through this, the law will promote the establishment of concrete measures to prevent global warming.
• It can serve as a model for developed countries besides the G8 countries in implementing domestic initiatives. Clarification of the responsibilities of each social actor and the announcement of the results of their actions will provide useful references for domestic actions of social actors in other developed countries.

C. Problems and their Solutions
In enforcing this law, the Environment Agency originally submitted a proposal that would have required commercial enterprises to report their measures to their prefectural government. However, in the end agreement was reached that the law would include frameworks to encourage voluntary efforts by industry.

III. Categorizing the Best Practice

1. Classification(s)
( X ) Regulatory Approach (Policy approaches-regulations, incentives, etc.)
( ) Practical Action (Action undertaken independently by a social actor)
( ) Social Network Mechanism (Cooperative structure)

2. Social Actor(s) Involved
( X ) Citizens
( X ) Central government
( X ) Local government
( X ) Business

3. Sector(s)
( X ) Energy
( X ) Residential
( X ) Industrial
( X ) Transportation
( X ) Commerce
( X ) Agriculture/Land Use/ Forestry
( ) Others ( )

4. Target Greenhouse Gas(es)
( X ) CO2
( X ) CH4
( X ) N2O
( X ) HFC
( X ) PFC
( X ) SF6
( ) Other ( )

IV. List of Attachments

Omitted

V. Please indicate a person to contact for more information about this Best Practice.

Contact Person:	Ryutaro Yatsu
Title:	Advisor
Organization:	Office of Climate Change Policy, Global Environment Department, Environmental Agency of Japan
Email:	ryutaro_yatsu@eanet.go.jp
	cdm.ji@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Tel:	+81-3-3581-3351 (ext. 6283)
Fax:	+81-3-3581-4815
Address:	1-2-2, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-4801, Japan
Note:	N/A