Preventing climate change does not only require the individuals' action but also the establishment of social, economic, legal and tax and fiscal policies to support these efforts. To this end, Kiko Network has research the current policies and measures on climate change, voiced its opinions, and taken action.

Continuous Efforts to being Watch Dog

To work on the policies, we need to collect information. Kiko Network communicates with various relevant ministries and industrial groups, and gathers information from these groups. And also Kiko Network continuously observes discussion of various governmental councils such as the Central Environment Council, the Industrial Structure Council, and the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy.

Participation in Government Committees, responding public comments

Kiko Network's President, Ms. Asaoka, became a member of a government committee to present the perspective of an environmental NGO. In addition, Kiko Network gave its opinion during opportunities for public comment.

Lobbying to Members of the Japanese Diet (Parliament)

In order to influence decisions relevant to environmental issues, Kiko Network participated in international and domestic negotiations, and lobbying members of the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors of Japanese Diet.

Pressuring the Japanese Diet to Make Laws

Kiko Network with other NGOs has been actively promoting the enactment of new laws.

Participation with Freon Net:

Among the industrialized nations, only Japan had no law to regulate the emissions of CFCs and HCFCs. Kiko Network participated in the Japan-wide effort to ban the emissions of fluorinated gas. As part of this effort, Freon-Net was established to realize legislation to ban the emissions of fluorinated gas. These efforts partly resulted in a new law "Fluorocarbons Recovery and Destruction Law". (June 2001)

Participation with Green Energy Network (GEN)

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass benefit from favorable fixed prices in Germany through Feed-in Tariff law. GEN was established in 1999 to promote enacting similar laws in Japan. Kiko Network has been involved in GEN since the beginning. In addition, Kiko Network has been active with members of the Parliamentary Alliance for Promotion of Renewable to enact new laws.

Making Policy Suggestions to the Japanese Government

Kiko Network has worked with NGOs and academics to research and present policy options to the government. In 2000, we presented a citizenﾕs alternative proposal to achieve a 6% reduction target of the Kyoto Protocol. This proposal showed that achieving 6% reduction target is possible to meet without relying on carbon sinks or Kyoto mechanisms. It is also economically feasible.

Working With the Local Community

Climate change is not only a national issue, but also it is a local issue. Kiko Network took Kyoto city as an example to examine policies needed and practical actions to prevent climate change at local level, and proposed various policies and measures.

Kiko Network also participated in "Miyako Agenda 21 Forum" which collaborated with Kyoto City. Kiko Network works with several other local governments, such as coordination of the establishment of basic environmental plans for Joyo city in Kyoto Prefecture.