Decarbonizing Cities in Japan and New Zealand

A Comparative Study of Urban Policy Developments

抄録

This study aims to identify national and local challenges and best practices amid urban decarbonization policy, with a comparative case study approach focused on Japan and New Zealand. Insights on three perspectives — government initiatives for decarbonizing cities, integration of climate action in urban planning, and challenges in promoting decarbonization — were obtained through interviews with four local governments in Japan, two local governments and the central government in New Zealand. In Japan, progress on specific initiatives has been limited, as urban planning departments face difficulties in developing decarbonization strategies. In contrast, it was revealed that local governments in New Zealand have a progressive attitude towards climate change. This means assigning staff to climate change initiatives across sectors and developing urban and transport plans with specific actions to address climate change. However, recent policy changes to the resource management system in New Zealand will not directly encourage climate change mitigation in the land use sector. One of the challenges faced by New Zealand planners relates to advancing national and local decarbonization strategies while complying with rapidly changing central government policies.