Webinar on the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) Implementation in Republic of Palau – Utilizing the JCM during the COVID-19 Period –

Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan (MOEJ), the Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC) and Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. in collaboration with Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce, Republic of Palau (MPIIC) jointly organized “Webinar on the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM*1) Implementation in Republic of Palau – Utilizing the JCM during the COVID-19 Period -” on Friday, February 26, 2021. This webinar received more than 80 applications from Palau, Japan, etc.

In this webinar, the opening remarks was provided by the Mr. Sugimura, Second secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Palau, then the progress of JCM in Palau was shared by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce, Republic of Palau, followed the explanation of JCM Financing Programme by GEC. After that, the outline of the JCM formation study in Palau was described by Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd, and Western Caroline Trading Company gave the presentation on the background and effects of their JCM project. ATGREEN Co., Ltd. explained the outline of city-to-city collaboration between Koror city and City of Kitakyushu. In the panel discussion, the presenters actively exchanged opinions on issues and solutions for JCM project formation in Palau.

After the webinar, individual meetings were arranged online between participants and the speakers in Session 3. Also, individual consultation was set up online about JCM and Asian Development Bank’s JFJCM*3 and speakers gave advice on utilizing JCM to participants.

From the results of the questionnaire, many respondents were generally satisfied with the content of the webinar, but there was a comment requesting more participants from Palau, which will be raised as a future issue.

Overview of Webinar

Date: Friday, February 26, 2021, 9:00-12:00 Palau time and Japan Time (UTC+9)
Venue: Zoom.
Organizers: Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce, Republic of Palau (MPIIC), Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan (MOEJ), Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC) and Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd.
Support: International Organization Pacific Islands Centre (PIC)

Program

Session 1. Opening Remarks
Mr. Hajime Sugimura, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Palau
Session 2. Information Sharing on the JCM Progress
Recent Development of The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) Mr. Hironori Aoki, Resercher, Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan
Palau Energy Administration Mr. Gerald Tulop, Energy Specialist for Renewable Energy, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce, Republic of Palau
Financing Programme for JCM Model Projects and JCM Global Match Mr. Satoru Tango, Senior Manager, Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC)
Session 3. JCM Implementation in Republic of Palau
JCM Model Project Formation Study in Republic of Palau Mr. Yoshihiro Mizuno, Executive Project Manager, Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. (PCKK)
Small-Scale Financing Program for JCM Model Project Mr. Clement K. Gbewonyo, Maintenance Manager, Western Caroline Trading Company
FY2020 City-to-City Collaboration for Creating a Zero-carbon Society Mr. Seiya Tominaga, Senior Manager, ATGREEN Co., Ltd.
Session 4. Panel Discussion
- Efforts toward Low Carbon Emission and Decarbonization in Palau and Role of JCM Moderator: Mr. Yoshihiro Mizuno, Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. Panelists: Mr. Kazuhisa Koakutsu, Director of International Negotiations, Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan Mr. Ken Sugiyama, Renewable Energy Manager, Palau Public Utilities Corporation Mr. Satoru Tango, Senior Manager, Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC) Mr. Seiya Tominaga, Senior Manager, ATGREEN Co., Ltd.
Session 5. Closing Address
Mr. Kazuhisa Koakutsu, Director of International Negotiations, Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan
Individual Meeting among Participants and Asian Development Bank (ADB)/GEC/PCKK Consultation (via Zoom Meeting)
- Individual meetings between Session 3. speakers and participants - Consultation to ADB including Japan Fund for JCM (JFJCM) - Consultation to GEC or PCKK about JCM and JCM Financing Programme

• *1 JCM stands for the Joint Crediting Mechanism, and it is a bilateral cooperation mechanism that developing countries and Japan collaborate on GHG emission reductions projects and share the reduction result. For further information, please refer to the official website of JCM here.
• *2 In order to support the implementation of candidate JCM projects, Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan has launched the “JCM Model Projects”. The purpose of the JCM Model Project is to financially support the implementation of projects which reduce GHG emissions by utilizing leading low carbon technologies in developing countries, and in return seeks to acquire JCM credits for achievement of Japan’s GHG emission reduction target.
• *3 JFJCM stands for Japan Fund for Joint Crediting Mechanism, and it provides the financial incentives for the adoption of advanced low-carbon technologies which are superior in GHG emission reduction but expensive in Asian Development Bank-financed projects.