Summary

The session emphasised the importance of comprehensive, impactful local-level initiatives in accelerating synergistic actions on climate change and sustainability. It highlighted the private sector’s potential to help build a sustainable society through collaboration with local communities and municipalities, while also noting that current engagement remains fragmented and hindered by trust-building challenges. To address these issues, integrated institutional and structural frameworks are essential, with the Circulating and Ecological Sphere (CES) approach gaining recognition as a practical solution.

Comprehensive and impactful local-level initiatives are indispensable for accelerating synergic actions on climate change and sustainability. The private sector has the potential to help build a sustainable society through collaboration with local communities and municipalities, while also noting that current engagement remains fragmented and hindered by trust-building challenges.

This session focused on the Regional Circulating and Ecological Sphere (RCES) approach, which is drawing attention as a practical means of fostering synergies, and presented examples of private sector participation. The first speaker outlined company efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, highlighting Ricoh’s role as Japan’s first RE100 member and its promotion of renewable energy through community-based Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and comprehensive cooperation with municipalities. The company further reinforces ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management by linking executive compensation to sustainability goals. The second speaker outlined ongoing initiatives to reduce household emissions and encourage behavioural change among citizens, while also working with local SMEs to cut emissions across supply chains and advance a circular economy. Additional efforts include wind power generation, heat supply systems, designation as a decarbonisation-leading area, interregional cooperation, and the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The third speaker showcased innovative work in Bangladesh, where a market-based integrated model has been developed to deliver renewable energy to off-grid rural areas, reaching millions of people. By challenging the assumption that renewable technologies are unsuitable for rural regions, potential has been demonstrated for sustainable regional development. Through innovative financing and technician training, solar home systems (SHS) have been widely deployed, improving both energy access and quality of life.

Finally, discussions on promoting private sector involvement in CES frameworks underscored the importance of collaboration among businesses, governments, and local communities. Model projects were noted as crucial for building trust and enabling broader implementation. Strategic returns, such as enhanced brand value and future business opportunities, were highlighted, encouraging a shift toward evaluating corporate value through multidimensional indicators that encompass social and environmental factors. Such collaboration is expected to play a central role in shaping future policy and corporate strategy, essential for fostering a sustainable environment and society.