Accelerating Decarbonization in the Transportation Sector: A Hybrid Seminar

On February 16, 2026, at 14:30, a significant milestone will be celebrated—the 50th EST Decarbonization Seminar. This event, held in a hybrid format at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho, aims to engage the public and industry leaders in a dialogue about the progress and future of decarbonizing transportation.

As nations worldwide strive to combat climate change and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Japan is no exception in its commitment to transitioning towards a decarbonized society. However, when focusing on the transportation sector, efforts towards decarbonization have historically lagged behind other areas. To this end, the seminar will spotlight the important work being done in the field and emphasize the necessity of integrating multiple strategies, including enhancing public transport networks and minimizing excessive reliance on automobiles.

This seminar is organized by the EST Promotion Committee, chaired by Professor Hirokazu Kato of Nagoya University, in collaboration with the Eco-Mobility Foundation of Japan. The event aims to provide a reflective experience on past recipients of the EST Transportation Environment Award and highlight their subsequent efforts in promoting Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST). The seminar will feature discussions and presentations that offer fresh insights into implementing decarbonization strategies in the transportation sector.

Event Details

- Date and Time: February 16, 2026, from 14:30 to 17:50
- Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Hamamatsucho, 4th Floor, Meeting Room 2
- Cost: Free of charge

Why This Seminar Matters

Japan is pursuing a comprehensive economic and social transformation (GX) geared towards decarbonization. A critical aspect of this transformation is re-evaluating transportation policies and practices; however, much remains to be done. The necessity for municipalities to align transportation and urban planning, as well as position transport efforts within climate change strategies, has never been clearer.

The concept of EST, introduced in the late 1990s by the OECD, encompasses economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The EST Promotion Committee is dedicated to spreading this idea across Japan, encouraging municipalities to adopt policies that reflect long-term planning for transportation, environment, and social welfare.

Seminar Program Outline

1. Opening Address - Eco-Mobility Foundation
2. Overview Presentation - Professor Hirokazu Kato, Chair of the EST Promotion Committee
3. Keynote Lecture - Tsutomu Doi, Chair of the Glocal Exchange Facilitation Organization, addresses the vital connection between urban development and transportation planning in promoting decarbonized transportation policies.
4. Initiative Presentations:
- Gifu City's award-winning initiatives aimed at enhancing public transport (presented by Masashi Kiriyama).
- The ongoing BEST Movement in Fukuyama City to tackle CO2 emissions and traffic congestion (presented by Nobuyuki Arahe).
- Hitachi City's evolution in transport services, transitioning from BRT implementations to automated bus systems (presented by Hiroyuki Koyama).
5. Panel Discussion: Experts will discuss what's needed for the successful societal implementation of EST and decarbonization in transport.
6. Closing Remarks
- Networking event to follow (fee applies).

Registration and Accessibility

Pre-registration is essential, with options for face-to-face (limited to 60 participants) and online attendance available. Individuals requiring any form of assistance, including sign language interpretation, should indicate this during registration before February 2.

This seminar serves not only as a platform for sharing successful practices but also as a catalyst for fostering meaningful discussions and collaborations towards the decarbonization of transportation in Japan. Let us come together to embrace and promote these transformative changes for a more sustainable future.