A Cheat Sheet for Canceling Coal | Kimiko Hirata | TED

The speaker, with nearly 30 years of experience in climate advocacy, shares key successes and evolving strategies in tackling climate change, particularly in Japan. A significant turning point occurred after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, which temporarily overshadowed climate concerns and led to a surge in plans for new coal-fired power plants. Recognizing the long-term CO2 impact, the speaker shifted focus from UN negotiations and national policy to actively campaigning against coal. Initially, the existence and impact of coal power plants were largely unknown to the public. To address this, a nationwide map of coal projects was created and publicized. Direct engagement with communities affected by these projects revealed that people were more concerned with immediate issues like jobs and income than climate change. Consequently, the approach broadened to include discussions on economic, financial, and health risks associated with coal, in addition to climate impacts. This involved building networks with experts, lawyers, professors, and NGOs both domestically and internationally. A major strategic move was submitting a shareholder proposal to Mizuho, a large Japanese bank and significant co-financier of coal projects. The proposal urged the bank to align its business plan with the Paris Agreement, effectively calling for an end to financing new coal projects. Despite facing skepticism, as shareholder activism on climate was nascent in Japan, the proposal garnered a surprising 34% support, including from institutional investors. This success, combined with other advocacy efforts, led to the cancellation of 17 out of 50 proposed coal projects, totaling nine gigawatts. These cancellations are estimated to prevent 50 million tons of CO2 emissions annually and 1.7 billion tons over their lifetimes, equivalent to removing over eight million cars from the road each year for 40 years. The speaker emphasizes that these successes, while significant, are not the end of the journey. Japan still heavily relies on fossil fuels, and the primary challenge is now a systemic economic transformation away from them. This requires moving beyond simply saying "no" to coal and actively building support for renewable energy. Barriers such as perceptions of high costs and unreliability of renewables, as well as concerns about local environmental damage and competing priorities, need to be addressed. To facilitate this transition, the speaker founded an independent think tank, Climate Integrate, to provide fact-based information and accelerate energy transition. The focus has shifted to building conviction for renewable energy through dialogue and collaboration with government and corporate stakeholders. The think tank conducts analyses tailored to the Japanese context, highlighting the abundant potential of solar and wind power. Collaborations with cities like Toyooka, Ichikawa, and Sakata are underway to pilot sustainable tourism, promote rooftop solar and energy efficiency, and develop offshore wind businesses, respectively. These initiatives aim to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy and achieve a just transition away from fossil fuels. The speaker's approach has evolved from opposition to advocacy for systemic change, but the core methods remain consistent: engaging people, fostering dialogue, and building networks. The ultimate vision is to help Japan achieve over 90% renewable energy, complete decarbonization, and extend this impact across Asia. Despite the challenges, the speaker remains hopeful, driven by a dedicated team and a shared conviction that change is possible, encouraging others to join this journey.