In response to the accelerating efforts of municipalities in Japan towards the realization of SDGs, the Nikkei Newspaper Industry Area Research Institute conducted the “SDGs advanced degree” survey of 815 Japanese local governments and announced the results based on the independent evaluation for sustainable city development measured by balancing the fields of economy, society, and the environment. Following Kyoto City’s position at the top Kitakyushu City was ranked at second place, and total of seven ICLEI members — Toyota City, Okayama City, Saitama City, Itabashi City, and Nagoya City — were ranked in the top ten.

We are pleased to see many cities who have been working to achieve sustainability were ranked high in the list and reconfirmed that the path that those cities are taking is on right track.

Kyoto City is leading on pioneering measures against climate change and waste reduction. The city is focusing on efforts such as the expansion of pedestrian paths and the promotion of the “Park and Ride” system in which people can park their cars in the suburbs and uses public transportation. In addition, as the number of tourists has increased, the city undertook new planning that gives priority to public transportation. This led to a reduction in traffic volume in the central part of the city and earned high marks in the survey. Kyoto’s mayor, Daisaku Kadokawa, said in a column, “We would like to lead other cities in pursuing a sustainable society.”

Kitakyushu City earned the highest evaluation in the field of “society”. The city has developed initiatives corresponding to all 17 objectives of SDGs, and ESD activities are being promoted mainly by “Kitakyushu ESD Council” consisting of citizen groups, educational institutions, companies, and the city administration. The city places great emphasis on poverty programs for families with children and on creating a network for school bullying prevention. Consideration for diversity, such as increasing the number of female committee members at the council, received a high evaluation in the survey.

Japanese ICLEI cites will continue to scale and expand the model of sustainable city development, and they will lead and inspire other cities both within Japan and internationally.

Read more: CityTalk