Call for Applications for the 'Fiscal 2026 Climate Action Minister of the Environment Award'

1. Purpose

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, it is essential that all stakeholders—including national and local governments, businesses, organizations, and individual citizens—take action on climate change. To expand these efforts, it is crucial to identify, evaluate, and publicize proactive initiatives being implemented across the country. Under this recognition, awards will be presented to individuals or groups (including municipalities, corporations, NPOs/NGOs, schools, and joint implementers; hereinafter referred to as 'organizations') that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in climate change mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and climate change adaptation (avoiding or minimizing damage caused by climate impacts).

※ 'Climate change mitigation' refers to measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or enhance carbon absorption. Examples include energy-saving initiatives, decarbonized energy sources such as renewable energy, CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage), and measures to increase CO2 absorption through vegetation.

※ 'Climate change adaptation' refers to preparedness to avoid or reduce damage from ongoing climate impacts, as well as leveraging new climate conditions. Examples include responses to extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, droughts, and heatwaves, and climate risk management across supply chains.

2. Award Categories

① Grand Prize for Climate Action

From among the recipients of the Climate Action Minister of the Environment Award, the Minister of the Environment will designate one awardee as the Grand Prize recipient based on a comprehensive assessment of their activities, achievements, and contributions to both climate change mitigation and adaptation.

② Climate Action Minister of the Environment Award

Recipients will be selected by the Minister of the Environment from among candidates recommended by the Climate Action Minister of the Environment Award Selection Committee following a formal review process.

③ Climate Action Youth Award (Encouragement Prize by the Selection Committee)

This award will be presented to youth groups (primarily consisting of university students or younger) who are expected to lead future climate action, selected by the Climate Action Minister of the Environment Award Selection Committee after review.

3. Award Categories by Field

Achievements eligible for recognition are divided into the following three categories. Activities may include international contributions and initiatives conducted overseas, in addition to domestic efforts.

① Development and Commercialization Category

(Mitigation Field)

Achievements in developing outstanding technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically or internationally—such as energy-saving technologies and renewable energy technologies—and advancing their commercialization or service provision utilizing these technologies (including non-commercialized developments).

(Adaptation Field)

Achievements in developing outstanding technologies to avoid or reduce domestic and international damages caused by climate change impacts—or to utilize positive effects of climate change—in fields such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, natural disasters, water resources and aquatic environments, natural ecosystems, and public health, and advancing their commercialization or service provision utilizing these technologies (including non-commercialized developments).

(Mitigation and Adaptation Field)

Achievements in developing outstanding technologies that contribute to both mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions domestically and internationally) and adaptation (avoiding or reducing climate-related damages or utilizing positive climate impacts), and advancing their commercialization or service provision utilizing these technologies (including non-commercialized developments).

② Advanced Implementation and Active Practice Category

(Mitigation Field)

Achievements in the large-scale or pioneering adoption of technologies, products, and corporate strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across domestic and international operations and value chains—such as energy-saving technologies (including heat pumps and cogeneration), renewable energy technologies and related equipment and services, energy-efficient transportation systems and buildings, ESG investment, and decarbonization management—alongside active implementation of lifestyle changes and effective regional power-saving initiatives that contribute to global warming prevention.

(Adaptation Field)

Achievements in the advanced and proactive implementation of outstanding adaptation measures to avoid or reduce climate change impacts domestically and internationally in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, natural disasters, water resources, natural ecosystems, and health, as well as proactive and advanced efforts in climate risk assessment and adaptation strategy implementation aimed at enhancing climate resilience and sustainability for businesses and communities.

(Mitigation and Adaptation Field)

Achievements in large-scale, pioneering adoption of technologies, products, and corporate strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across domestic and international operations and value chains, while simultaneously contributing to the advanced and proactive implementation of adaptation measures.

③ Promotion and Dissemination Category

(Mitigation Field)

Achievements in continuous efforts (with generally three or more years of activity) to promote and disseminate lifestyles and effective regional power-saving practices that help prevent global warming, afforestation activities, educational and awareness-raising initiatives within schools, civic groups, and companies, and initiatives aimed at transforming values, behaviors, and lifestyles toward a sustainable future.

(Adaptation Field)

Achievements in continuous efforts (with generally three or more years of activity) to promote and disseminate climate change adaptation measures in local agriculture, forestry, fisheries, natural disasters, water resources, natural ecosystems, and health; collect and disseminate information on climate impacts; and conduct educational and awareness-raising activities within schools, civic groups, and companies to transform values, behaviors, and lifestyles toward a sustainable future.

(Mitigation and Adaptation Field)

Achievements in continuous efforts (with generally three or more years of activity) to promote and disseminate education, outreach, and awareness-raising initiatives in both mitigation and adaptation fields within schools, civic groups, and companies, and to transform values, behaviors, and lifestyles toward a sustainable future.