Toward a carbon neutral urban transportation system in Japan

Abstract

At COP26, in November 2021, more than 150 countries declared their commitment to carbon neutrality. A decarbonized society has become a common goal in many countries. The Japanese government has declared that it aims to achieve a decarbonized society by 2050. Urban transportation also requires significant reductions in CO2 emissions, but there is a risk that carbon neutrality cannot be achieved solely through decarbonizing technologies for transportation vehicles and energy sources; therefore, cooperation with cities and society is necessary. This paper discusses the possibility of achieving carbon neutrality in urban transportation in Japan by reviewing 1) the status of vehicle and fuel decarbonization technologies, 2) the possibility of reducing CO2 emissions through land use policies, and 3) the effects of information communication technologies on transportation behavior based on the literature.