Leveraging co-benefits for healthy net-zero transitions in Japanese and other G7 cities: A scalable approach for transformative change

Local governments in three Japanese cities—Kawasaki, Niigata, and Hachinohe—will work directly with researchers to weave health benefits into their climate action plans. The problem is that even as G7 countries promise stronger climate policies, a gap remains between ambition and implementation, threatening the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal. Health co-benefits—like cleaner air from reduced fossil fuel use—could help close that gap, but local governments often lack the capacity or evidence to integrate them effectively. This three-year project will co-design a five-step process—from policy scoping to feasibility assessments—with city officials in Japan, then adapt parts of it for Paris and Austin. If successful, the approach could become a scalable model for other cities worldwide, transforming how local governments plan for net-zero transitions. Instead of treating climate policy as a separate burden, cities would see it as a direct investment in public health—improving air quality, reducing heat-related illness, and cutting healthcare costs. The project’s activities are timed to coincide with Japan’s 2023 G7 presidency, using a webinar series to amplify findings and drive change beyond the participating cities.