Japan Carbon Offset Forum (J-COF)

Japan Carbon Offset Forum (J-COF) was established on April 1st 2008 in accordance with the “Guidelines for Carbon Offsetting in Japan” by Ministry of the Environment, Japan. The guidelines aim to provide a basic framework of carbon offsetting, ensure the reliability of the activities, as well as encourage individuals and businesses to take actions. Based on the guidelines, the forum will collect and disseminate information, promote public awareness, and provide consultation concerning carbon offset, promoting the activities towards a “low carbon society”. J-COF Secretariat was set up and operated by Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center, Japan (OECC).

Following the Guidelines for Carbon Offsetting published in February 2008, the open workshops have been held by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and Japan Carbon Offset Forum (J-COF) in order to ensure the credibility and transparency of carbon offsetting activities, since May 2008. The workshop panel consists of Japanese academics, lawyers, local government, certification organizations’ experts etc. Based on the discussion at the workshop, several practical guidelines have been established. Following is the list of guidelines published up to now.

Date of Issue	Title (Tentative)	Documents
		Jpn	Eng
February 2008	Guidelines for Carbon Offsetting in Japan （only a brochure is available in English）
September 2008	FAQ on Carbon Offsetting in Japan
October 2008	Guidelines for Calculation of GHG Emissions of Activities to be Offset
October 2008	Guidelines for Information Provision of Carbon Offsetting Activities for Establishing Credibility
To be issued	Certification Standards by Third Party for Carbon Offsetting

Workshops (Japanese Only)

In tandem with the credibility and transparency of carbon offsetting activities, MOEJ has promoted the discussion regarding verified emission reduction (VER) credit which can be used for carbon offsetting. The panel which also consists of various areas of experts has been addressing the issues below since March 2008:

• Certification Organizations for VER
• Certification System for VER
• Registry for VER
• Green power certification and Sink VER etc.

Panel Meetings (Japanese Only)

Statement of Cooperation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affaires, UK and the Ministry of the Environment, Japan regarding Exchange of Information on Calculating Carbon Footprints and Carbon Offsetting

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affaires, UK (Defra) and the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) agreed on Statement of Cooperation regarding Carbon Footprints and Carbon Offsetting at the G8 Environment Ministries Meeting 2008. Defra and MOEJ will cooperate and exchange information regarding carbon offsetting, including a role and methodologies for carbon footprint, the carbon market situation etc. MOEJ designates the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center, Japan as an associating organization in promoting the cooperation.
Statement of Cooperation (original) released on 9th October 2008

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