Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) has submitted public comments on the Ministry of the Environment’s published draft revision for the “R&D and Social Implementation Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in the Waste and Resource Circulation” under the Green Innovation Fund Projects. The public comment period for this draft was held from February 24 to March 26, 2026.

The Green Innovation Fund Projects were developed to support Japan’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 by accelerating structural changes in the energy and industrial sectors and encouraging bold investment for innovation. Utilizing a fund established under the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the projects provide companies and other organizations that commit to ambitious and concrete goals with continuous support for the coming 10 years in terms of R&D and demonstration to social implementation.

The draft revision sets out the direction of research and development (R&D) and social implementation under the Fund Projects for achieving carbon neutrality in the waste management and resource circulation sector. Its main focus is on reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste treatment and promoting the development and implementation of technologies to advance resource circulation.

Now that the importance of building low-carbon and sustainable health systems continues to grow both internationally and domestically, Japan is also being called upon to accelerate efforts to promote resource circulation in the health and nursing care sectors. To this end, it is desirable that the Green Innovation Fund Projects not only advance technological development, but also help lead the implementation of planetary health by contributing to both the resilience and decarbonization of Japan’s health system.

Given this context, HGPI proposed the following points in its submission:

Key points of the public comment

• While ensuring the safe management of infectious waste, promote waste reduction and advanced waste segregation not only at the treatment stage, but also in relation to healthcare waste generation
• In addition to incineration and exhaust gas measures, explicitly include green procurement and upstream waste reduction, and promote the reduction of environmental impacts in the health and nursing care sectors
• Position healthcare institutions as priority fields for social implementation and demonstration, and promote decarbonization and appropriate waste treatment in an integrated manner

HGPI will continue to contribute to advancing planetary health through policy proposals and collaboration with relevant organizations, by providing insights and promoting dialogue.

Please note that the call for public comment has already closed.