Updated by "Forest Circular Economy" Editorial Board on April 23, 2025, 10:40 AM JST
Editorial Board, Forest Circular Economy
Forestcircularity-editor
We aim to realize "Vision 2050: Japan Shines, Forest Circular Economy" promoted by the Platinum Forest Industry Initiative. We will disseminate ideas and initiatives to promote biomass chemistry, realize wooden cities, and encourage innovation in the forestry industry in order to fully utilize forest resources to decarbonize, strengthen economic security, and create local communities.
On April 21, the Forestry Agency began accepting applications for the "Forest x ACT Challenge 2025," which recognizes forestation activities by companies and organizations with the aim of achieving net zero emissions and preserving biodiversity by 2050. The program is designed to publicize the sustainable efforts of private-sector entities and encourage the creation of new business value for the next generation. Applications will be accepted until June 30. The winners will be announced in the summer of 2025.
Expectations are growing for the multifaceted functions of forests in response to the global challenges of combating climate change and loss of biodiversity. The Forest x ACT Challenge 2025 is designed to encourage active involvement in forest development by a diverse range of entities, including companies, NPOs, schools, and local governments. A wide range of activities, from direct forest maintenance, such as tree planting and thinning, to timber use promotion and environmental education, are subject to evaluation, with awards given to outstanding activities, with the aim of improving the quality of these efforts and spreading their influence throughout society.
In the "Forestation" category, the CO2 sink enhancement and contribution to biodiversity conservation through forest creation and maintenance are targeted, while in the "J-Credit" category, efforts to promote decarbonization and regional support through the use of forest-derived J-Credits are targeted. This time, the evaluation points for "Methods and plans for utilization of forest-derived J-credits" have been revised, and more effective utilization is now required. Activities during FY2023 and FY2024 are eligible to apply, and not only single companies, but also projects in collaboration with local governments, NPOs, forestry cooperatives, etc. will be evaluated.
The Grand Prix (Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award) will be awarded to one of the applicants, and the Excellence Award (Forestry Agency Director-General's Award) will be selected from approximately 10% of the total number of entries in each category. A wooden nameplate engraved with the name of the winner and the amount absorbed will be displayed in the Forestry Agency building.
In addition, all the initiatives submitted this year will be publicized as "Green Partners". In addition to being used for their own PR activities, the details of their initiatives and the amount of CO2 absorbed will be posted on the Forestry Agency's official website and social networking services.
Participating companies will be able to strongly impress society with their environmental contributions and further clarify their leadership in sustainability management. Not only for those involved in the forest industry, but also for companies that have not had much opportunity to be directly involved in forest development, this challenge will provide an opportunity to take a strategic step forward in contributing to solving social issues by utilizing their own technologies and know-how, while at the same time increasing their corporate value.
The Forest x ACT Challenge 2025 will encourage companies to view their forestry activities not merely as CSR, but as an "investment in the future" that is inseparable from their business strategy. The presentation of clear evaluation criteria will work to ensure that companies engage in forestation in a systematic and continuous manner and maximize the results of their efforts.
