Photo 1. Online Seminar Participants 

The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), in collaboration with the Energy Conservation Center Japan (ECCJ), co-organised the ASEAN-Japan Energy Efficiency Partnership (AJEEP) online seminar for Carbon Neutrality (CN) in the transportation sector, held on 10 September 2024, as part of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (SOME-METI) Work Programme for 2024-2025. Aiming to share valuable insights and best practices to support ASEAN countries toward achieving carbon neutrality in the transportation sector, the online seminar was attended by a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, government officials, private institutions, and academia across ASEAN.  

Photo 2. Opening Remarks by Masayasu Koizumi from ECCJ 

The seminar commenced with opening remarks from Masayasu Koizumi, Managing Director of ECCJ, highlighted the effectiveness of a multifaceted approach to decarbonise transport sector, including smart logistics that utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of Energy Efficiency and Conservation (CEE) Department at ACE, delivered his remarks, expressing his appreciation to METI and ECCJ for their continued support to EE&C development of ASEAN since 2000, including through the AJEEP. He stressed the region’s aspiration for reducing energy intensity by 32% by 2025, as outlined in APAEC Phase II, and underscored ASEAN’s focus on energy efficiency and renewable technologies to achieve carbon neutrality. 

Photo 3. Opening Remarks by Dr Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Head of ACE 

The seminar proceeded with six expert-led presentations covering key topics within the transportation and logistics sectors. The first presentation, delivered by Masaki Kamiura, Assistant Director International Affairs Division, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan, explored transportation-related policies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality in Japan. He emphasised the importance of improving logistics efficiency through advanced technologies and introduced the concept of the Physical Internet as a next-generation logistics system. 

The next presentation was delivered by Rizky Aditya Putra, Programme Manager, CEE Department at ACE, shared the policy trends and best practices for energy efficiency and conservation in the transportation sector in ASEAN. He highlighted the urgent need for AMS to focus on energy efficiency in the transportation sector, given that it is one of the largest contributors to region’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. He highlighted the region’s efforts in fuel economy policies, biofuels, and the electric vehicle adoption, along with best practices like electrification of freight transportation, and sustainable logistics initiatives, to decarbonise transport sector in supporting AMS towards achieving carbon neutrality targets, while enhancing energy security. 

Photo 4. Presentation from Rizky Aditya Putra, Programme Manager of ACE 

The third presentation was delivered by Toshikazu Muroga, Senior Consultant, NX Logistics Research Institute and Consulting, Inc., providing a general overview of practices for carbon neutrality in logistics. He emphasised the importance of energy conservation measures in the transportation sector, such as improving fuel efficiency and implementing policies to promote eco-driving and load ratio optimisation. 

Photo 5. Presentation from Toshikazu Muroga from NX Logistics Research Institute and Consulting, Inc. 

The next presentation by Toshiyuki Minegishi, Technical Expert, International Cooperation Division, ECCJ provided an overview of smart logistics services, reinforcing the integration of data infrastructure and automation to enhance logistics efficiency and lower CO2 emissions in Japan. The presentation highlighted the development of smart logistics technologies, such as AI-driven data collection and the creation of logistics and sales channel data infrastructure to optimise supply chain operations and achieve carbon neutrality.

Photo 6. Presentation from Toshiyuki Minegishi from ECCJ 

This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Norio Hayakawa, LLP Division Executive Adviser, Seino Information Service, which discussed the challenges of the logistics crisis in Japan and explore potential solutions through the implementation of “Regional Logistics” initiatives and smart logistics. The presentation focused on overcoming labor shortages, optimising truck fill rates, and reducing long working hours for drivers through joint transportation and automation initiatives, aiming to enhance both logistics efficiency and environmental sustainability. 

The final presentation by Takashi Kushuu, QC and Logistics Management Department, Seven-Eleven Japan Co. covered decarbonisation practices through logistics, focusing on the company’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. The presentation highlighted initiatives such as the use of eco-friendly vehicles, including electric and fuel cell trucks, solar panel-equipped delivery trucks, and the integration of renewable energy sources to significantly lower the carbon footprint in logistics operations​. 

Photo 7. Presentation from Takashi Kushuu from Seven-Eleven Japan Co. 

Following these presentations, Rio Jon Piter Silitonga, Senior Officer of CEE at ACE, led the Q&A session, concentrated on the best practices from Japan and key lessons that ASEAN could adopt in their logistics and decarbonisation efforts. Discussions revolved around supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs) in adopting new logistics technologies and the specific challenges they encounter. The session also pointed out the critical role of public-private partnerships in advancing green technology adoption to improve energy efficiency in logistics. 

Photo 8. Q&A Session Led by Rio Jon Piter Silitonga, Senior Officer of CEE at ACE 

The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Masayasu Koizumi, Managing Director of ECCJ, highlighted the importance of the participants’ engagement and the need for the transport sector to take concrete actions towards achieving CN. Followed by Rio Jon Piter Silitonga, Senior Officer of CEE at ACE, emphasised the importance of continued collaboration in driving carbon neutrality efforts in the transportation sector, fostering a sustainable and energy efficient future for ASEAN and beyond. The seminar ended with participants engaged in meaningful discussions, establishing a clear direction for future actions to achieve carbon neutrality in transportation. 

ASEAN Japan Energy Efficiency Partnership (AJEEP) is a regional cooperation initiative between ASEAN and Japan. Since 2012, implemented by ACE and ECCJ, with financial support from METI, AJEEP is aiming to build the capacity and narrow the gap between AMS on EE&C policies and measures. Starting 2022, AJEEP entered into new Scheme 4 and Scheme 5. AJEEP Scheme 4 aims to support the establishment of the Sustainable ASEAN Energy Management Certification Scheme (SAEMAS). AJEEP Scheme 5 focuses on capacity building on advanced carbon neutrality technologies and systems to improve EE in industry, building, and transportation.