Call for Applications from Organizations Nationwide Working Toward Environmentally Friendly Transportation Applications Now Open for the “16th EST Decarbonized Transportation Awards”

The EST Promotion Committee (Chair: Hirokazu Kato /Professor at Nagoya University) has begun accepting applications for the “16th EST Decarbonized Transportation Awards” (Organized by: EST Promotion Committee; Foundation for Promoting Personal Mobility and Ecological Transportation; Supported by: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; National Police Agency; Ministry of the Environment; Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association; Nihon Bus Association;Japan Private Railway Association, and Japan Federation of Hire-Taxi Associations)*.

*In addition to the organizers and supporting organizations, cooperation is provided by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers, the Japan Society of Traffic Engineers, the Japan Transportation Planning Association, the Bicycling Popularization Association of Japan, and the Japan Share-Cycle Association.

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With Japan’s declaration of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, environmental measures have been increasingly advanced across various sectors in recent years, and the transportation sector is also called upon to take further steps toward decarbonization.Building on the legacy of the “EST Transportation Environment Awards,” which have been held through its 15th edition, the awards have been renamed the “EST Decarbonization Transportation Awards.” We are now broadly inviting applications from organizations and other entities engaged in initiatives aimed at promoting environmentally friendly transportation in the transportation and mobility sectors.

An online information session for applicants will be held on Wednesday, July 22, to explain the main changes introduced this year and to showcase the latest initiatives from three past award-winning organizations.

Call for Entries Flyer – Front

[Call for Entries Overview]

■ Call for Entries

Outstanding local initiatives for improving the transportation environment

* Initiatives related to the movement of people and goods in the fields of urban planning, welfare, and energy are also eligible

■ Application Period

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 – Thursday, October 15, 2026

■Eligibility

・Self-nomination

Local governments, companies, or NPOs, etc.* *Voluntary organizations such as neighborhood associations may also apply

・Nominations by Third Parties

Experts on local transportation environment measures or organizations sponsoring this Grand Prize

This award program encourages applications from multiple organizations or through a consortium

■ How to Apply

Download the application forms from the EST portal site, fill in the required information, attach the necessary documents, and submit them to the EST Promotion Committee Secretariat

■ Award Categories

[Grand Prize]

The most outstanding initiative for regional transportation environment measures (Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award; Minister of the Environment Award)

[Excellence Award]

Initiatives evaluated as being on par with the Grand Prize

[Encouragement Award]

Outstanding achievements by organizations and individual initiatives that are deeply rooted in the community and demonstrate daily dedication

■ Main Evaluation Criteria

○ Basic Criteria (Achievements, Novelty and Originality, Timeliness and Public Interest, Scalability, Cost-Effectiveness)

○ Environmental Improvement Effects (Future Potential of Measures, Extent of Environmental Improvement, Implementation Period)

○ Regional Sustainability (Environmental Assessment, Economic Assessment, Social Assessment)

○ Appropriate collaboration with various stakeholders (local governments, transportation operators, local residents, and other relevant organizations, etc.)

○ Bonus Points: Relationship with local transportation plans and existing transportation networks (transportation planning, urban planning)

■ Schedule

July 15, 2026 – October 15, 2026: Application Period

July 22, 2026: Application Information Session

February 2027: Announcement of judging results

Around April 2027: Award Ceremony for Winning Organizations

For details, please visit the official website (https://www.estfukyu.jp/award/award16_application/).

For information on the application briefing session, please visit the webpage (https://www.estfukyu.jp/award/award16_seminar/).

[What is “EST”?]

EST (Environmentally Sustainable Transport) is a concept proposed by the OECD in the late 1990s. It is an approach—aligned with the current SDGs—that takes into account not only economic and social sustainability but also environmental sustainability, including decarbonization.

EST Mark

[What is the “EST Decarbonized Transportation Grand Prize”?]

To encourage local governments to formulate and implement transportation and environmental policies—as well as related urban and welfare policies—from a long-term perspective based on the EST concept, it is considered important to “identify and widely publicize outstanding examples of initiatives by organizations (local governments, companies, civic groups, etc.) that are implementing transportation and environmental measures in their communities.” With this in mind, this award builds upon the “EST Transportation and Environment Awards,” established in fiscal year 2009 by a panel of academic experts andrelevant organizations, and government ministries—was established in fiscal year 2009. Building on this legacy, the award has been renamed the “EST Decarbonized Transportation Grand Prize” starting this year. This marks the 16th edition of the award.

EST Decarbonized Transportation Grand Prize Logo (Tentative)

[Past Award-Winning Organizations (Initiatives to be introduced at the application briefing session)]

14th EST Transportation Environment Awards (2024 Winners)

● Grand Prize (Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award) Winner

　Ise Regional Public Transportation Council

　“Operation of electric buses powered by renewable energy and promotion of public transportation use”

● Grand Prize (Minister of the Environment Award) Winner

　Rikuzentakata Green Slow Mobility, General Incorporated Association; Rikuzentakata City

　“Decarbonization and Resolution of Local Issues Achieved Through Green Slow Mobility (Gurisuro)”

● Excellence Award Winner

　Daiichi Kotsu Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Group Headquarters: Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture)

　“Nationwide Taxi EV Conversion Project”

For a list of other past award-winning organizations and their main initiatives, please visit this page.

https://www.estfukyu.jp/award/

Thumbnail image of the application briefing session