Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan
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Your environmental type diagnosis!

You value stability while keeping balance between nature and people, using both sensitivity and reason.

You protect what matters and help keep the environment stable. Environmental action is not only about starting something new, but also about protecting what already exists and keeping it from harm. As the Protector type, you support the foundations of nature and daily life and help maintain them over time.

  • Harmony
  • Stability
  • Continuity

Several students are looking at a flower bed. Some of the flowers appear weak. One student says, “You can’t give them too much water…but you can’t let the soil get too dry either.” Another student adds, “Since we take turns watering them, it’s hard to remember who watered them last.” A student suddenly has an idea and says, “Then why don’t we make a tracking sheet?” The students create a garden log. They record the date, attach a photo, and write down the condition of the soil and how the flowers look. One student explains, “In summer, we shouldn’t let the soil dry out.” “In winter, if the soil stays dry for two days, then we water the flowers.” “If we’re unsure, we check how the flowers look.” The students discuss the idea. “That makes sense. I like it.” One month later, the flower bed is still healthy. A student says, “Thanks to the chart, the flowers stayed healthy.” Another student adds, “Since everyone can understand it, it’s easy to keep using.” At the end of the comic, a message appears: “When things are in order, people can keep going.”

In responding to the three global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, there is a growing worldwide need to build socio-economic systems that integrate measures such as net-zero, nature-positive, and a circular economy. In Japan, the Basic Environment Plan has been formulated in order to promote policies for environmental conservation across the entire government in a comprehensive and systematic manner.

The Sixth Basic Environment Plan, approved by the Cabinet in May 2024, puts “the quality of life, level of happiness, well-being and economic welfare of each person present and in the future” (hereinafter referred to as “well-being/quality of life”) as its top objective, and also positions this as contributing to “the welfare of humankind.”

“Well-being/quality of life” consists of both market value and non-market value, and includes subjective well-being such as self-affirmation, representing true “affluence” in modern society. This plan is based on a strong sense of urgency regarding the three crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Decarbonization (Carbon Neutrality): Net Zero

To address climate change, a global challenge, we aim to achieve carbon neutrality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero overall. Achieving net zero requires both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving and enhancing natural absorption processes.

Nature Positive

By halting and reversing biodiversity loss to place nature on a path to recovery, this approach goes beyond simply protecting nature. It seeks to transform society and the economy as a whole so that they contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and related goals.

Circular Economy

To build a circular society, it is essential to shift away from a one-way, linear economic model based on mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal. Instead, we must promote a circular economy that uses resources efficiently and sustainably, circulating them within the system.

Actions best suited for the Protector

  • Decarbonization

    You continue energy-saving actions that feel manageable and help prevent unnecessary energy waste.

  • Nature Positive

    You look after nearby nature and the environment, choosing actions that avoid causing harm.

  • Circular Economy

    You use things with care and keep them in good condition so they last longer.

The Protector's Role

Your strength as the Guardian type is the ability to support environmental action in ways that last over time. Even if the changes are not always visible, your steady care helps keep environmental efforts stable and moving forward.

Environmental Types
About the Sixth Basic Environment Plan (PDF)
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