Anew Japan Climate Fund has been launched to support communityled agrivoltaic projects aimed at strengthening climate resilience, promoting renewable energy and improving the livelihoods of farming communities across Japan.
The fund, established under the Public Resource Foundation, begins operations with an initial contribution of ¥20 million (approximately US$130,000) from the Singapore-based Tara Climate Foundation, which supports clean energy transition initiatives across Asia.
The inaugural funding program, titled ‘Solar Sharing Grant Program: Connecting Agriculture and the Future,’ offi cially opened applications on July 6.
The initiative seeks to promote agrivoltaics-also known as solar sharing-a system that allows agricultural land to be used simultaneously for crop production and solar power generation.
The approach is expected to provide farmers with more stable incomes while contributing to Japan’s renewable energy expansion and climate goals.
According to the organizers, farming communities across Japan are increasingly experiencing the impacts of climate change through declining yields, unpredictable weather patterns and growing fi nancial uncertainty.
The new fund aims to strengthen locally driven solutions that combine sustainable agriculture with clean energy development.
Sachiko Kishimoto, Co-founder and Chief Operating Offi cer of the Public Resource Foundation, said the fund is designed to support climate solutions developed by local communities.
She noted that agrivoltaic projects can create signifi cant benefi ts when designed around farmers’ needs, helping strengthen rural economies while advancing Japan’s clean energy transition.
The Japan Climate Fund is intended to serve as a catalytic fi nancing mechanism, with its founders inviting additional philanthropic organizations and donors across Asia to contribute and expand the program in the coming years.
Junichi Sato, Program Director for East Asia at Tara Climate Foundation, said community-based initiatives are essential for achieving an inclusive energy transition.
He expressed hope that the fund would help Japanese organizations and local communities develop agrivoltaic projects that deliver lasting environmental and economic benefi ts for farmers.
Under its fi rst grant program, the fund will support initiatives that improve farmers’ resilience to climate change, strengthen regional agricultural economies and expand the use of renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Eligible projects include developing partnerships among local governments, businesses and farming communities; providing technical assistance and training for farmers interested in agrivoltaic systems; documenting successful projects for wider dissemination; creating local renewable electricity markets; and preparing environmental and community-based guidelines for agrivoltaic development.
Project proposals must demonstrate both climate adaptation benefi ts for farming communities and measurable contributions to greenhouse gas emission reductions through renewable energy deployment.
Applications will be evaluated by an independent panel of experts based on technical merit, community impact and alignment with the program’s climate and sustainable development objectives.
The launch of the Japan Climate Fund reflects growing efforts across Asia to promote innovative fi nancing mechanisms that integrate climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy development through locally led initiatives.