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| NEWS |
Implications of COVID-19 for the Environment and Sustainability (Version 2): Perspectives from the Triple R (Response, Recovery, Redesign) Framework
On 18 December, IGES released its position paper “Implications of COVID-19 for the Environment and Sustainability (Version 2): Perspectives from the Triple R (Response, Recovery, Redesign) Framework”. Based on progress made since the release of Version 1 in May 2020, IGES revisited how environment and sustainability concerns are factored into decisions related to COVID-19. The paper focuses on particularly relevant issues to the pandemic such as medical waste management, wildlife-human relationships, and the adverse effects of air pollution, as they have substantial bearing on strengthening resilience in the future. In addition, a few untapped strategies such as changes in lifestyle and workstyle are highlighted for more substantial decarbonisation in the future. It also discusses the importance of consistent and strategic measures to address these issues in line with the “Triple R” Framework proposed by IGES, and consisting of “response”, “recovery”, and “redesign”. This framework is set out in detail in the discussion paper, “A Sustainable COVID-19 Response, Recovery, and Redesign: Principles and Applications of the Triple R Framework” (Zusman et al., 2020), published concurrently.
 More details available here |
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IGES and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia Sign MoU to Strengthen Policy Research for Circular Economy and Prevention of Marine Plastic Pollution in ASEAN+3 Countries
On 7 January, IGES and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) signed an MoU to promote data-driven policymaking and knowledge dissemination over the next five years. Though the MoU covers comprehensive collaboration between the two institutions, the initial focus is on promotion of circular economy, such as prevention of marine plastic pollution. The first collaborative project, “Data Driven Policy Research Programme on Marine Plastic Debris”, will be implemented jointly through ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris (RKC-MPD).
More details available here
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January Updates for the Platform for Redesign 2020
The Platform for Redesign, an initiative started by the Ministry of the Environment Japan and managed by IGES, kicks off 2021 with new policies and measures from various countries (Norway, Guinea, Japan, Latvia, Russia, Panama, Azerbaijan), to achieve a sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19. In addition to these new measures, more information regarding France’s recovery plan can be found by visiting the updated reference links. Visitors can also see updated summary graphs that show trends in the measures taken by countries and give a snapshot of global actions in moving toward a green recovery.
More details available here |
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Three Local Government Reports Available in the VLR Lab
IGES manages the VLR Lab, an online platform offering comprehensive information about local government actions on the SDGs. Voluntary Local Review (VLR) is an international initiative in which local governments voluntarily review the status of their efforts on the SDGs and publish the results as a report comparable with other local governments. New reports on the cities of Taipei, Bonn and Taoyuan have been added to the VLR Lab. With the most diverse population in Taiwan, Taoyuan has experienced rapid urban development and is implementing the concept of sustainable development by using the SDGs as part of an integrated municipal management plan. It is committed to achieving the three major goals of “Healthy and Friendly”, “Livable and Decent Work”, and “Smart and Resilient”, and has formulated 10 policy guidelines that closely align with the 17 SDGs.
More details available here
Link for Taoyuan City: here
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| EVENTS |
Symposium: “Clear the Path for a Sustainable Future - The Harmonious Coexistence Between Nature and Humankind in the COVID-19 Era”
On 3 February, IGES and the Expo '90 Foundation will co-host the International Cosmos Prize Online Symposium. It will feature talks by Gretchen Daily (Stanford), Johan Rockström (PIK), and Kazuhiko Takeuchi (IGES), and be moderated by Tetsuji Ida (Kyodo News). The symposium takes place at a time when COVID-19 has drastically changed our societies. The pandemic is thought to have been caused by imbalances in the relationship between nature and humans, such as climate change and deforestation, so we must think about how to live in harmony with nature. This symposium will feature messages on how we can move forward in the COVID-19 era and beyond, from distinguished guest speakers who have worked for a long time toward resolving global environmental issues.
More details available here |
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Recent Developments in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement
On 16 February, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and IGES are hosting a seminar to provide opportunities for private companies that are interested in the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), and to share recent updates on carbon markets globally and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, as well as practical cases on the ground in partner countries such as Thailand, Bangladesh and Kenya. This takes place in light of the Japanese government’s announcement last year of its aim for the “realisation of a carbon-neutral and decarbonised society by 2050”.
More details available here
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Webinar on the CCET Guideline Series on Intermediate Municipal Solid Waste Treatment Technologies
On 17 February, IGES and its partners will present the third of three webinars dedicated to assisting policymakers and practitioners in developing countries with their selection of appropriate waste management technologies, and implementation of related policies and strategies to improve management of waste. Focusing on Mechanical - Biological Treatment, the seminar aims to give participants a deeper understanding of the CCET guideline series on intermediate municipal solid waste treatment technologies, which discusses existing options, their advantages and disadvantages, and related challenges people may face on the ground. The webinar series was developed by the IGES Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (CCET) and the United Nations Environment Programme International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP IETC), in collaboration with the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) and the Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste Management (JSMCWM). This webinar on MBT is also a back-to-back event of the 3R International Scientific Conference on Material Cycles and Waste Management (3RINCs).
More details available here
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The 7th 3R International Scientific Conference (3RINCs) [Paid event]
The 3RINCs Conference will be held on 11 March and 15-19 March. Although social activity has stagnated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many parts of the world have already begun to rebuild their economies with green recovery policies. Green recovery is also required in the field of waste and material cycling. Under these circumstances, global academics, policymakers and business representatives, especially those from the Asia-Pacific region, will come together for interdisciplinary discussions. In the “Special Session” participants will share information and discuss topics such as: analytical methods of plastic waste, organic waste and food waste management, disaster waste management and waste management during/after COVID-19, while the “General Session” will cover an even wider range of topics. In addition, the conference will focus on the exchange of ideas between companies and researchers/participants during discussions of global issues in the field of waste and material cycling.
More details available here
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Event Report: “Beyond Coal – Towards Net-zero Emissions: A Common Challenge for Japan and Germany”
In October 2020, Prime Minister Suga of Japan declared his intention to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, while Germany has also expressed the same goal. One key to meeting this objective will be changes in the coal-fired power plant and coal sector. This online event, organised on 18 December by the German Embassy in Tokyo, Climate Transparency and IGES, brought together high-level government representatives, businesses, think tanks and NGOs from Japan, Germany and other countries, to discuss questions such as “What does a net-zero emissions pledge mean for the coal sector?”, “What role can renewables and hydrogen play in domestic and overseas markets?” and “How can Japan and Germany collaborate and encourage other countries to decarbonise, as part of their technology export strategies?” Presentation slides and the video are now available.
More details available here
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Event Report: “Asian Transparency Workshop (Online)”
On 14-15 December, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), IGES, UNFCCC-IGES Regional Collaboration Centre (RCC) for Asia and the Pacific and Global Support Programme (GSP) convened the Asian Transparency Workshop. It highlighted four aspects for preparation of the first Biennial Transparency Report (BTR): a) the importance of understanding basic information about BTRs and possible solutions to existing challenges; b) possible future reporting under Article 6; c) access to international funding and support; and d) strategic options for strengthening regional collaboration in Asia including mutual learning.
To download the agenda and presentations: here
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Event Report: Training: “Creating Sustainable, Zero-Carbon Societies through City-to-City Collaboration”
From 7-10 December, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and IGES organised the training programme “Creating Sustainable, Zero-Carbon Societies through City-to-City Collaboration”. The first day included an explanation of the decarbonisation movement taking place internationally and in Japan, and the mechanism of city-to-city collaboration. The participating local governments also introduced themselves and their low/zero-carbon visions. The thematic sessions on the three subsequent days were “Water and Sanitation Infrastructure with Low-Carbon Co-Benefit”, “Resource Circulation and Sustainable Energy”, and “Resilient and Low/Zero-Carbon Urban Planning”, based on the priority issues identified through pre-interviews with local governments in participating Asian countries. In response, the Japanese presenters shared their efforts and technologies in a wide range of fields that results in mitigating carbon emissions as well as creating sustainable and resilient societies.
More details available here
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Event Report: “Second Author Meeting of the IPBES Assessment of Invasive Alien Species and Their Control”
From 30 November - 7 December, IPBES convened the second author meeting for the assessment of invasive alien species, which also represented the first ever fully virtual author meeting in the history of IPBES. In the IPBES Global Assessment Report, invasive alien species have been identified as one of the five main direct drivers of biodiversity loss at the global level. About 90 experts from more than 40 countries, carefully selected to encompass all regions and expertise, participated in assessing the current status and trends of invasive alien species and their impacts, and providing policy-relevant options to promote effective invasive alien species management and adaptation strategies. The meeting was organised by the IPBES technical support unit for the assessment of invasive alien species, hosted by IGES at its Tokyo Sustainable Forum, and supported by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan.
More details available here
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| PUBLICATIONS |
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“A Net-Zero World -2050 Japan-: Insight into Essential Changes for a Sustainable Future”
Research Report
(Tsuyoshi KAWAKAMI, Akihisa KURIYAMA, Yosuke ARINO)
Many people are becoming aware that we need to realise a world where the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted and absorbed cancel each other out — in other words, a net-zero world. This report describes the momentum behind the design for such a world, and sets out two possible scenarios. The report estimates the emissions for each scenario and discusses their feasibility. It then outlines visions for daily life, industry, cities, agriculture and adaptation, among others, and finally looks at the challenges for a just transition.
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“A Sustainable COVID-19 Response, Recovery, and Redesign: Principles and Applications of the Triple R Framework”
Discussion Paper
(Eric ZUSMAN, Erin KAWAZU, André MADER et al.)
Policymakers are contemplating whether decisions made in the wake of COVID-19 are inclusive, resilient and sustainable enough to bring about a course change in development. This paper sets out the design features of the “Triple R” Framework that connects targeted “Response” interventions with broader “Recovery” policies and related stimulus spending while “Redesigning” socioeconomic systems to support the framework’s response and recovery elements. The paper outlines several sustainability principles (i.e. scalability) that policymakers should aim to achieve to strengthen the integration within and across COVID-19 decisions.
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Discussion Paper
“Challenges for Realising Japan’s Long-term Strategy for Decarbonisation under the Paris Agreement, and the Role of Scenarios”
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Book Chapters
“Conserving Biodiversity for a Sustainable Future: Perspectives from the Satoyama Initiative” (in Implementing the Satoyama Initiative for the Benefit of Biodiversity and Human Well-being - Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region)
“A Gap Analysis of the Contribution of Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes to the Sustainable Development Goals” (in Implementing the Satoyama Initiative for the Benefit of Biodiversity and Human Well-being - Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region)
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Submission to Policy Process
“Implications of COVID-19 for the Environment and Sustainability (Version 2): Perspectives from the Triple R (Response, Recovery, Redesign) Framework”
“Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan for Negombo City, Sri Lanka, 2020–2030” (Tamil Version)
“Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan for Negombo City, Sri Lanka, 2020–2030” (Sinhala Version)
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Peer-reviewed Articles
“Estimation of Urban Ecosystem Services Value: A Case Study of Chengdu, Southwestern China” (Remote Sensing)
“Decarbonisation of the Power Sector to Engender a ‘Just transition’ in Japan: Quantifying Local Employment Impacts” (Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews)
“Post-2020 Biodiversity Targets Need to Embrace Climate Change” (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America)
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| RECRUITMENT / INTERNSHIP |
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Regional Centre in Bangkok (BRC) seeks Climate Change Technical Officer
The position will remain open until filled.
 More details available here
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The Research and Publications Unit of the Strategic Management Office Calls for Internship Applicants
More details available here
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