Projects

Domestic Projects 

 Environment Research and Technology Development Fund

1-2401 「Development of scenarios focusing on carbon dioxide removal under 1.5 degree climate change mitigation 」 (FY2024-FY2026) 

2-2502 「 」 (FY2025-FY2027) 

KAKENHI (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research)

 Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)  (FY2023-FY2026)

 Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)  (FY2023-FY2025)

JST-LCS (FY2023-FY2026)

IAMC (Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium)

The Integrated Assessment Consortium (IAMC) is an organization of scientific research organizations. The IAMC was created in 2007 in response to a call from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for a research organization to lead the integrated assessment modeling community in the development of new scenarios that could be employed by climate modelers in the development of prospective ensemble numerical experiments for both the near term and long term. 

ELEVATE  

ELEVATE’s main aim is to develop new scientific insights to support the preparations of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national climate policies focused on achieving net-zero emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.

ENGAGE  

ENGAGE is a global consortium of nearly 30 partners coordinated by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and co-led by several other institutions under Horizon 2020 umbrella. The project runs from 1 September 2019 through 31 August 2023 and will explore the feasibility of pathways that can meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement. 

EMF (Energy Modeling Forum)

EMF seeks to improve the use of energy and environmental policy models for making important corporate and government decisions.  Three major goals guide this effort:

1. Harness the collective capabilities of multiple models to improve the understanding of important energy and associated environmental problems,

2. explain the strengths and limitations of competing approaches to the problem, and

3. provide guidance for future research efforts.

COMMIT (Climate pOlicy assessment and Mitigation Modeling to Integrate national and global Transition pathways)

http://www.pbl.nl/commit-project

AgMIP (The Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project)

http://www.agmip.org/

1-2101 「A study on global decarbonization pathways considering technological, economic and social feasibility」 (FY2021-FY2023) 

The research assesses technological, economic and social feasibility with quantitative scenario analysis by developing the innovative integrated assessment models, which are based on Asia-Pacific Integrated Model (AIM), with new models on energy and food systems. Social feasibility is assessed through the stakeholder meetings with the quantitative information from IAMs. This study explores global decarbonization pathways considering the effects of innovative technologies, lifestyle changes and climate polices. 

2-2104 「Transition to decarbonization: Multi-model assessment on innovation and lifestyle transformation」 (FY2021-FY2023) 

This research clarifies the role of innovation and lifestyle transformation on Japan's transition to decarbonization by multi-model mitigation scenario assessment in conjunction with the transition study.

2-2002 「Climate mitigation measures and sustainable development to achieve net zero emissions for the world 」 (FY2020-FY2022) 

This research answers the research question, "What kind of society is it to create and accept to achieve net zero emissions in a way that does not impair the sustainability of human society and ecosystems?" , The overall goal is to quantify a global sustainability scenario that takes into account the interdependence of climate policy, climate impacts and sustainability.  Within this project, we are going to elaborate the integrated framework of current AIM by further incorporating biodiversity and land vegetation models. 

1-2002 「Effects of changes in society and consumer behavior on the realization of a decarbonized society in Japan 」 (FY2020-FY2022) 

The purpose of this research is to develop a socio-economic scenario for simultaneous solution of the challenges for the decarbonized society and social issues in Japan. To this end, this study quantifies GHG emission in Japan taking the social, lifestyle and consumption behavior changes into account.

Grant-in-Aid for Early Career Scientists

「Feasibility assessment of net zero CO2 emissions based on technological and socio-economic barriers」 (FY2020-FY2022)

There are several technological and socio-economic barriers to achieve the Paris Agreement climate goals. The objective of this study aims to explore how quickly the global CO2 emissions can be reduced give several barriers.  To this end, we develop a simulation model to estimate the CO2 emissions taking into account the speed of technology diffusion. In addition, this study aims to clarify the effect of additional policies to remove the barriers. 

 Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) 

「Assessment of the impact of reducing greenhouse gas emissions on poverty 」 (FY2019-FY2022)

Significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are required in the future under Paris Agreement. The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between poverty and low carbon society toward the 2 ° C goal. In order to realize that, we will develop a model that represents household behavior by income class, specifically household income, household consumption by goods and services, from micro data, which is survey data for individual households, Elucidate the impact of low carbon policies by income class and propose policies for low income groups.

  The Sumitomo Foundation Fiscal 2019 Grant for Environmental Research Project 

「Development of a method to assess global environmental impacts associated with Asian societal transformation 」 (FY2019-FY2021)

This study clarifies "the impact of social change on energy and environmental problems in the future from 2020 to 2050 in Asia". Here, the energy and environmental indicators associated with the SDGs will be quantified. Namely, thealth, energy security, waste, climate, and forest ecosystem derived from hunger, water shortage, and air pollution are considered. For this quantification work, a simulation model called an integrated assessment model (IAMs) that represent social economic and environmental systems in an single platform is used.

2-1908 「A study on deep-cutting of greenhouse gas emission reduction in Asia and benefit to Japan by its support」 (FY2019-FY2021) 

This research focuses on the technologies and systems necessary for achieving emission reductions, focusing on countries in which NDC targeting 2030, such as Thailand and Indonesia, is divided into its own efforts and targets with international support, among Asian countries. The emissions reduction potential and economic ripple effects will be using country-specific snapshot tools, energy system  and applied general equilibrium models. In addition, we try to identify the required reduction toward 2050 in each country corresponding to the emission pathways that achieves the 2 / 1.5 ° C goals given by a global integrated assessment model. In these countries, efforts to reduce non-energy related GHG emissions are also emphasized in their policies, and new modules will be developed, added, and analyzed so that measures derived from waste and land use change etc. can also be evaluated. 

The country's top GHG emissions such as China and India, which are the key to achieving the 2 / 1.5 ° C target, as well as small countries are assessed to explore the diversity of Asian countries . On the other hand, when Japan provides international support, in addition to exports of energy-saving products and infrastructure from Japan, it is also expected that the GHG emission reductions realized in each country will be used as credits. We will clarify the benefits of improvement using an applied general equilibrium model for Japan. The results of GHG emission reduction effects in each country will be reflected in the global model, and the effects and impacts that efforts in Asia and Japan toward achieving the 2 / 1.5 ° C target will have on the world will be clarified. In addition, model improvement for each country, collection of basic information for future scenario creation, evaluation of validity of calculation results using model and possibility of introducing policy, NDC from 2030 to 2050 Joint assessment with national experts will be conducted to assess the consistency of emission reduction targets with the long-term low-carbon development strategy towards the project.

2-1702 「Integrated Analyses of Climate Policies for Simultaneous Realization of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs」 (FY2017-FY2019) 

The Paris Agreement which was entered into force on 4th November 2016 states to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve these ambitious goals, the Paris Agreement requires all Parties to put forward their best efforts through “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs), and to strive to formulate and communicate long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies. While achievement of the goals agreed in the Paris Agreement is a necessity for the world to maintain its sustainability, it needs to be realized in a manner that does not disturb or disable the other important societal goals, typically exemplified as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at the UN Summit. For example, stringent mitigation policies to achieve the climate goal of the Paris Agreement may increase the risk of hunger in low-income countries through the expected increase in food prices and land resource conflicts between food crops production and bioenergy crops production. For achieving the global goals on climate and food security simultaneously, in addition to the GHGs mitigation efforts like energy system transformation, supplementary measures such as international aid or regional income redistribution would be needed. 

S-14 「Strategic Research on Global Mitigation and Local Adaptation to Climate Change (MiLAi)」 (FY2015-FY2019) 

How to improve the balance of investments in mitigation and adaptation will be assessed using various indices, including subjective wellbeing and livelihood assets, in addition to conventional economic indices, thereby supporting the development of an effective, efficient climate change policy based on environmental risk management under conditions of limited available resources. We constructed a prototype damage function for main sectors for a cost-benefit analysis, and conducted the primary estimation of adaptation using f undamental information collected for estimating damage in the main sectors. In particular, we discovered the importance of a synergistic effect among coral, seaweed beds, tidal f lats and mangrove breakwaters, and conducted an impact assessment for a cost-benefit analysis regarding the economy and health, using integrated measures of mitigation and adaptation in mega-cities. To evaluate these results, we investigated the limitations of analysis using the “Integrated Assessment Model Incorporating Global-Scale Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation” integrated with a global hydrological model, and used this knowledge to organize future work. Moreover, we are developing an evaluation method using our cost-benefit analysis method integrated with metrics such as subjective wellbeing and disability-adjusted life years based on the limitations of existing techniques in integrated strategic evaluation.

http://s-14.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ 

SATREPS「Development of Low Carbon Society Scenarios for Asian Regions」 (FY2010-H2015)

To reduce greenhouse gases worldwide, effective measures in emerging nations are indispensable. In a special economic zone in Malaysia centered on Johor Bahru, also known as Iskandar Malaysia, information on the economy, society, and technology for creating a low carbon society will be gathered and analyzed for five categories (power generation, industry, transportation, commercial, and residential), in order to develop integrated assessment models and scenarios for a low carbon society in 2025. Simulations performed with the model will then be used as the basis for a proposal of the policy system required to make the low carbon society a reality. The project will also provide assistance in devising solutions to the problems of air pollution, waste management, and poverty and other social problems in connection with the establishment of a low carbon society. 

https://www.jst.go.jp/global/english/kadai/h2204_malaysia.html

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

「Quantification of co-benefits of low carbon society policies on the improvement of air quality in China」 (FY2011-FY2015)

S-12 「Evaluation of SLCP Environmental Impact and Promotion of Climate Change Countermeasures through Seeking the Optimal Pathway」 (FY2014-FY2018) 

Air pollution is a serious global problem, especially in Asia. Development of countermeasures is a pressing issue for society. Air pollutants include black carbon, tropospheric ozone, methane, hydrof luorocarbons (HFCs) and other components which warm the earth's systems, accelerating global warming. These pollutants are called SLCPs (Shortlived Climate Pollutants). Reduction of SLCPs is an important action to take for mitigating global warming. For this purpose, we have to decrease the large uncertainty involved in estimating the climate impacts of SLCPs that result from their complex characteristics and distributions. This project aims at reducing the uncertainty of SLCP impact estimates via the following activities for seeking optimum SLCP pathways and effective countermeasures for impact reduction: 

(1) Cause and effect analysis of atmospheric quality change events and construction of an evaluation system. 

(2) Improvement of integrated models and their application to developing future scenarios. 

(3) Impact assessment of climate and environmental effects using numerical models. 

(4) Development of an integrated operational system. 

(5) Evaluation of the environmental effects and promotion of countermeasures to climate change. 

http://157.82.240.167/~S12/moej-s12/index.html

Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) 

「Quantification of Asian sustainable development goals: Environment. energy and food related indicators」 (FY2016-FY2018)

CD-LINKS  

http://www.cd-links.org/

https://www.ncp-japan.jp/casestudy/cd-links

ADVANCED (Advanced Model Development and Validation for the Improved Analysis of Cots and Impacts of Mitigation Policies )

http://www.fp7-advance.eu/

International Collaborations