Keio Research Institute at SFC

Objectives

This laboratory is oriented as a research base in Japan for Earth System Governance. Earth System Governance (ESG) is one of the core projects of the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP,) and is one of the world’s largest networks of researchers in the field of global environment policy research. IHDP closed its doors in 2014, and the transition of IHDP activities into the core projects of Future Earth’s international programs down the road is currently underway. While the relationship between human society and earth systems rapidly and intensively grows deeper, cross-cutting efforts are being made from the perspective of governance as to how mankind should confront and manage natural environments and ecosystems. The establishment of this laboratory is significant as an existence to constitute the international framework of future global environment research, and it is thought that this laboratory will contribute to the creation and strengthening of systems in Asia, which is an agenda for the ESG project. This laboratory will form networks with 10 ESG international research centers and will serve as a base for international cooperation.
(http://www.earthsystemgovernance.org/places)

The implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) scheduled to be decided in the United Nations General Assembly in September will be centrally positioned in research activities. It has been decided that the SDGs will not only target developing countries, but also that they will become a universal aim for the entire world including developed nations. In other words, SDGs will be established, enforced and evaluated towards achieving the goals for 2030 in collaboration with various levels (not only at a global level at the United Nations, but also at regional, domestic, local or even corporate levels, etc.). By collaborating with stakeholders to conduct transdisciplinary research promoting new academic and practical development, this laboratory will examine the development and implementation of SDGs that are effective towards issues affecting Japanese society such as regional revitalization, and will aim to make proposals from Japan to the international community through its networks.

Overview of Research Activity Plan (August 5, 2015 – August 4, 2016)

• Establishment of the laboratory and networks
• Conducting research on how the interface of science and policy should be in order to implement and evaluate SDGs based on the decisions made at the UN General Assembly in September 2015.
• Clarifying and examining issues on promoting transdisciplinary research to discover what is needed to create “realistic goals”
• Conducting research and education on ESG research themes such as “Architecture” and “Agency.”
• Planning and implementing transdisciplinary workshops in New York
  Dates: June 19-20 (scheduled to be held in accordance with UN negotiations)
  Participants: Approximately 20 government representatives + officials from international organizations, and approximately 20 researchers
  Objective: Collaborate with stakeholders to select and examine concrete issues for promoting transdisciplinary research in the context of SDGs.
• Collaborating and implementing plans towards the establishment of SDSN Japan
  Aim to create autonomous distributed networks composed of research institutions and universities, corporations, local governments, and civic organizations, to follow international trends by cooperating with personnel from UN organizations and international institutions, and to clarify optimal methods needed in implementing SDGs in Japan. Obtain practical knowledge through transdisciplinary research and promote new academic and practical development.
• Hold a session at the Canberra Conference on Earth System Governance in December.

Researchers, managers and professors