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1. Research on Countermeasures Against Global Warming:
Research of International Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mitigation Technologies
a) Hosting an International Meeting on Mid-Long Term Strategy for Climate Change
Prior to the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, GISPRI organized an International Meeting on Mid-Long Term Strategy for Climate Change under the auspices of the Government of Japan (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) and the University of Tokyo at the Convention Hall of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Tokyo University, in Komaba, Tokyo on June 30-July, 2008. Distinguished academics and researchers from Japan, US, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Austria were invited to conduct in-depth discussions of various climate change issues including long-term targets, the assessment of and future outlook for mitigation technologies and post-Kyoto framework, using the latest scientific findings. It gathered about 280 participants.
b) Survey of Scientific GHG Mitigation Technologies at International Research Institutions
Along with surveys on international R&D trend of climate change with the use of publicly available information, we conducted relevant hearings about it for Japanese, American and Austrian researchers.
c) A Recommendation of Mid-Long Term Climate Change Strategy
Based on above-mentioned a) and b), the International Meeting on Mid-Long Term Strategy for Climate Change drafted a recommendation to boost up “the Cool Earth Initiative” communicated at the Davos Forum in January 2008 and G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in July 2008. It proposed that sustainable and long-term efforts toward deep emissions cut to stabilize atmospheric concentrations are pivotal. Also, it suggested developed countries take account of mitigation cost; establish responsible mitigation scenarios; and prepare a new accommodating and responsive architecture for developing countries. Further, it stated that diffusion of existing technologies and development/diffusion/deployment of innovative technologies are necessary and that experts should present future options and evidences to policy makers based on scientific knowledge.
2. Research on Environmental Measures（International Trend Survey over Climate Change Issues）
a) Information Provision of International Trend over Global Warming Problems
GISPRI provided Japanese translation services for the up-to-date reporting of the ongoing negotiation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in cooperation with The International Institute for Sustainable Development.
UNFCCC-related information that GISPRI provided includes: the 28th Session of the UN Subsidiary Bodies (SB28) and Ad Hoc Working Group meetings in Bonn, Germany in June 2008, the third session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA 3), Accra, Ghana in August 2008, the fourteenth session of the Conference of the Parties under the Convention (COP 14) and the fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 4). IPCC-related information includes the twenty-ninth session of the Panel (IPCC-29) in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2008.
In order to update the international development concerning global warming issues, GISPRI sent delegations of experts for the Japanese government and our researchers to following meetings: the Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium(IAMC) and the Energy Modeling Forum(EMF), (Austria, September 2008), Climate Change High Level Meeting (Beijing, China, November 2008), Lead Author’s Meeting for the IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (São José dos Campos, Brazil, January 2009), in addition to AWG-LCA3, COP14, COP/MOP4, IPCC-29.
b) European Climate Change Policy Research− Focusing on the U.K.
GISPRI conducted research through the Japan External Trade Organization（JETRO）about European climate change policies focusing on the UK to compile a report on: the Climate Change Act 2008; UK efforts toward low carbon economy; and EU’s trend.
3. Research on Countermeasures of Environmental Issues (Symposium-Related Project to Host an International Climate Change Symposium for Efficient Energy Use）
a) Hosting an International Symposium
GISPRI organized the International Symposium on Post-Kyoto International Climate Change Framework and Sectoral Approaches with the support of Nippon Keidanren at the Keidanren Kaikan Hall, Tokyo on February 27, 2009. In addition to the keynote speaker, Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer, Co-Chair of the IPCC Workgroup III, industry specialists and analysts from home and abroad made presentations in Session 1 entitled “To Construct a post-Kyoto international framework since COP14,” and Session 2 “Embodiement of sectoral approaches for a post-Kyoto international framework”, followed by a panel discussion.
Through the discussion about the progress at COP14 and the recent development over mitigation at IPCC, industry concerns and expectations and policy implications were identified at the backdrop of the ongoing future framework talks moving in high gear. This symposium gathered 240 participants.
b) Research on Post-Kyoto International Frameworks
We conducted a research through JETRO to follow-up the international response of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, and US and EU energy and environment policies, in considering post-Kyoto international framework. The content of the research included the US Congress and Obama administration, the policy trend of Italy, UK, France and Germany, with interviews for intellectuals to explore the post-2012 international architecture.
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