Research Areas & Themes ( 2011 ): Natural Resources, Energy & Environment
| Project Leader |
|
| Project Member(s) |
・
・
・
|
| Collaborator(s) |
Hiroshi UJITA（Tokyo Institute of Technology）, Yasumasa FUJII（The University of Tokyo）, Ryoichi KOMIYAMA（The University of Tokyo） and more |
| Project Overview |
We will develop globally sharable CO2 reduction target for mitigating global warming. We will propose that the global community should cooperate on achieving a best energy mix that is optimal for the world as a whole, one obtained based on the science of climate change and energy engineering models.
1) Based on a new concept for global warming mitigation that replaces stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations, "overshoot scenarios and zero emissions," we will seek the optimal energy mix for the entire world under carbon dioxide emission controls by using long-term simulation of energy models.
2) We will examine emission curves, total investment in energy, and the benefits of energy conservation in developed and developing nations over the medium to long term and develop scenarios that address the control of global warming through international cooperation.
3) We will propose frameworks for the best energy mix based on a cost balance of renewable energy, nuclear power, and fossil fuels that balances economic growth and the environment. We will also propose frameworks for the medium- and long-term development and dissemination of energy technology that will make this possible.
4) We will examine reduction and energy conservation costs in developed and developing nations and study international cooperation and support for developing nations in order to meet world reduction targets.
We will hold international symposiums to share the results of above research and carry out dialogs with experts in Europe, the USA, and China, seek consensus on our proposal based on our findings, and work to develop shared goals.
|
| Project Leader |
|
| Project Member(s) |
・
|
| Collaborator(s) |
Masahiko OZAKI, Shigeru TABETA, Takuji WASEDA, Tetsuo YAMAZAKI, Koichi FURUSHO, Masayuki TAKASHIMA, Masatsugu TANIGUCHI, Toyohiko MURAKI, Shouji KAMINOKADO, and more |
| Project Overview |
We will research the creation of marine industries and security in a nation founded on marine industries in order to realize a maritime nation.
1) Steps in creating new marine industries
We will plan the following in light of actual marine industries:
(i) Development of guiding policies and laws
(ii) Development of infrastructure for industry technology
(iii) Private-sector startups and public funding support
(iv) Establishment of international competitiveness and engagement in international cooperation
From the previous fiscal year's research on offshore oilfields and hydrothermal deposits, this year's targets for study will be cobalt-rich crusts related to rare earths and rare metals and ocean-current energy.
2) The nature of security for the development and use of exclusive economic zones
We will examine the systems, scale, and laws needed to secure Japan's resource interests and the safety of its marine industries in its exclusive economic zone. Our study also focus on the nature of dialog with neighboring countries and the possibility of international cooperation as they relate to development and we will examine the nature of global leadership.
The results of the above research will be put together into proposals. We will hold international symposiums, carry out discussions with experts from Asia, Europe, and the USA, and share the proposals. |
| Project Leader |
|
| Project Member(s) |
・
|
| Collaborator(s) |
Shigeru TABETA（The University of Tokyo） and more |
| Project Overview |
Oceans will play a major role in solving environmental and energy problems as represented by "global warming". However, such human activities as urbanization and the development of mining, and manufacturing inevitably impact marine environments. New environmental issues arise whenever our activities go beyond the capacity of the natural resilience of the environment. In this way, the marine environment in international waters of the East China Sea is continually worsening. Long-term joint efforts by Japan and China to restore and conserve the environment are essential, but at this time there is almost no movement between the two countries regarding the marine environment conservation and restoration. The ocean issues faced by Japan and China are diverse. We seek ways to begin dialog with China through jointly work on research on conserving the marine environment. It will be carried out with an eye to developing it into dialog and joint research on ocean utilization and development.
We will move forward with the collection, organization, and analysis of existing observation data that we began during the previous fiscal year. We will use it to expose the state of the East China Sea's marine environment and pollution. The information will be shared among experts from Japan and China. At the same time, we will construct joint research frameworks in order to propose plans for pollution cleanup and environmental conservation. We will perform joint research with the University of Tokyo and form a research group including Chinese experts, and also will lead the group and create a momentum to build frameworks for the revival of ocean issues by Japan and China. The results of the joint research will be reported at a CIGS Japanese-Chinese forum where we begin a dialog on ocean issues and propose an overall framework for the marine issues. |
back to Research Areas TOP
