Symposium “Envisioning the Future of Sustainability Scenario Research: Diverse Approaches in Environmental Economics and Policy Studies (30th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium of the Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies)”

  • Date：
    Thu, Dec 25, 2025
  • Time：
    13:30–16:30 (JST)
  • Location：
    Grand Conference Room, Sanjo Conference Hall, Hongo Campus, The University of Tokyo, or online (hybrid format)
  • Organizer：

    Symposium Planning and Execution Committee on Scenarios
    (Masahiro Sugiyama(The University of Tokyo), Seita Emori(The University of Tokyo), Toshihiko Masui (Osaka University / National Institute for Environmental Studies), Yasuko Kameyama(The University of Tokyo), Kiyoshi Takahashi(National Institute for Environmental Studies), Shinichiro Fujimori(Kyoto University), Junichi Thuthui(Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry))

  • Co-organizers：

    Social scenario research program towards a carbon neutral society, JST Social Scenario Research Project
    Japan Model Intercomparison Platform (JMIP) for Sustainable Futures Research Unit, Institute for Future Initiatives, the University of Tokyo
    Climate Change Research Inter-Project and Scenario Collaboration Initiative
    Climate Crisis Research Initiative for National Institute for Environmental Studies,Japan
    Options and Implications of Carbon Dioxide Removal under a 1.5 °C Target (Project 1-2401, ERTDF)
    Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies

  • Language：

    Japanese (no simultaneous interpretation)

  • Capacity：

    On-site: 100 / Online: 1,000 (registration will close when capacity is reached)

  • Registration：

    Registration required (free of charge)
    Deadline: Tuesday, December 23 (noon)

    Social scenario research program towards a carbon neutral society, JST Social Scenario Research Project and Japan Model Intercomparison Platform (JMIP) for Sustainable Futures Research Unit, Institute for Future Initiatives, the University of Tokyo, collect personal information to provide details about this event and to share information about future activities. This information will not be disclosed to any third party.

Registration is now closed for this event.
Purpose

As global environmental challenges intensify and uncertainty grows around social and technological change, scenario research that envisions sustainable futures has become a foundation for policy debate. In September 2024, the United Nations held the “Summit of the Future” adopting the Pact for the Future and further elevating international momentum to rethink policy design and the shape of society from a long-term perspective. Within the Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, members have contributed extensively to domestic and international research, and discussions have been active within the society. This symposium looks back on past research, surveys the latest trends, and discusses pathways for applying scenarios to environmental economics and policy through concrete case studies. It also explores prospects for future research.

This symposium is held as part of the 30th anniversary of the Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies.
It is open to anyone with an interest in scenario research, carbon-neutral society, and climate change mitigation — including researchers, business professionals, and government officials with some background knowledge, as well as young scholars and students. Participation is free of charge.

Program (tentative)
  • 13:30–13:40
    Opening & Objectives

    Masakazu Sugiyama（Director and Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo; Principal Investigator, JST Scenario Project）

  • 13:40–14:50
    Session 1 | The Frontiers of Scenario Research (70 min)

    ［Moderator］
    Kiyoshi Takahashi（Director, Social Systems Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies）

    ［Speakers］
    -Osamu Nishiura (Researcher, Social Systems Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies)
    Activities of model intercomparison projects and an introduction to quantified mitigation scenarios developed in this project

    -Xia Shujuan (Assistant Professor, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo)
    Sustainable Food Futures—Insights from AgMIP and the role of seafood

    -Haruka Ohashi (Principal Researcher, National Research and Development Agency Forest Research and Management Organization Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute)
    The intersection of climate action and biodiversity conservation: challenges and prospects depicted by scenario research

  • 14:50–15:00
    Break (10 min)
  • 15:00–16:20
    Session 2 | Bridging Scenarios and Environmental Policy: The Case of Decarbonization (80 min)

    ［Moderator］
    Seita Emori (Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo)

    ［Speakers］
    -Yasuhiro Goto (Director, Energy Strategy Office, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy(ANRE), METI)
    The 7th Strategic Energy Plan and Outlook for Energy Supply and Demand in FY2040

    -Toshihiko Masui (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University / Senior Principal Researcher, Social Systems Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies)
    Analyses of Japan’s decarbonization scenarios

    -Shinichiro Fujimori (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University)
    The role of CDR under long-term climate mitigation goals and examples from global studies

    -Masahiro Sugiyama (Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo)
    Toward linking policy analysis and scenario analysis

  • 16:20–16:30
    Wrap-up & Closing

    -Yasuko Kameyama (Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo; Vice President, SEEPS)

    -Junichi Tsutsui (Distinguished Research Scientist, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry)

  • [Moderator]
    Manuela Hartwig (Project Researcher, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo)

  • The program is subject to change.

  • Contact

    “Societal Scenarios Based on Integrated Knowledge to Accelerate the Transition to Carbon Neutrality” Project
    cn-scenario-group★g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
    (Replace ★ with @)