In striving to achieve Net-Zero, it is crucial that all stakeholders work together by leveraging their respective strengths and positions. Universities play a particularly significant role by generating scientific knowledge that underpins national and regional policies, drives technological innovation, and in disseminating that to relevant stakeholders. Against this background, the University Coalition for Achieving Carbon Neutrality (the University Coalition) was established in July 2021. The University Coalition serves as a platform for information sharing and dissemination among over 200 universities and organisations across Japan that are actively working towards Net-Zero. This seminar will discuss the role of universities in achieving Net-Zero by 2050, and explore how universities can collaborate with relevant stakeholders by sharing concrete initiatives and identifying directions to be pursued both in Japan and internationally. The event will conclude with a panel discussion featuring NextGen group members - current university and postgraduate students - who will share their expectations of universities as well as their plans for continuing activities after graduation.
Wed 12 Nov. 2025
Brazil time
10:00-11:15
Japan time
22:00-23:15 (+1day)
The Role of Universities in Achieving Net-Zero by 2050
Organizer : Ministry of Environment, Japan・Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology・Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Co-organizer : Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
Abstract
Program
Opening remarks and framing presentation
TAKATSUKI Aya｜Deputy Director, Environment and Energy Division, Research and Development Bureau, MEXT, Japan
Panel discussion - 1
KAKEGAWA Michiyo｜Professor, Faculty of Economics, Department of Economics, Soka University
UEDA Chikako｜Chief Research Administrator, Headquarters for Research and Development Strategy, Kumamoto University
TERAUSHI Koki｜Office of Chancellor, Tokai University
KONDO Michio｜Professor, Research Innovation Center, Waseda University
Panel discussion - 2
YAMAUCHI Taro｜Director, Center for Environmental and Health Sciences / Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University
TSUJITA So｜LCOY Project Leader, Climate Youth Japan
TBC｜TBC (Representative, NextGen group)
Franck Lecocq｜Former Director, International research center on environment and development (CIRED) / Professor of Economics, AgroParisTech (Paris Institute
of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences)
Ho Chin Siong｜Professor, UTM / Director, UTM-Low Carbon Asia Research Centre (UTM-LCARC)
Closing remarks
IZAKI Tokie｜Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Education, MOEJ
