Social Implementation of the Regional Circular and Ecological Sphere Initiative in Japan

IGES Kansai Research Centre is supporting a project for formulating a Satoyama-centered Regional Circular and Ecological Sphere (CES) model in North Settsu Area of Japan in line with the Hokusetsu Satoyama Museum Concept promoted by Hanshin-kita Office of Hyogo Prefectural Government. This project is being implemented under a regional resource circulation committee managed by Hanshin-kita Office through collaboration of members consisting of constituent local governments, private companies and citizens groups. With participation of representatives of the two key organisations, Hyogo Prefectural Government and Takarazuka Sumire Electric Power Co., Ltd., the session will introduce key features of the project, including regional energy management, biomass utilization, Satoyama conservation and experience-based tourism taking advantage of the proximity of urban and rural areas.

IGES Headquarters is also supporting implementation of a similar CES project in Suzu City, located on the Noto Peninsula, with features of Operating Unit of UNU-IAS in Ishikawa Prefecture (OUIK) in line with SDGs promotion. Suzu City engaged in a CES demonstration project from 2016-2018, whereby 10 local communities committed to conservation of biodiversity and Satoyama and Satoumi landscape through a local resource learning process. A successful case of value added, eco-friendly rice production by forming a partnership of local farmers, researchers and local women will be presented. The session will then introduce “Noto SDGs Lab”, established by Suzu City, UNU-IAS and other local research and commercial institutes and demonstrate how this successful case will be scaled up in the area.

Based on these two case studies, panelists will discuss how similar activities can be further developed and expanded with effective policy measures.