The University Coalition Contributing to Achieving Carbon Neutrality, established in July 2021, has five working groups (WGs). The Regional Zero Carbon WG, comprising of 89 universities and organisations in Japan, has been looking at how universities and regions can promote cooperation, an issue that many universities are struggling to achieve. Shinshu University has been promoting regional cooperation for many years by taking advantage of its campuses scattered throughout Nagano Prefecture, collaborating and building trust with various stakeholders inside and outside the university. In addition, graduates from the university work for local governments and companies in the prefecture, and this multi-layered network of human resources drives regional transition to zero carbon. Meanwhile, Hiroshima University has adapted the “Town & Gown concept”, aiming to solve social problems and realise a sustainable future through the social implementation of the university's science, technology and innovation. This is achieved in collaboration with local governments and with the participation of businesses.

This session will focus on advanced regional cooperation models by universities and will feature an exchange of views on the challenges and opportunities associated with university initiatives to decarbonise regions and solve regional challenges. By identifying similarities between the models, as well as differences due to history, regional characteristics, and other factors, the session will also provide a space to discuss the extent to which these models can be applied to other universities and regions, both in Japan and abroad, and what implications this will have.