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Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

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APN Session Highlights Research on Diverse Pathways towards Low Carbon Societies

Yokohama, Japan, 25 July 2013 — APN organised an interactive session at the second annual meeting of the Low Carbon Asia Research Network (LoCARNet), featuring its ongoing work under the APN Low Carbon Initiatives (LCI) framework to support mitigation actions across countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The session was moderated by Dr. Akio Takemoto, Director, APN Secretariat and Prof. P. R. Shukla, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Dr. Takemoto introduced the LCI framework, emphasising the diverse yet interconnected areas of interest and research needs regarding low carbon development in the region, ranging from waste management, bioenergy and agriculture, to forestry and land use. This is well manifested in the thematic distribution of the expressions of interest received in 2012 under the LCI framework.

Four invited APN project leaders presented on how their research contributes to mitigation actions in Asia-Pacific towards low carbon societies.

  • Dr. Janya Sang-Arun, Senior policy researcher and task manager at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) introduced her project that promotes sustainable use of waste biomass in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand. The project produced national guidelines in local languages to encourage urban organic waste utilisation for food production, energy use, and climate change mitigation.
  • Dr. Shobhakar Dhakal, Associate Professor at the Asian Institute of Technology presented on his research on understanding the linkages between water, energy and carbon cycles in the context of low carbon development in Asian cities. He noted that a better understanding and quantification of such linkages will contribute to effective sustainable development plans that will help address climate change mitigation, energy security and water security.
  • Dr. Joni Jupesta of the United Nations University – Institute of Advanced Studies introduced his study on the low carbon urban infrastructure investment in China, Indonesia and Japan, with focus on institutional framework, life cycle assessment, risk assessment and integrated assessment. Among other outputs, this project is expected to develop policy guidelines in each country on sustainable urban infrastructure investment.
  • Prof. Damasa B. Magcale-Macandog of the University of the Philippines Los Baños introduced her project that aims to estimate bioenergy potentials from both biophysical and socioeconomic perspectives using hybrid analytical tools through systematic integration of parameters in trade-offs and pathways assessments.

As Prof. P. R. Shukla, co-moderator of the session pointed out, the four presented projects clearly highlighted the diverse need of research on low carbon development, and therefore it is necessary to conduct integrative studies to better understand the diverse but interconnected issues that would benefit the research and policy-making communities.

A number of important points were discussed, including the need for defining baseline scenarios across sectors, the role of “change agents” in catalysing policy actions, the importance of knowledge sharing between scientists and policy makers, among others.

The full summary of this interactive session is available at: https://www.apn-gcr.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/APN-session-Summary-at-2nd-LoCARNet-meeting.pdf

About the APN LCI framework

The LCI framework was launched in 2012 with a view to enhancing mitigation actions across countries in the Asia-Pacific region towards achieving the global vision for a low carbon, sustainable future. Since 2012, the LCI has been supporting regional research, capacity development and networking activities related to low carbon development.

LCI framework brochure: https://www.apn-gcr.org/resources/items/show/1923

List of ongoing LCI projects: http://goo.gl/PC3KY

About LoCARNet

LoCARNet is a research network that promotes research to support the development of policies for low-carbon growth by enabling dialogue between scientists and policy makers. It facilitates the Asian region to move forward with low-carbon growth, with a number of ongoing favourable conditions to turn challenges into opportunities.

Website: http://lcs-rnet.org/past/about_locarnet.html