The Regional Circulating and Ecological Sphere (Regional-CES) stands as a cornerstone concept articulated in Japan’s Fifth Basic Environmental Plan, offering a transformative approach to sustainable development. Jointly orchestrated by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), this pioneering initiative strategically targets Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia.

In the scoping project, national workshops serve as dynamic platforms for introducing and seamlessly integrating the Regional-CES concept into the fabric of existing projects within each country. These structured workshops facilitate discussions, insightful reflections, and the identification of strategic entry points for the application of Regional-CES, enhancing resilience and sustainability.

Active engagement of young researchers enriches the initiative, providing them with unique opportunities to participate in international collaborations and deepen their understanding of the Regional-CES framework.

This initiative rigorously assesses the potential of Regional-CES in Southeast Asia, introducing the concept, exploring viable integration avenues, and comprehensively understanding challenges. Aligned with APN’s overarching mission, this project actively contributes to advancing global change research and fostering sustainable development across the dynamic landscape of the Asia-Pacific region.