OU research informs report on climate change in Japan

An OU academic has led a British Academy-funded report which explores how Japan can respond to climate change requirements in a way which is fair to its society.

The report was published as one of seven in-depth reports exploring decarbonisation transitions in the Asia-Pacific as a whole, and China, India, Japan, and Australia specifically.

According to Dr Leslie Mabon, Lecturer in Environmental Systems in the OU’s Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, lead author for the report: "Just Transitions in Japan”, Japan has been criticised for a slow response to climate change.

The report outlines some of the issues that Japan and the Asia Pacific region face in making what it calls a just transition.

“The word “just” alludes to the fact that some regions and sectors within Japan depend heavily on systems which are powered by fossil fuels or produce high emissions, such as coal-fired power stations, oil refineries and steel works, “said Dr Mabon. “Taken against the backdrop of an aging, diminished workforce, less revenue and the lack of options in terms of natural resources, consideration needs to be given to how to make that transition fair.”

The report reviews existing understandings and interpretations of a just transition in Japan; regional and local challenges and opportunities, as they relate to the vision for decarbonisation laid out by Japan’s national government; and concludes with recommendations for training and upskilling workforces.

“When you put new infrastructures into communities and bring new jobs, you need to make sure that it is bringing benefits locally,” Dr Mabon added.

Dr Mabon will continue to share his findings with governments in Japan and in the UK and develop more research partnerships to progress this initiative.

“Our findings in Japan will become relevant for where the UK will be as a society in 10 to 20 years”, he said. “Looking at Japan now will give us an insight into the issues we will face in the UK, particularly in rural economies with aging and shrinking populations.”