Experts Discuss Latest Green, Digital Solutions for Localising the SDGs

On 6 December 2021, UNU-IAS co-hosted a symposium on the topic Green and Digital Transformation to Achieve the SDGs Locally, engaging experts from the public and private sectors. Panellists presented case studies on SDGs localisation through digital technologies and transforming socio-economic systems. It was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ).

Tokutaro Nakai (Vice Minister of the Environment of Japan) delivered opening remarks, stressing the importance of using digitalisation to achieve carbon neutrality and create a resilient and green society, in line with the Paris agreement and the SDGs. Yoshinobu Nisaka (Governor of Wakayama prefecture) described how Wakayama prefecture has been implementing a circular economy system using digitalisation (the Minabe-Tanabe Ume system, Workcations, and plastics management).

Akio Takemoto (UNU-IAS) reflected on his participation in COP26 and shared the latest international trends on climate change actions and local sustainability. He emphasised that inclusiveness and education were key in global climate action, and introduced UNU’s initiative to launch a postgraduate degree specialisation on the Paris Agreement.

Other case studies were presented by Hideki Shoda (Chaintope, Inc.), Koki Akiyoshi (VUILD, Inc.), and Koji Imai (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology).

Kazuhiko Takeuchi (Visiting Professor of UNU-IAS) summarised the symposium by concluding that the COVID-19 era had brought positive change in society’s approach to digitalisation. It has cast light on digital transformation as a key solution to achieving the SDGs locally and forging partnerships to accelerate the transition to decarbonised and sustainable local societies.