The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) conducts interdisciplinary policy research to support sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. From April 2013, IGES will begin its Sixth Phase Strategic Research Programme and seeks a number of dynamic individuals with extensive knowledge and experience to carry out the following activities.

(1) Asia has led the global economy as a centre of growth and production. However, we must take into account the current situation, where some of the planetary boundaries such as biophysical thresholds relating to climate change have been already crossed. Any economic development in Asia should, therefore, be based upon the concept of “leapfrogging” in which an innovative low-carbon development model has to be mainstreamed with a substantial decoupling between economic growth and environmental degradation.

(2) The principles underlying the growth in Asia should ensure sustainability and improving the quality of life and/or happiness (well-being). What we do know is that ”growth for the sake of growth” does not contribute to finding solutions to the critical problems such as poverty and depleting natural resources. Neither does it improve well-being nor is it, therefore, considered sustainable. For sustainability, social inclusion is an essential element. It could be strengthened based upon “social bonds,” which still continue to exist in Asia in many forms.

(3) Asia is expansive and diverse. As such, green economy will not evolve in the same manner in every country, but will take on various forms in line with the level of economic development modified by socio-cultural characteristics of each country. Thus, priority issues also differ from country to country. In developed nations, technological innovation and investment to promote transition towards a green economy are important. Emerging countries, with rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, have faced challenges including improvements of their social infrastructure, such as energy and transportation, and proper management of materials and wastes. For least developed countries, securing access to the basic services for daily life, such as energy, water and food, is most critical.

(4) In Asia, initiatives for sustainable development have been mainstreamed especially in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, conservation of natural resources and ecosystems services, and promotion of sustainable cities. Economic integration has certainly progressed in ASEAN and East Asia, and we must identify effective measures for policy harmonisation that should be taken within the region to keep on track towards green growth and to secure sustainable development.

(5) Several other important issues exist that have drawn global attention with regard to sustainability in Asia. For example, resilience is significant to the pursuit of sustainability in Asia which is globally the most vulnerable to natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes. Likewise, how to ensure the sustainability of consumption patterns by middle-income consumers, who have been gradually gaining power in emerging countries, is a significantly important issue in order to keep human activities within planetary boundaries.

(6) IGES intends to provide solutions to these daunting challenges by generating meaningful impacts on policies, and developing strategies at all levels. Thus, operations of IGES in the next phase should include clarification of target policy processes and messages; solution-oriented and trans-science policy research; and multi-stakeholder networking to secure opportunities to ensure that relevant proposals are inputted into policy processes. It is also important to introduce quantitative analysis into policy assessment and to take a systems analysis approach to understand the structure connecting the diverse factors associated with the issues concerned. Furthermore, effective outreach activities should be performed to deliver research results to domestic and international stakeholders.

(7) Considering the above mentioned background, IGES will conduct the Sixth Phase Strategic Research Programme in the following seven areas:
   - Climate and Energy
   - Natural Resources and Ecosystem Services
   - Sustainable Consumption and Production
   - Green Growth and Green Economy
   - Integrated Policies for Sustainable Societies
   - Business and the Environment
   - Sustainable Cities

In addition, IGES will conduct networking activities and provide technical assistance from two overseas offices (Beijing Office and Regional Centre based in Bangkok).

Note: Details of each research theme may be modified in the course of discussion at the board meetings taking place before the initiation of the Sixth Phase.