The Kitakyushu Urban Centre (KUC) conducts research and promote programmes with a primary focus on zero carbon, circular economies, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to act as a regional hub for these three areas in close collaboration with local and national authorities, private companies, universities, civic groups, international organisations and other stakeholders. We are also engaged in capacity building and supporting the transfer and implementation of Japan’s exceptional environmental technologies and expertise overseas in collaboration with Kitakyushu and other municipalities in Japan and other countries. We also organise lectures and talks at schools and to community groups and collaborate with local companies and organisations to help build sustainable societies.
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Zero Carbon
Efficient and effective solutions to different challenges can be identified by encouraging exchange between cities on decarbonisation. We promote decarbonisation in cities overseas by supporting opportunities for exchange between cities in Japan and other countries. We also help in developing human resources through inspection tours and training sessions, in addition to promoting the transfer of technology packages that contain the environmental management know-how of municipalities in Japan and business-focused solutions.
In FY2023, in addition to supporting the implementation of the Ministry of the Environment’s ‘City-to-City Collaboration for Zero Carbon Society’ programme, we also participated in research projects developed under the programme, thereby helping to build momentum for regional decarbonisation and supporting the transfer of exceptional decarbonisation technologies from Japanese local authorities and companies to cities overseas.
Collaboration between local authorities and stakeholders in the community (residents, businesses, other) are an indispensable part of efforts to take tangible actions in decarbonising the region. We are promoting decarbonisation by raising awareness among a diverse set of local stakeholders and developing human resources.
Circular Economy
The linear economic system of mass production, consumption and disposal has devastating impacts on the environment. It results in waste generation, pollution and biodiversity loss. We collaborate with international organisations, municipalities, universities, businesses and other stakeholders to support the formulation of policies at the local level and develop tangible projects to accelerate the transition to a circular economy (CE), an essential component in realising a decarbonised society.
（Photo: Waste plastic oil conversion system used in proof-of-concept tests）
（Photo: Clean-up activities with local primary schools）
(Illustration of the Kitakyushu Circular Economy Vision)
SDGs
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim for all countries to achieve 17 goals and 169 specific targets by 2030. Under the principle of ‘leave no one behind’, the SDGs call for all stakeholders—national governments, local authorities, companies, schools, organisations and individuals—to take action within the remaining timeframe. We are working on localising, or making the SDGs, now a universal language, more widely known in local communities in an easily understood and accessible way, and using the Goals as a holistic means of solving local problems.
(Photo: Using facilitation tools in the training programme)
Related Publications
Related Events
Seminar on City-to-City Collaboration for Zero Carbon Society 2025 – Contributing to Local Decarbonisation through Technology & International Solidarity –
The Fourth International Forum on Low Carbon Cities
Demonstration and Panel Discussion on Environment Friendly Soap-based Fire Fighting Foam “Shabondama Natural Foam”
Related Projects
Online Voluntary Local Review (VLR) Lab
IGES Activity on COP29
UNFCCC COP Special webpage
Related News
IGES Signed a Cooperation Agreement with Circular Regions to Promote Circular Economy from Regional and City Perspectives
【ISAP2021】 The 13th International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Pacific “The Decisive Decade: Towards Integrated Solutions to Climate, Biodiversity and Other Planetary Challenges”
