IGES Policy Briefs

This policy brief analyzes the position of air pollution in the SDGs, and makes recommendations for how air pollution could be better integrated into SDG implementation. The SDGs, with 17 goals, 169 targets, and even more indicators, were criticized by some for having too many goals and lacking a clear sense of priorities. However, this policy...

This policy brief identifies approaches that could help achieve better synergies in implementing three major global frameworks dedicated to sustainable development (SD), disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) on the ground via programmatic integration, collaboration, capacity, and innovation. The salient messages from...

Although it is more than decade since the passing of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) in the Philippines, creating policy direction towards the establishment of a sustainable solid waste management system, its implementation is still very limited at the local government unit (LGUs) level. This policy brief therefore...

Since the Rio+20 meetings in 2012, policymakers and experts have engaged in nearly two years of discussion on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This dialogue is expected to culminate in September 2015 with a post-2015 development agenda that will help frame how stakeholders can pursue development for the years ahead. The purpose of this policy...

Based on IGES original research surveying the policy preferences of companies in energy-intensive industries in Japan, China and Korea, this policy brief discusses the feasibility of implementing carbon pricing measures in these three countries. A rise in carbon prices accelerates the application of energy saving technology and a modest price is...

Enhancing quality should now be the foremost priority for educational development, and this policy brief presents an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Learning Performance Framework (LPF) to address both learning processes and educational contents. The LPF provides a roadmap for how stronger ESD can promote greater educational quality...

A series of decisions made at COP18 in Doha, Qatar imposes considerable restrictions on the use of the Kyoto mechanisms by countries that do not submit greenhouse gas reduction targets for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, including Japan. This policy brief overviews the limits to Japan’s use of the Kyoto mechanisms due to the...

This brief aims to classify the MRV (Measuring or Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) system of GHG emissions/reductions according to its object, aim, methodology and implementation body to demonstrate that there are significant differences between each type of MRV system. It also suggests the need to develop of new type of MRV system for...

This policy brief introduces the roles that local communities can play in monitoring changes in forest carbon stocks. It discusses lessons learnt from the Community Carbon Accounting Project, which is training local communities in Asia-Pacific countries on forest monitoring, from the perspectives of sustainable development and carbon accounting.