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The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has launched its first Methane Reduction Roadmap, reinforcing its leadership as a Global Methane Pledge Champion. Methane is a potent short-lived climate pollutant, more than 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Reducing methane emissions offers rapid climate benefits, improved...

Lifestyle changes are an essential, complementary measure for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and, therefore, also an important ingredient to climate policy. Computational models of lifestyle changes and their contribution to climate change mitigation can provide valuable insights in support of decision-making by individuals and policymaking. In...

At Osaka Expo 2025, as part of Sustainability Week (October 5–13, 2025) at the Italy Pavilion, the Lombardy Region – DG for Environment and Climate – in collaboration with the Lombardy Green Chemistry Association, presents a workshop and an exhibition on circular economy, bioeconomy, AI for sustainability, agri-food innovation, and urban...

While global resource use and GHG emissions keep increasing, the circular economy (CE) has ascended to the forefront of global policy, business and research agendas. Through narrower, slower, and more closed material cycles, the CE aims to avoid waste and reduce virgin raw material demand, thereby potentially also mitigating energy demand and GHG...

At Osaka Expo 2025, EU pavillion organised nine in-person events over three days on circular economy. On September 23, 2025, the event organized a session on " Plastic planet: Innovating solutions for a cleaner tomorrow". Hotta of IGES was a panelist of the session. The session is available in Youtube.

Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with land-based activities being the primary source. Wastewater treatment plants (STPs) and river systems act as key pathways, concentrating and transporting these plastics from urban areas to the sea. This presentation establishes a direct link between these sources and their...

Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with land-based activities being the primary source. Wastewater treatment plants (STPs) and river systems act as key pathways, concentrating and transporting these plastics from urban areas to the sea. This presentation establishes a direct link between these sources and their...

The widespread issue of plastic pollution is increasingly affecting human health, with growing evidence of exposure, particularly in regions such as ASEAN, which are rich in aquatic resources. Microplastics and nanoplastics contaminate water bodies and are ingested by aquatic organisms. Given the high consumption of seafood in the region, humans...

This presentation outlines an initiative applying behavioral insights (BI) to reduce single-use plastics (SUPs) across the Asia-Pacific region. Phase I (2022-2024) implemented pilot projects in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Departing from traditional "rational choice" theories, the project utilized the "Levers of Behaviour...

Southeast and East Asia play a pivotal role in global efforts to end plastic pollution. ASEAN Plus Three countries are at the heart of this region, represented by the 10 Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan, Korea and the People’s Republic of China (hereafter, China). This region has become a hotspot for plastic...